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)
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Goo Goo Dolls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Glory to the newborn King
Peace on Earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With angelic hosts proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem
Glory to the newborn King
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With angelic hosts proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem
Hark, the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King
The lyrics of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" by Goo Goo Dolls are a modern rendition of the traditional Christmas carol. The song begins with the proclamation and celebration of the angels as they sing about the glory of the newborn king. This king refers to Jesus Christ, who has come into the world.
The angels declare that with the birth of the newborn king, there is peace on Earth and mercy. This speaks to the hope and salvation that Jesus brings to mankind. Through his birth, the divide between God and sinners is reconciled, meaning that through Jesus, sinners can find forgiveness and redemption.
The second verse emphasizes the universality of the joyous occasion. It calls upon all nations to rise up and join in the triumph of the skies. The skies symbolize the heavens and the realm of divine beings. The angelic hosts join in proclaiming the birth of Christ in Bethlehem, signifying the importance and significance of this event.
The chorus repeats the proclamation of the angels, urging everyone to listen and join in celebrating the newborn king. The phrase "Glory to the newborn King" is an expression of praise and adoration for the arrival of Jesus. The repetition reinforces the powerful and joyful nature of the message, inviting listeners to feel the same excitement and awe as the angels.
Overall, the lyrics of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" capture the essence of the Christmas story, emphasizing the joy, hope, and peace that Jesus brings to the world. It serves as a reminder of the significance of Christ's birth and invites all nations to partake in the celebration of this miraculous event.
Line by Line Meaning
Hark, the herald angels sing
Listen, the messengers of God are singing
Glory to the newborn King
Praise and honor to the recently born King (Jesus)
Peace on Earth and mercy mild
May there be peace and gentle forgiveness on Earth
God and sinners reconciled
God and humanity who have sinned are now in harmony
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Feel happiness, all you nations, and stand up
Join the triumph of the skies
Participate in the victory celebrations happening in the heavens
With angelic hosts proclaim
With the angelic army, announce and declare
Christ is born in Bethlehem
Jesus has been born in Bethlehem
Hark, the herald angels sing
Listen, the messengers of God are singing
Glory to the newborn King
Praise and honor to the recently born King (Jesus)
Lyrics © Public Domain
Written by: Traditional
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ThePineryGuy
The way this song is sung, such a beautiful voice , and along with the lyrics that come in to play in everyday life scenes is so artistically beautiful 😊
@GammaRays134
Johnny's voice is 👌🔥 on this album
@lindalonic2545
I agree! This one gave me shivers.
@Sprklnstrwbrygrly
This gave me chills and tears. We really needed this right now. Well done!!!
@rhondaschjenken7156
Christmas with out my famiy not cool
@udontknowme01
Omg!! John’s voice is amazing for these Christmas melodies. Definitely a new favorite classic. So happy now! Still obsessed with his unique voice. 🥰😍😘🎄🎄
@latenightanarchy1345
Goosebumps! His voice is so dreamy.
@sajidcoloma9277
The best modern version I've heard so far! Many people comment on Johnny's face now, but remember he's a singer, and a very good one. His voice is angelic on this one!
@godwillguideme.3773
The Goo Goo Dolls did a perfect classic new Christmas album. So natural and effortlessly beautiful. What a gifted band....great job!
@TNTMan93
This is my favorite of the whole album ✝️