Very Good Songs: Goo Goo Dolls
Forget what you know. The Goo Goo Dolls are good, not bad. Yes, their name is a bit goofy, and John Rzeznik has had more pretty hairstyles than Jennifer Aniston, and he and bassist/vocalist Robby Takac love to bop around on stage like silly geese, and they are mostly known for their immensely popular ballads, and sometimes you just get so caught up in Johnny’s dreamy eyes you forget the world around you exists… BUT… what was I saying… oh yeah, these hardworking lads from Buffalo have put out a slew of hook-laden, power pop goodness since the late 80s. So please put aside your rock snob biases and distaste for sub-par tattoos and listen to my expertly curated play list of below.
Quick Takes:
- Johnny gave a nice shout out on “Live from Daryl’s House” to Bob Mould and Hüsker Dü that sadly fell on deaf ears. Despite this, please enjoy this lovely rendition/duet of “Iris” with Daryl.
- I played the shit out of “Hold Me Up” in the early 90s and I distinctly remember taking it out of my CD Boom Box to give a new record by Nirvana a whirl.
- Saw them twice in concert in mid 90s, once opening for Soul Asylum at the Troc in Philly. Fantastic show.
- “Slide” came out right before I got hitched (I’m very old) and when it came on the radio and my wife and I heard the line “Do you want to get married…,” we say “Sure, why not?” Cool story, Jeff!
- I once made a little video featuring one of my favorite Goo Goo Doll jams and here it is!
Track | Album | Year |
Just the Way You Are | Hold Me Up | 1990 |
There You Are | Hold Me Up | 1990 |
So Outta Line | Hold Me Up | 1990 |
Hey | Hold Me Up | 1990 |
Fallin’ Down | Superstar Car Wash | 1993 |
Cuz You’re Gone | Superstar Car Wash | 1993 |
Girl Right Next To Me | Superstar Car Wash | 1993 |
Stop The World | Superstar Car Wash | 1993 |
We Are The Normal | Superstar Car Wash | 1993 |
String Of Lies | Superstar Car Wash | 1993 |
Long Way Down | A Boy Named Goo | 1995 |
Naked | A Boy Named Goo | 1995 |
Name | A Boy Named Goo | 1995 |
Slide | Dizzy Up The Girl | 1998 |
Broadway | Dizzy Up The Girl | 1995 |
Black Balloon | Dizzy Up The Girl | 1995 |
Iris | Dizzy Up The Girl | 1995 |