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)
Keep the Car Running
Goo Goo Dolls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There are times that I feel no matter what I do, it's wrong
I've walked these streets alone just living day by day
I can even feel it now, don't tell me what I'm feeling now
You shook my dreams away
Tired of waiting around
Now, what are we becoming
All the answers I know
Never taking it slow
Just it keep it coming
Keep the car running
I'm not leaving without you, you're the one I can't lose
Say goodbye to all the things in life that tried to pull us down
Yeah, we'll make something of nothing
Yeah, yeah keep the car running
And I can hear the sound of that dream
Where the engines fill the boulevard
Innocence is never lost
When you feel it pounding in your heart
Don't tell me it over now
This ain't the time to rest
Bruised and battered, torn and tattered
Look at me, it doesn't matter
Still got some fight left
Tired of waiting around
Now, what are we becoming
Keep the car running
All the answers I know
Never taking it slow
Just it keep it coming
Keep the car running
I'm not leaving without you, you're the one I can't lose
Say goodbye to all the things in life that tried to pull us down
Yeah, we'll make something of nothing
Yeah, yeah keep the car running
We are, we are, we are the start of something new
Close your eyes and come with me just along to
We are, we are, we are the only thing that's true
Just believe it's you and me and know that we can't lose
Tired of waiting around
Now, what are we becoming
Keep the car running
All the answers I know
Never taking it slow
Just it keep it coming
Keep the car running
I'm not leaving without you, you're the one I can't lose
Say goodbye to all the things in life that tried to pull us down
Yeah, we'll make something of nothing
Yeah, yeah keep the car running
We are, we are, we are the start of something new
Keep the car running
We are, we are, we are the only thing that's true
Keep the car running
The lyrics in "Keep the Car Running" by Goo Goo Dolls speaks to a feeling of perseverance, hope, and determination in the midst of adversity. The first stanza acknowledges the feeling of hopelessness, but also recognizes a desire to keep pushing regardless of the obstacles faced. The chorus repeats the refrain to "keep the car running," which serves as a metaphorical representation to keep moving forward and not giving up.
The bridge of the song reinforces the idea that the dream of overcoming obstacles and achieving their goal is still alive, no matter how bruised and battered they may feel. The second half of the song drives forward with positive energy, proclaiming that the start of something new is coming, and the listener should close their eyes and let themselves be swept up in the moment.
Overall, the lyrics in "Keep the Car Running" are about resilience, perseverance, and hope. It's about pushing through difficult times, not giving up, and knowing that the dream can be achieved. No matter how many times it seems like life is trying to pull you down, there's always the opportunity to make something out of nothing.
Line by Line Meaning
There are days when I feel that everything that's good is gone
I sometimes feel like all that used to be good in my life is no longer there
There are times that I feel no matter what I do, it's wrong
I feel like I can't do anything right, no matter how hard I try
I've walked these streets alone just living day by day
I've been wandering around aimlessly, with no real purpose
I can even feel it now, don't tell me what I'm feeling now
I know how I feel right now, so please don't try to tell me how I should feel
You shook my dreams away
You destroyed my hopes and dreams
Tired of waiting around
I'm done with being patient
Now, what are we becoming
I'm wondering what we're evolving into
Keep the car running
Let's keep moving forward
All the answers I know
I have all the solutions I need
Never taking it slow
I don't believe in taking things at a leisurely pace
Just it keep it coming
I want to keep the momentum going
I'm not leaving without you, you're the one I can't lose
I need you to come with me and I won't leave without you
Say goodbye to all the things in life that tried to pull us down
Let's leave behind all the negative things that have held us back
Yeah, we'll make something of nothing
We'll create something great out of nothing
We are, we are, we are the start of something new
We are the beginning of a new journey
Close your eyes and come with me just along to
Join me on this adventure, close your eyes and let me guide you
We are, we are, we are the only thing that's true
Our connection is the only genuine thing in this world
Just believe it's you and me and know that we can't lose
If we have each other, we can overcome any obstacle
Lyrics © IMAGEM U.S. LLC
Written by: JOHN RZEZNIK, JOHN SHANKS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
enyerom
I prefer this version to the album. more feeling to it.
Brian Grey
enyerom me too
ReeseSucksAtLife 68
I find solace in Johnny's voice. He's been a constant in my life
for many, many years. Awesome song.
Hudson DaReal
The more often I hear this the greater and better it sounds.
Absolutely great and fantastic song and perfect performing! =)
tommyf63 snow
such a great song. makes me love this band more and more. should of been a top hit
Hans Peter
It's for you a top hit and that's the most important thing! .... For me also a top hit. ;-)
Cheers and all the best.
Jesse Lee Humphry
+tommyf663 It would have been if they'd made this the leading single. They didn't. It was Rebel Beat, Come To Me, and Caught In The Storm
sekirosakai
I can listen to this group forever. One of my top 5 favorite bands
Sweet J
What are the other 4?
christina rager
love this song