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!

Listen in Spotify

Goo Goo D'olives

Videos