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)
Stop the World
Goo Goo Dolls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You need somethin' that you ain't been getting
Yeah, I could be the one
To tell you what to do, but it don't mean nothing
And you're holding on forever
But that something just ain't true
I'm just like you
And I know
Here I go
Cause I couldn't stop the world, cause I loved you
I couldn't stop the world, and I don't want to
I couldn't stop the world, and I won't
Cause it ain't enough
You had another bad day
You let me know that you just can't take it
I've given up on you
You live in truth and I know I can't fake it
Cause the stars you see on dirty sidewalks
And they ain't for wishin', ooh
They don't come true
And I know, it's what I'd do
Here I go
Cause I couldn't stop the world, 'cause I loved you
I couldn't stop the world, and I don't want to
I couldn't stop the world, and I won't
Cause it ain't enough
Am I too young for the world?
I'm not too young for the world
And I can't change for the world
(I don't need to stop the world)
'Cause I don't care for the world
(I'm too young, I'm too young)
I don't make sense to the world
(I don't need to stop the world)
(I'm too young, I'm too young)
The lyrics of Goo Goo Dolls' "Stop the World" convey mixed feelings of love, helplessness, and self-awareness. The opening lines suggest a sense of obligation to be there for someone who needs emotional support. The singer understands that the other person needs someone to hold them, someone to tell them what to do, but they also realize that it may not be enough. Despite the ongoing struggles and a false sense of security, the truth is that "something just ain't true," and the singer cannot change it.
The chorus "I couldn't stop the world, 'cause I loved you" emphasizes a hopeless desire to protect the one they love from the pains of the world. Though the world is chaotic and unfair, the singer is willing to stay by the other person's side, conveying their passion for love. However, it also shows the acknowledgment that they cannot be a superhero and that their love cannot outright "stop the world."
The bridge contrasts the singer's anxieties towards the world as we find them wondering whether they are too young for the world. The lines "Am I too young for the world? / I'm not too young for the world / And I can't change for the world," imply that the individual is uncertain about their capability to handle the world's harshness or to alter their personality.
Overall, Goo Goo Doll's "Stop the World" is a song about love, helplessness, and self-awareness. The lyrics highlight the pain and uncertainty when trying to make someone's life more accessible while trying to come to terms with the hard-hitting facts of the world.
Line by Line Meaning
You need someone to hold you
You are feeling lonely and need someone to comfort and support you
You need somethin' that you ain't been getting
You are feeling unfulfilled and are missing something important in your life
Yeah, I could be the one
I am willing to be there for you and help you through your struggles
To tell you what to do, but it don't mean nothing
Although I can offer advice, ultimately it is up to you to decide what to do with your life
And you're holding on forever
You are clinging to something that is not serving you well
But that something just ain't true
The thing you are holding onto is not real or genuine
I'm just like you
I understand your struggles and can empathize with your pain
And I know
I am aware of the difficult situation you are in
It's what I'd do
If I were in your shoes, I would feel the same way and make similar choices
Here I go
I am ready and willing to take action to help you
Cause I couldn't stop the world, cause I loved you
I would do anything for you, but unfortunately, I cannot control the world or the challenges you face
I couldn't stop the world, and I don't want to
Even if I could stop the world to make things easier for you, I know that it would not be helpful in the long run
I couldn't stop the world, and I won't
I will not pretend that everything is okay or try to shield you from reality
Cause it ain't enough
Even though I care for you deeply, my love and support is not enough to solve all your problems
You had another bad day
You are experiencing ongoing difficulties and setbacks
You let me know that you just can't take it
You have reached a breaking point and are struggling to cope with the challenges you face
I've given up on you
I have lost faith in your ability to overcome your challenges on your own
You live in truth and I know I can't fake it
I respect your honesty and recognize that pretending everything is okay is not helpful or productive
Cause the stars you see on dirty sidewalks
The things you hope for and dream of are often difficult to attain and may require hard work and persistence
And they ain't for wishin', ooh
Your dreams will not come true simply by wishing for them
They don't come true
Success and happiness require effort, sacrifice, and dedication
Am I too young for the world?
I am questioning whether I am ready and capable of facing the challenges and complexities of the world
I'm not too young for the world
Although I may doubt myself, I know that I have the strength and resilience to face whatever the world throws at me
And I can't change for the world
I refuse to betray my values or compromise my integrity in order to fit in with what the world expects of me
(I don't need to stop the world)
I recognize that I cannot control the world or the challenges it presents
Cause I don't care for the world
I do not feel a strong attachment or loyalty to the society or culture I live in
(I'm too young, I'm too young)
Despite my doubts and fears, I am still young and have a lot to learn and experience in life
I don't make sense to the world
I may not fit in with the norms or expectations of the world, but that's okay
(I don't need to stop the world)
I am content to do my own thing and chart my own path in life
(I'm too young, I'm too young)
I may not have all the answers, but I am still young and hopeful about the future
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JOHN RZEZNIK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind