The Foo Fighters’ first number-one single on Billboard’s Alternative Songs chart was “Learn to Fly.” Released in 1999, it was the lead single from the band’s third album, There Is Nothing Left to Lose.
The song marked an important breakthrough for the group. It was also the Foo Fighters’ first appearance on the Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at number 19. At the time, Billboard called the relevant radio chart Modern Rock Tracks; it was later renamed Alternative Songs, so both names refer to the same chart lineage.
Dave Grohl wrote “Learn to Fly” with bassist Nate Mendel and drummer Taylor Hawkins. Its lyrics describe wanting guidance or inspiration, while Grohl later explained that the song was partly connected to his interest in learning to pilot an aircraft. The accompanying music video became especially memorable for its comedy premise and won the Grammy for Best Short Form Music Video in 2001.
A common mix-up is “The Pretender,” which became one of the band’s biggest later rock hits, but “Learn to Fly” reached the milestone first.