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)
Don't Beat My Ass
Goo Goo Dolls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I feel I'm out of luck
And all because of swollen glands
And just one stupid fuck.
This wacko came from Alabama and
That's not where it's at.
And now you're jock's been chasing me round
With a great big baseball bat.
Don't kick my ass
Don't kick my ass
Don't kick my ass with a baseball bat, no.
Well, I was in the mood for some love in bulk
Not a wrestling match with a some big hulk.
And this here dude he was an uncool cat
And he beat me 'bout my head with a baseball bat
Don't kick my ass
Don't kick my ass
Don't kick my ass with a baseball bat no
hen I got up from being beat to the ground
I started itchin' around like a blue-tick hound
And I was aghast at what I found
The latest social disease that's been going around
I'll kick your ass (I'll kick your ass)
I'll kick your ass (I'll kick your ass)
I'll kick your ass with a baseball bat bitch
The song "Don't Beat My Ass" by Goo Goo Dolls seems to be about a person who was attacked by someone from Alabama with a baseball bat. The lyrics express the singer's frustration and fear as they try to avoid further violence. He feels unlucky because he has swollen glands and one stupid mistake led him into this dangerous situation. He doesn't want to fight but wants to find love instead. However, the person who attacked him is not cool and continues to chase him with a baseball bat. The singer warns this person not to beat him again and also reveals that he has found out he has a sexually transmitted disease.
The lyrics of this song may have a deeper meaning about the people we encounter in life. The person who attacked the singer represents the negative and harmful people who we have to deal with sometimes. The singer may be expressing how these people can affect our lives and change our moods. They can make us feel out of luck, frustrated and fearful. He also may be warning others to be careful of such people and avoid violence.
Line by Line Meaning
Things don't look too good to me.
I am not feeling optimistic about my current situation.
I feel I'm out of luck
I believe that luck has not been on my side lately.
And all because of swollen glands
My physical health has become an obstacle for me.
And just one stupid fuck.
I have encountered one particularly unpleasant individual.
This wacko came from Alabama and
The unpleasant individual hails from the state of Alabama.
That's not where it's at.
I do not hold Alabama in high regard.
And now you're jock's been chasing me round
The unpleasant individual has enlisted the help of a jock to pursue me.
With a great big baseball bat.
The jock is wielding a baseball bat as a weapon against me.
Don't kick my ass
I implore you, do not physically harm me.
Don't kick my ass with a baseball bat, no.
In particular, I do not wish to be struck with a baseball bat.
Well, I was in the mood for some love in bulk
I desired a romantic encounter that would be passionate and fulfilling.
Not a wrestling match with a some big hulk.
Instead, I have found myself involved in a physical altercation with a large and intimidating individual.
And this here dude he was an uncool cat
The unpleasant individual in question was not behaving in a socially acceptable manner.
And he beat me 'bout my head with a baseball bat
The unpleasant individual resorted to attacking my head with a baseball bat.
Then I got up from being beat to the ground
I recovered from being brutally attacked.
I started itchin' around like a blue-tick hound
I became restless and agitated, resembling a hunting dog.
And I was aghast at what I found
I was shocked and dismayed by a discovery I made.
The latest social disease that's been going around
I have contracted a contagious illness that is currently spreading.
I'll kick your ass (I'll kick your ass)
In response to the unpleasant individual's violent actions, I am threatening to retaliate physically.
I'll kick your ass with a baseball bat bitch
Specifically, I plan to use a baseball bat to inflict harm upon the unpleasant individual.
Lyrics ยฉ BMG Rights Management
Written by: GEORGE TUTUSKA, JOHN T RZEZNIK, ROBERT C. JR. TAKAC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ekstadropsen
I love a lot of their newer stuff but this is definitely one of my favourites ๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃ
mrs_cat6234
it's extremely funny to hear a band that later did ultra-earnest downer music like 'black balloon' and 'iris' do super-silly stuff like this
MrJ0mmy
iris is a good song
Flying V
Greatness from small beginnings. That's what this is.
Jade Forester
' The band admitted in their 1999 VH1 Behind the Music special that the album was recorded under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Rzeznik stated "[We had] a lot of beer, a lot of truck stop speed, a lot of pot...[I] don't remember a lot of it." ' NO SHIT, SHERLOCK.
G Gates
Good Stuff!!!
Jay Miner
When the goos were really the goos
James Radski
Will the REAL GGD please stand UP!
Richard Thomas
I like them better when they were crude :(
NellaNella Official
Lmfao. ๐๐๐ 2018 ๐