The video is a takeoff on Mentos commercials. They are made in Europe, and the commercials had a campy feel that became a big part of pop culture in the US. In each spot, someone gets a moment of inspiration after eating a mint and is then able to overcome some obstacle. In one spot, a woman's car is boxed in, so she gets some burly construction workers to pick it up and move it for her. In another, a kid acts like a roadie to get backstage at a concert.
The video shows the band in similar situations, solving problems with the aid of their own special candy called Foo-tos. Unfortunately for The Foo Fighters, Mentos make great projectiles and for years fans would throw the candy at them when they played this. It won the 1996 MTV Video Music Award for Best Group Video.
Grohl wrote this and many other songs on the album when he was still the drummer for Nirvana. Kurt Cobain knew he wanted to pursue projects outside of Nirvana, and had no problem with it.
This song was often covered by Weezer when the Foo Fighters and Weezer toured together in 2005.
The Foo Fighters released an acoustic version with Petra Haden singing with Dave Grohl for their 2006 live CD Skin and Bones.
In the video for the Foo Fighters song "Monkey Wrench," which Grohl directed, a soothing version of "Big Me" plays as elevator music. Grohl commissioned the electronic act The Moog Cookbook, which had covered "Smells Like Teen Spirit" to his liking, to create this rendition for the video. The full electro version of "Big Me" can be heard on the Moog Cookbook compilation album Bartell.
Big Me
Foo Fighters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Carries on
Reasons only knew
When I talk about it
Aries or treasons all renew
Big me to talk about it
I could stand to prove
I know that it's true
Well, I talked about it
Carried on
Reasons only knew
But it's you I fell into
When I talked about it
Carries on
Reasons only knew
When I talk about it
Aries or treasons all renew
Big me to talk about it
I could stand to prove
If we can get around it
I know that it's true
Well, I talked about it
Put it on
Never was it true
But it's you I fell into
Well, I talked about it
Put it on
Never was it true
But it's you I fell into
I fell into
I fell into
The lyrics of Foo Fighters' Big Me are somewhat introspective and complex, as they involve a person (presumably the singer himself) engaging in a dialogue with himself concerning his feelings about someone he's fallen for. The first line, "When I talk about it, carries on, reasons only knew," suggests that the singer has been discussing his feelings about his love interest with someone (presumably a close friend) and is unsure about the reasons why he's so taken with her. He then mentions that when he talks about her, he feels like his emotions are being renewed ("Aries or treasons all renew"), indicating that he's excited and energized by this relationship.
The chorus of the song, "Big me to talk about it, I could stand to prove, if we can get around it, I know that it's true," suggests that the singer wants to delve further into his emotions and examine them in detail in order to prove to himself that his feelings for this person are genuine. He later admits that he's been discussing this person with others, but it's actually her that he's fallen into ("But it's you I fell into"). The repeated lines "I fell into" reiterate the idea that he's helpless and succumbing to his feelings, regardless of whether he knows the reasons behind them.
Line by Line Meaning
When I talk about it
Every time I bring up this subject
Carries on
It continues to be a topic of conversation
Reasons only knew
I'm not even sure why I keep talking about it
When I talk about it
Again, whenever I bring this up
Aries or treasons all renew
It doesn't matter what angle I approach it from, it always leads to trouble
Big me to talk about it
I need to convince myself to speak up about it
I could stand to prove
I want to support my point of view with evidence
If we can get around it
Maybe if we find a different way to approach it
I know that it's true
I have no doubt that what I'm saying is correct
Well, I talked about it
I've brought it up before
Carried on
Kept discussing it
But it's you I fell into
But somehow, it always comes back to being about you
Put it on
I tried to make it seem like it was true
Never was it true
But in reality, it was all a lie
I fell into
I got caught up in it
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: David Grohl
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheRealLange21
Lyrics: Dave Grohl
Lead Vocals: Dave Grohl
Backup Vocals: Dave Grohl
Lead Guitar: Dave Grohl
Rhythm Guitar: Dave Grohl
Drums: Dave Grohl
Bass: Dave Grohl
Production: Dave Grohl
Dave Grohl is the fuckin' man.
@tuingtuing9620
Lyric:
When I talk about it
Carries on
Reasons only knew
When I talk about it
Aries or treasons all renew
Big me to talk about it
I could stand to prove
If we can get around it
I know that it's true
Well, I talked about it
Carried on
Reasons only knew
But it's you I fell into
When I talked about it
Carries on
Reasons only knew
When I talk about it
Aries or treasons all renew
Big me to talk about it
I could stand to prove
If we can get around it
I know that it's true
Well, I talked about it
Put it on
Never was it true
But it's you I fell into
Well, I talked about it
Put it on
Never was it true
But it's you I fell into
I fell into
I fell into
@brynkeller4387
This is so positive it hurts.
@brynkeller4387
+Bryn Keller I've just realized how fucking depressing I am to those around me. Jesus Christ.
@TheNightrain99
+Bryn Keller it's cool bro - not too late - look at the bright side of things
@brynkeller4387
+Davos Nix STOP IT
NO
@TheNightrain99
Bryn Keller too easy man, no worries
@laurynasnera8529
That's the point
@rogerbuds19
Pat Smear is a relatively unsung hero. His work in The Germs was visceral and thrilling. He also made the In Utero tour what it was adding that extra layer of sound, incredible stage presence and energy. And then in videos like this, you see just how much personality he really does bring to everyone he plays with, without ever stealing the spotlight.
Pat, we love you.
@timkingsemail
Guy ALWAYS looks like he's having a great time onstage
@simonealbertini5580
Pat Smear sucks
@maminpospolit5895
@@simonealbertini5580 why so?