Early in their career, the Goo Goo Dolls were frequently dismissed by critics as mere imitators of The Replacements; however, the band refined its sound to be more mainstream, which helped it become one of the most popular adult alternative rock bands of the latter half of the '90s, selling millions of records to audiences largely unfamiliar with their inspirations. That's no bitch on the band, either -- their music simply improved in craft and accessibility as the years progressed, and radio happened to be receptive to what a decade earlier would have been considered collegiate power pop. Thus, the band landed two huge hits with the acoustic ballads "Name" and "Iris."
Originally a cover band with a taste for power pop and classic rock & roll, the group soon began writing its own songs. Their early sound recalled the The Replacements' origins as a bratty punk band (circa Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash) -- melodic, snotty, and a little bit thrashy. That sound was the reason the band attracted the interest of the heavy metal label Metal Blade, which issued their debut album in 1987 (known either as The Goo Goo girls or First Release). 1989's Jed continued in a similar vein; the college radio breakthrough came with 1990's Hold Me Up, a Replacements-ish power pop record.
1993's Superstar Car Wash was the Goo Goo Dolls' artistic breakthrough; though it did nothing to quell the Replacements comparisons, it was a finely crafted pop/rock record, and its lead single, "We Are the Normal," was co-written with Replacements leader Paul Westerberg himself. Still, Superstar Car Wash wasn't the commercial force the band hoped it would be, especially in light of the success of similar bands like the Gin Blossoms. That all changed with 1995's A Boy Named Goo, when an L.A. rock station put the acoustic-driven ballad "Name" into heavy rotation. It was eventually released as a single nationwide, and went Top Five late in the year; platinum sales for the album followed close behind. Unfortunately, the original drummer was no longer around to enjoy the band's success; prior to the album's release, he'd been sacked and replaced by drummer Mike Malinin.
Dissatisfied with the royalty rates in their Metal Blade contract, the band waged a legal battle that wound up allowing them to jump to parent company Warner Brothers. Somewhat drained, Rzeznik and the band shook off a case of writer's block to contribute the ballad "Iris" to the soundtrack of the 1998 americanized version of City of Angels (Featuring Nicolas Cage and Meg Ryan). Appearing that April, the song was a monster smash, although it was never released as a single (so its official Top Ten pop chart status doesn't convey how popular it was); for a better indicator, "Iris" spent nearly a year on Billboard's airplay charts, including an astonishing 18 weeks at number one, and was nominated for three Grammys. The band's next album, Dizzy Up the Girl, was released in September, during the middle of "Iris"'s marathon airplay run, and sold over three million copies. Its clean, polished sound completed the Goo Goo Dolls' transformation into mainstream pop/rockers who happened to have alternative roots. Further hits from the record followed over the next year, including "Slide," "Dizzy," and the Grammy-nominated "Black Balloon," and the band toured heavily in support. The Goo Goo Dolls revamped their sound for 2001's career retrospective, Ego, Opinion, Art & Commerce. A year later, the trio hit the charts with "Here Is Gone" from their seventh studio album, Gutterflower. The CD/DVD combo Live in Buffalo: July 4, 2004 helped fans endure the long wait for the band's next studio album, Let Love In, which didn't appear until 2006. The band toured through the summer of 2007. The band released the first of two greatest hits compilation, entitled Greatest Hits Volume One: The Singles, November 13th 2007.
In February 2008, the band officially headed into studio to work on their new record.
In August 2010, the band released their ninth album, Something for the Rest of Us. In June 2013, the band's tenth studio album, Magnetic, was released. In December 2013, drummer Mike Malinin announced that he left the band.
In May 2016, the band released their eleventh studio album, Boxes. The Goo Goo Dolls' 12th studio album, Miracle Pill, was released on September 13, 2019.
Singles:
There You Are (Hold Me Up)
Just the Way You Are (Hold Me Up)
I'm Awake Now (Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare Soundtrack)
We Are the Normal (Superstar Car Wash)
Fallin' Down (Superstar Car Wash)
Only One (A Boy Named Goo)
Flat Top (A Boy Named Goo)
Name (A Boy Named Goo)
Long Way Down (A Boy Named Goo)
Naked (A Boy Named Goo)
Lazy Eye (Batman & Robin Soundtrack)
Iris (City of Angels Soundtrack/Dizzy Up the Girl)
Slide (Dizzy Up the Girl)
Black Balloon (Dizzy Up the Girl)
Dizzy (Dizzy Up the Girl)
Broadway (Dizzy Up the Girl)
Here Is Gone (Gutterflower)
Big Machine (Gutterflower)
Sympathy (Gutterflower)
Give A Little Bit (Live in Buffalo: July 4, 2004/Let Love In)
Better Days (Target's Sounds of the Season/Let Love In)
Stay With You (Let Love In)
Let Love In (Let Love In)
Before It's Too Late (Sam & Mikaela's Theme) (Transformers Soundtrack)
Home (Something for the Rest of Us)
Real (AT&T Team USA Soundtrack)
Not Broken (Something For The Rest Of Us)
Better Days /Album Version
Goo Goo Dolls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I try to make this kind and clear
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
'Cause I don't need boxes wrapped in strings
And designer love and empty things
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
So take these words and sing out loud
'Cause tonight's the night the world begins again
I need some place simple where we could live
And something only you can give
And that's faith and trust and peace while we're alive
And the one poor child who saved this world
And there's ten million more who probably could
If we all just stopped and said a prayer for them
So take these words and sing out loud
'Cause everyone is forgiven now
'Cause tonight's the night the world begins again
I wish everyone was loved tonight
And somehow stop this endless fight
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
So take these words and sing out loud
'Cause everyone is forgiven now
'Cause tonight's the night the world begins again
'Cause tonight's the night the world begins again
The Goo Goo Dolls' Better Days is a song that speaks of hope, faith, and forgiveness. The song starts with the lead singer being asked about his wants for the year, and he expresses that he does not need material possessions, but rather a chance for better days. The song's message is that the world has been through tough times, and we need to come together to create a better future. The singer believes that forgiveness is key to moving forward and creating a more peaceful world. He urges the listeners to sing along and forgive, saying that everyone is forgiven now, and tonight's the night the world begins again.
The singer later expresses his desire for a simple life with someone he loves and trusts, where they can find faith and live in peace. He acknowledges the one poor child who saved this world, referring to Jesus Christ, and believes that there are millions who can do the same if only we would stop and pray for them. He wishes that everyone would be loved tonight and that the endless fight would stop. The song's title and lyrics suggest that there is hope for a brighter future, and all we need to do is come together and make it happen.
Line by Line Meaning
And you asked me what I want this year
Someone asked me what I wanted this year
And I try to make this kind and clear
I attempted to make my answer kind and clear
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
All I want is the possibility of better days
'Cause I don't need boxes wrapped in strings
I don't want material possessions
And designer love and empty things
I don't value superficial relationships or objects
So take these words and sing out loud
Listen to my words and sing them aloud
'Cause everyone is forgiven now
Forgive others and let go of resentment
'Cause tonight's the night the world begins again
Tonight marks the start of a new beginning
I need some place simple where we could live
I desire a simple place to live
And something only you can give
I want something that only you can provide
And that's faith and trust and peace while we're alive
I seek faith, trust, and peace during our lifetime
And the one poor child who saved this world
I acknowledge the child who saved the world
And there's ten million more who probably could
Perhaps there are ten million more who could do the same
If we all just stopped and said a prayer for them
If we all just took a moment to pray for them
I wish everyone was loved tonight
I hope everyone feels loved tonight
And somehow stop this endless fight
I wish for an end to this ongoing conflict
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
I'm just hoping for the possibility of better days
'Cause tonight's the night the world begins again
This evening marks a fresh start for the world
Lyrics Β© BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JOHN RZEZNIK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
michaell1962
I have a daughter who's been addicted to heroin for the last 10 years. She was a stunningly beautiful green-eyed redhead, sensitive & caring person, but the drugs have turned her into someone I no longer know. Although it seems like there is very little hope of her ever getting clean, please say a prayer for her.
I wish everyone was loved tonight
And somehow stop this endless fight
Just a chance that maybe she'll find better days
Love you Vanessa!
Daddy
Edit on 6-30-23: My daughter passed away yesterday from an OD. My wife & I are heartbroken. Finally, my baby girl is at peace now. Thanks to all who replied to this post. I appreciate all of your kind thoughts. Much love to you all.
Yhan Imrie
And you asked me what I want this year
And I try to make this kind and clear
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
'Cause I don't need boxes wrapped in strings
And designer love and empty things
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
So take these words and sing out loud
'Cause everyone is forgiven now
'Cause tonight's the night the world begins again
I need some place simple where we could live
And something only you can give
And that's faith and trust and peace while we're alive
And the one poor child who saved this world
And there's ten million more who probably could
If we all just stopped and said a prayer for them
So take these words and sing out loud
'Cause everyone is forgiven now
'Cause tonight's the night the world begins again
I wish everyone was loved tonight
And somehow stop this endless fight
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
So take these words and sing out loud
'Cause everyone is forgiven now
'Cause tonight's the night the world begins again
'Cause tonight's the night the world begins again
Limits98
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
And you ask me what I want this year
And I try to make this kind and clear
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
Cause I don't need boxes wrapped in strings
And designer love and empty things
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
[Chorus]
So take these words
And sing out loud
Cause everyone is forgiven now
Cause tonight's the night the world begins again
[Verse 2]
I need someplace simple where we could live
And something only you can give
And that's faith and trust and peace while we're alive
And the one poor child who saved this world
And there's 10 million more who probably could
If we all just stopped and said a prayer for them
[Chorus]
So take these words
And sing out loud
Cause everyone is forgiven now
Cause tonight's the night the world begins again
[Bridge]
I wish everyone was loved tonight
And somehow stop this endless fight
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
[Chorus]
So take these words
And sing out loud
Cause everyone is forgiven now
Cause tonight's the night the world begins again
[Outro]
Cause tonight's the night the world begins again
Brittany McKay
This song helped me get through the worst days and nights of my addiction recovery. I knew there better days ahead of me. I am proud to say that I am 1 year and 9 days clean and sober.
Marion Loesch
Congrats love you should be very proud of yourself.
Brittany McKay
@Marion Loesch I am very proud of myself. I am currently 402 days clean as of today.
Marion Loesch
@Brittany McKay it always feels so good when you can get past a certain point where you haven't given into your addiction the reason I say this is cuz I have addiction to pornography and I'm proud to say that I'm not viewed it in 6 months.
Brittany McKay
@Marion Loesch That's good and keep it going. I am proud of you
Brandy Webster
Congratulations! It does keep getting better! (Three years and two months off IV heroin/fentanyl)
AqsticG
im genuinely surprised no one knows the true history behind this song. this was a love letter to orphans around the world since reznick was an orphan himself. this song is way deeper and has a stronger meaning than people give it credit for and this song will never not make me cry with hope.
Patrick Wayne
Thank You for reminding us Brother.
PutGodFirst 11
Wowzers! That's deep it should have a lot more views! God Bless them all!
N
This makes the song x100 better.