Sonic Highways
Updated: 5/24/2026, 6:53:51 PM Wikipedia source
Sonic Highways is the eighth studio album by American rock band Foo Fighters, released on November 10, 2014, through Roswell and RCA Records. Similar to their previous album, Wasting Light (2011), it was produced by the band with Butch Vig. In writing the album's eight songs, singer and guitarist Dave Grohl traveled to eight cities across the United States to conduct interviews with musicians, recording engineers, record producers, and other individuals discussing each city's musical history, which he used as inspiration for the songs' lyrics. The band and Vig then traveled to a different recording location in each city to record the songs. Each track features contributions from one or more musicians with ties to that city's musical history. The process was filmed for a companion television series, Foo Fighters: Sonic Highways, which was broadcast on HBO in the months surrounding the album's release.
Infobox
Released
November 10, 2014 (2014-11-10)
Recorded
September 2013 – July 2014
Studio
Electrical Audio (Chicago) Inner Ear (Arlington) Southern Ground (Nashville) 6A (Austin) Rancho De La Luna (Joshua Tree) Preservation Hall (New Orleans) Robert Lang (Seattle) Magic Shop (New York City)
Genre
Alternative rock hard rock post-grunge rock and roll
Length
42:08
Label
Roswell RCA
Producer
Foo Fighters Butch Vig
Tables
Professional ratings · Critical reception
Source
Source
Aggregate scores
Source
Aggregate scores
Rating
AnyDecentMusic?
AnyDecentMusic?
Aggregate scores
AnyDecentMusic?
Aggregate scores
6 /10
Metacritic
Metacritic
Aggregate scores
Metacritic
Aggregate scores
68/100
Review scores
Review scores
Aggregate scores
Review scores
Source
Source
Aggregate scores
Source
Aggregate scores
Rating
AllMusic
AllMusic
Aggregate scores
AllMusic
Aggregate scores
The A . Club
The A . Club
Aggregate scores
The A . Club
Aggregate scores
B−
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
Aggregate scores
The Daily Telegraph
Aggregate scores
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Aggregate scores
Entertainment Weekly
Aggregate scores
B
The Guardian
The Guardian
Aggregate scores
The Guardian
Aggregate scores
NME
NME
Aggregate scores
NME
Aggregate scores
7/10
Pitchfork
Pitchfork
Aggregate scores
Pitchfork
Aggregate scores
5 /10
Q
Q
Aggregate scores
Q
Aggregate scores
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Aggregate scores
Rolling Stone
Aggregate scores
Uncut
Uncut
Aggregate scores
Uncut
Aggregate scores
8/10
| Aggregate scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AnyDecentMusic? | 6 /10 |
| Metacritic | 68/100 |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | |
| The A . Club | B− |
| The Daily Telegraph | |
| Entertainment Weekly | B |
| The Guardian | |
| NME | 7/10 |
| Pitchfork | 5 /10 |
| Q | |
| Rolling Stone | |
| Uncut | 8/10 |
2014 weekly chart performance · Charts › Weekly charts
Australian Albums (ARIA)
Australian Albums (ARIA)
Chart (2014)
Australian Albums (ARIA)
Peak
position
1
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)
Chart (2014)
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)
Peak
position
3
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)
Chart (2014)
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)
Peak
position
1
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)
Chart (2014)
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)
Peak
position
4
Canadian Albums (Billboard)
Canadian Albums (Billboard)
Chart (2014)
Canadian Albums (Billboard)
Peak
position
3
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)
Chart (2014)
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)
Peak
position
4
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)
Chart (2014)
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)
Peak
position
2
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)
Chart (2014)
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)
Peak
position
5
French Albums (SNEP)
French Albums (SNEP)
Chart (2014)
French Albums (SNEP)
Peak
position
18
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
Chart (2014)
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
Peak
position
2
Greek Albums (IFPI)
Greek Albums (IFPI)
Chart (2014)
Greek Albums (IFPI)
Peak
position
39
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)
Chart (2014)
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)
Peak
position
35
Irish Albums (IRMA)
Irish Albums (IRMA)
Chart (2014)
Irish Albums (IRMA)
Peak
position
5
Italian Albums (FIMI)
Italian Albums (FIMI)
Chart (2014)
Italian Albums (FIMI)
Peak
position
7
Japanese Albums (Oricon)
Japanese Albums (Oricon)
Chart (2014)
Japanese Albums (Oricon)
Peak
position
12
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)
Chart (2014)
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)
Peak
position
2
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)
Chart (2014)
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)
Peak
position
3
Polish Albums (ZPAV)
Polish Albums (ZPAV)
Chart (2014)
Polish Albums (ZPAV)
Peak
position
10
Portuguese Albums (AFP)
Portuguese Albums (AFP)
Chart (2014)
Portuguese Albums (AFP)
Peak
position
8
Scottish Albums (OCC)
Scottish Albums (OCC)
Chart (2014)
Scottish Albums (OCC)
Peak
position
2
Spanish Albums (Promusicae)
Spanish Albums (Promusicae)
Chart (2014)
Spanish Albums (Promusicae)
Peak
position
9
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)
Chart (2014)
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)
Peak
position
5
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)
Chart (2014)
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)
Peak
position
2
UK Albums (OCC)
UK Albums (OCC)
Chart (2014)
UK Albums (OCC)
Peak
position
2
US Billboard 200
US Billboard 200
Chart (2014)
US Billboard 200
Peak
position
2
US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard)
US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard)
Chart (2014)
US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard)
Peak
position
1
US Top Hard Rock Albums (Billboard)
US Top Hard Rock Albums (Billboard)
Chart (2014)
US Top Hard Rock Albums (Billboard)
Peak
position
1
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)
Chart (2014)
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)
Peak
position
1
| Chart (2014) | Peak position |
| Australian Albums (ARIA) | 1 |
| Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria) | 3 |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) | 1 |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) | 4 |
| Canadian Albums (Billboard) | 3 |
| Danish Albums (Hitlisten) | 4 |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) | 2 |
| Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista) | 5 |
| French Albums (SNEP) | 18 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) | 2 |
| Greek Albums (IFPI) | 39 |
| Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ) | 35 |
| Irish Albums (IRMA) | 5 |
| Italian Albums (FIMI) | 7 |
| Japanese Albums (Oricon) | 12 |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) | 2 |
| Norwegian Albums (VG-lista) | 3 |
| Polish Albums (ZPAV) | 10 |
| Portuguese Albums (AFP) | 8 |
| Scottish Albums (OCC) | 2 |
| Spanish Albums (Promusicae) | 9 |
| Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) | 5 |
| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) | 2 |
| UK Albums (OCC) | 2 |
| US Billboard 200 | 2 |
| US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard) | 1 |
| US Top Hard Rock Albums (Billboard) | 1 |
| US Top Rock Albums (Billboard) | 1 |
2014 year-end chart performance · Charts › Year-end charts
Australian Albums (ARIA)
Australian Albums (ARIA)
Chart (2014)
Australian Albums (ARIA)
Position
16
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)
Chart (2014)
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)
Position
61
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)
Chart (2014)
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)
Position
20
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)
Chart (2014)
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)
Position
110
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)
Chart (2014)
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)
Position
47
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
Chart (2014)
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
Position
72
Italian Albums (FIMI)
Italian Albums (FIMI)
Chart (2014)
Italian Albums (FIMI)
Position
72
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)
Chart (2014)
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)
Position
18
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)
Chart (2014)
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)
Position
65
UK Albums (OCC)
UK Albums (OCC)
Chart (2014)
UK Albums (OCC)
Position
26
US Billboard 200
US Billboard 200
Chart (2014)
US Billboard 200
Position
99
US Alternative Albums (Billboard)
US Alternative Albums (Billboard)
Chart (2014)
US Alternative Albums (Billboard)
Position
13
US Hard Rock Albums (Billboard)
US Hard Rock Albums (Billboard)
Chart (2014)
US Hard Rock Albums (Billboard)
Position
5
US Rock Albums (Billboard)
US Rock Albums (Billboard)
Chart (2014)
US Rock Albums (Billboard)
Position
20
| Chart (2014) | Position |
| Australian Albums (ARIA) | 16 |
| Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria) | 61 |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) | 20 |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) | 110 |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) | 47 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) | 72 |
| Italian Albums (FIMI) | 72 |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) | 18 |
| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) | 65 |
| UK Albums (OCC) | 26 |
| US Billboard 200 | 99 |
| US Alternative Albums (Billboard) | 13 |
| US Hard Rock Albums (Billboard) | 5 |
| US Rock Albums (Billboard) | 20 |
2015 year-end chart performance · Charts › Year-end charts
Australian Albums (ARIA)
Australian Albums (ARIA)
Chart (2015)
Australian Albums (ARIA)
Position
76
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)
Chart (2015)
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)
Position
32
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)
Chart (2015)
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)
Position
156
US Billboard 200
US Billboard 200
Chart (2015)
US Billboard 200
Position
126
US Hard Rock Albums (Billboard)
US Hard Rock Albums (Billboard)
Chart (2015)
US Hard Rock Albums (Billboard)
Position
3
US Rock Albums (Billboard)
US Rock Albums (Billboard)
Chart (2015)
US Rock Albums (Billboard)
Position
13
US Soundtrack Albums (Billboard)
US Soundtrack Albums (Billboard)
Chart (2015)
US Soundtrack Albums (Billboard)
Position
9
| Chart (2015) | Position |
| Australian Albums (ARIA) | 76 |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) | 32 |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) | 156 |
| US Billboard 200 | 126 |
| US Hard Rock Albums (Billboard) | 3 |
| US Rock Albums (Billboard) | 13 |
| US Soundtrack Albums (Billboard) | 9 |
Certifications for Sonic Highways · Certifications
Australia (ARIA)
Australia (ARIA)
Region
Australia (ARIA)
Certification
Platinum
Certified units/sales
70,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)
Austria (IFPI Austria)
Region
Austria (IFPI Austria)
Certification
Gold
Certified units/sales
7,500*
Canada (Music Canada)
Canada (Music Canada)
Region
Canada (Music Canada)
Certification
Platinum
Certified units/sales
80,000^
Germany (BVMI)
Germany (BVMI)
Region
Germany (BVMI)
Certification
Gold
Certified units/sales
100,000‡
Italy (FIMI)
Italy (FIMI)
Region
Italy (FIMI)
Certification
Gold
Certified units/sales
25,000*
Netherlands (NVPI)
Netherlands (NVPI)
Region
Netherlands (NVPI)
Certification
Gold
Certified units/sales
20,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)
New Zealand (RMNZ)
Region
New Zealand (RMNZ)
Certification
Platinum
Certified units/sales
15,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)
United Kingdom (BPI)
Region
United Kingdom (BPI)
Certification
Platinum
Certified units/sales
316,770
Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
Region
Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
| Australia (ARIA) | Platinum | 70,000^ |
| Austria (IFPI Austria) | Gold | 7,500* |
| Canada (Music Canada) | Platinum | 80,000^ |
| Germany (BVMI) | Gold | 100,000‡ |
| Italy (FIMI) | Gold | 25,000* |
| Netherlands (NVPI) | Gold | 20,000^ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ) | Platinum | 15,000^ |
| United Kingdom (BPI) | Platinum | 316,770 |
| Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||