Dave Grohl wrote “Everlong” while falling in love with Louise Post of Veruca Salt, shortly after the collapse of his first marriage. The drum track was actually recorded by Grohl himself after original drummer William Goldsmith quit the band out of frustration with the producer.
The song reached #3 on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart, but its legacy transcends rock radio. It famously became TV host David Letterman's all-time favorite song, and he had the band perform it upon his return from heart surgery in 2000 and again to close his final late-night broadcast in 2015. The song's dreamlike music video, directed by Michel Gondry, won the Best Group Video award at the 1998 MTV Video Music Awards.