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)
Had Enough
Goo Goo Dolls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know what I need, but I won't follow, I can't lead
And when I stood there and I felt November chill
You crushed my heart, and I really lost my will
You think you understand the way it made me feel
I started to choke on you, 'cause I know what you fear
Had enough, and I don't really feel it
Had enough, but you really can't see it
But you'll see it for the first time in your life
If you had a brain, you'd be smart enough to change
Watch yourself, the thoughts of you plague no one else
And I stood there and I felt November chill
You broke my heart, and I really lost my will
You try to understand the way you make me feel
I started to choke on you, and I know what you fear
'cause I've had enough, and I don't really need it
Had enough, and I don't really feel it
Had enough, but you really can't see it
But you'll see it for the first time in your life
'cause I've had enough, and I don't really need it
Had enough, and I don't really feel it
Had enough, but you really can't see it
But you'll see it for the first time in your life
'cause I've had enough, and I don't really need it
Had enough, and I don't really feel it
Had enough, but you really can't see it
But you'll see it for the first time in your life
The lyrics of "Had Enough" by Goo Goo Dolls explore the feelings of frustration, disappointment, and hopelessness that arise from a deteriorating relationship. The singer is at a point where they can no longer endure their partner's behavior or stay in the relationship, but they don't know what to do or where to go. They express a desire for change, but they feel stuck and unable to break free from the pattern of their partner's behavior.
The lines "If I leave today, don't know where to go that I can stay / I know what I need, but I won't follow, I can't lead" suggest that the singer recognizes the need for change but feels incapable of making the necessary decisions. The reference to the November chill and the heartbreak that follows highlights the emotional turmoil that comes with a relationship's end. The singer accuses their partner of not understanding how they feel and suppressing their fears.
The chorus of the song, “'cause I've had enough, and I don't really need it / Had enough, and I don't really feel it / Had enough, but you really can't see it / But you'll see it for the first time in your life" reinforces the idea that the singer has reached the breaking point and is ready to move on. They express a conviction that even though the partner might not see it now, they will soon understand the gravity of the situation.
Line by Line Meaning
If I leave today, don't know where to go that I can stay
I am lost and uncertain about my future, with nowhere to find permanent comfort.
I know what I need, but I won't follow, I can't lead
I have a clear idea of what I want, but I lack the confidence and direction to pursue it.
And when I stood there and I felt November chill
In a moment of vulnerability, I was struck by a sense of cold isolation and desolation.
You crushed my heart, and I really lost my will
Your actions caused me deep emotional pain and made me lose all motivation and determination.
You think you understand the way it made me feel
You believe you comprehend the extent of my suffering, but you truly do not.
I started to choke on you, 'cause I know what you fear
I felt suffocated by your presence because I am aware of your insecurities and vulnerabilities.
'cause I've had enough, and I don't really need it
I have reached my limit and no longer desire to tolerate the pain and suffering you have caused me.
Had enough, and I don't really feel it
I have become numb to the pain and no longer allow it to affect me emotionally.
Had enough, but you really can't see it
You are unaware of the extent to which your actions have caused me harm.
But you'll see it for the first time in your life
You will soon realize the full consequences of your actions, and it will be an enlightening experience for you.
If you had a brain, you'd be smart enough to change
You have the ability to change your harmful behavior if you were intelligent enough to recognize the need for it.
Watch yourself, the thoughts of you plague no one else
Your negative thoughts and actions only harm yourself and have no impact on others.
You broke my heart, and I really lost my will
Your actions shattered my heart and left me feeling defeated and incapable of pursuing my desires.
You try to understand the way you make me feel
You attempt to comprehend the emotional turmoil you have caused me, but you cannot fully grasp it.
I started to choke on you, and I know what you fear
Your presence suffocates me and I am aware of your fears and vulnerabilities that contribute to this suffocation.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: G TUTSKA, J RZEZNIK, R TAKAC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind