Behind the Scenes of a Queens of the Stone Age Timeless Hit: An Uncommon Gem Emerged from the 'Noughties', Boasting a Unique Sonic Identity

In the realm of modern rock, few songs have left an indelible mark like "No One Knows" by Queens of the Stone Age. Released as a single in November 2002, this track from their third album, Songs For The Deaf, quickly became a mainstay on alternative radio and is now considered the definitive Queens of the Stone Age song.

The song's iconic riff, played staccato in C standard tuning (C F Bb Eb G C), is a testament to the band's innovative approach to music. It consists of the C minor octave powerchord shape, with a unique twist: the pinky finger moves from the 10th-fret F note to the 8th-fret D# note on the second string, and then down to the 9th-fret C note on the third string.

At the heart of "No One Knows" is a powerful performance by Dave Grohl on drums, considered one of his all-time best. His inhuman consistency and live-sounding, warm production add a layer of depth to the song. Interestingly, after the drums were recorded, only the cymbals were recorded using a dummy snare and toms that were padded to be as quiet as possible.

The haunting, seductive falsetto by band leader Josh Homme complements Grohl's drumming perfectly. Homme, often hailed as one of the purest rock star frontmen of the new millennium, has been known to use the Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive and a Fulltone FatBoost FB-3 pedals, while his preferred guitars around the time of "No One Knows" included the Ovation Ultra GP, Gibson Marauder, and Maton MS500.

Produced by Eric Valentine, "No One Knows" showcases interesting studio tricks and features a production that is warm and live-sounding, with guitars that are thick without relying on 7-string gut-punch. The song's timeless quality and its difficulty to categorize have contributed to its enduring popularity.

The music video for "No One Knows", created by Dean Karr and Michel Gondry, depicts the band driving through the desert, hitting a deer, and committing grand theft auto. This surreal and captivating visual accompaniment further cemented the song's place in rock history.

With "No One Knows", Queens of the Stone Age demonstrated their ability to create music that is both innovative and timeless, pushing the boundaries of rock music while maintaining a raw, live-sounding quality. It remains a staple in their repertoire, with the second-most plays after "Go With The Flow". The use of vintage, undesirable gear in a creative manner was responsible for both the album's signature tones and the difficulty others find trying to recreate them.

Behind the Scenes of a Queens of the Stone Age Timeless Hit: An Uncommon Gem Emerged from the 'Noughties', Boasting a Unique Sonic Identity