Stacked Actors
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"Stacked Actors" is a song by American rock band Foo Fighters which was released as a single in January 2000 from their 1999 third album ''
There Is Nothing Left to Lose ''There Is Nothing Left to Lose'' is the third studio album by American rock band Foo Fighters, released on November 2, 1999, through Roswell and RCA Records. It marked the first appearance of drummer Taylor Hawkins, and is often seen as a depa ...
''. It was only released as a limited edition commercial single in Australia exclusively, however radio
promotional singles A promotional recording, or promo, or plug copy, is an audio or video recording distributed free, usually in order to promote a recording that is or soon will be commercially available. Promos are normally sent directly to broadcasters, such as ...
were released in other countries for radio airplay. The song is a playable track in the game '' Guitar Hero: Metallica'' and as downloadable content for ''
Rock Band 3 ''Rock Band 3'' is a 2010 music video game developed by Harmonix. The game was initially published and distributed by MTV Games and Electronic Arts, respectively, in late October 2010. Mad Catz took over both roles and re-released the title on N ...
''.


Musical style

Justin Gerber of ''
Consequence of Sound ''Consequence'' (previously ''Consequence of Sound'') is an independently owned New York-based online magazine featuring news, editorials, and reviews of music, movies, and television. In addition, the website also features the Festival Outlook ...
'' described "Stacked Actors" as "one of the heaviest songs the band has recorded" and "a grungy call to Grohls' past". Tim Coffman observed that the song showed Grohl "embracing his heavy metal dreams". It also has
jazzy Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a major f ...
verses and ending as well, which are notably softer than the opening and choruses.


Lyrics

Dave Grohl on the song: : ''"'Stacked Actors' is a response to living in Hollywood for about a year and a half, and my disdain and disgust of everything plastic and phony, which is the foundation of that city. And I just hated it. I had a lot of fun, but I had a lot of fun hating it."'' : ''"I wrote 'Stacked Actors' about everything that is fake and everything that is plastic and glamorous and unreal, so if that pertains to anyone that comes to mind then there you go."'' : ''"It's about having nothing better to do than trying to be other people, it really grossed me out. Actors, just in general make me fucking sick."'' : ''"Living in Hollywood always seemed transitional to me. Truth be told, I fucking hated Hollywood, hated the whole life, hated most of the people we met. That's what I'm saying in 'Stacked Actors'." Grohl dismissed rumors that the song was about
Courtney Love Courtney Michelle Love (née Harrison; born July 9, 1964) is an American singer, guitarist, songwriter, and actress. A figure in the alternative and grunge scenes of the 1990s, her career has spanned four decades. She rose to prominence as ...
.


Live performances

On September 3, 1999, the Foo Fighters played a secret gig at the Troubador in
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playing using the pseudo band name Stacked Actors. The song was played at almost every show from 1999 until 2013. These version often features extended solos and a drum solo. The song was resurrected in 2019 and was played in its normal album version.


Reception and accolades

"Stacked Actors" was ranked number 5 on ''WhatCultures ''10 Underrated Hard Rock Songs of the 90s'' in 2020.


Track listing

#"Stacked Actors" #"Ain't It the Life" (Live Acoustic at 2 Meter Session 22 Nov 1999) #"Floaty" (Live Acoustic at 2 Meter Session 22 Nov 1999)


Other versions

* A live version recorded in Sydney Australia, January 24, 2000 was released on the Australian Generator single and the Japanese Breakout single. * Two live versions were released on the
Everywhere but Home ''Everywhere but Home'' is a live DVD by the Foo Fighters, released November 25, 2003. It contains five concerts taken from their '' One by One'' tour. Track listing Toronto (Live At Arrow Hall, Toronto, Canada; 7th July 2003) # " All My Life" ...
DVD, recorded in
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and Reykjavik. * A live version filmed at Hyde Park on June 17, 2006 was released on the Live at Hyde Park DVD. * A live version filmed at
Wembley Stadium Wembley Stadium (branded as Wembley Stadium connected by EE for sponsorship reasons) is a football stadium in Wembley, London. It opened in 2007 on the site of the original Wembley Stadium, which was demolished from 2002 to 2003. The stadium ...
on June 6, 2008 was released on the Live at Wembley Stadium DVD.


Chart positions


References

{{Authority control 1999 songs 2000 singles Foo Fighters songs Song recordings produced by Adam Kasper Songs written by Dave Grohl Songs written by Nate Mendel Songs written by Taylor Hawkins RCA Records singles American heavy metal songs