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)
We Are The Normal
Goo Goo Dolls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The sun shines down for all of us
Just the same, you know I like the rain
That ain't so obvious
It's a beautiful sight, I guess everybody's right
This day belongs to all of us
Even still, I like mine with a chill
[Chorus]
We are the normal
We live and we die
With no reason why
We are the normal
We live and we die
With no reason why
It's a beautiful life, and I've got it in my sights
And that ain't for all of us
It's a beautiful sound
When my life comes crashin' down
That ain't so obvious
It's a beautiful sin, and I'm doin' it again
And that ain't for all of us
It's a beautiful life, and I've got it in my sights
Ain't that so obvious?
[Chorus: x3]
In "We Are The Normal," the Goo Goo Dolls explore the concept of normalcy and how it relates to individuality. The band acknowledges that everyone is different and that it's okay to have preferences that go against what is deemed as "normal" by society. The song begins with lead singer Johnny Rzeznik acknowledging that many people view a beautiful day as sunshine, but he personally enjoys rainy days. This sentiment is echoed in the second verse, where he admits to enjoying the beauty in life's downfalls, which is not a common perspective.
Despite these differences, the chorus asserts that "we are the normal." The band is reclaiming the word "normal" and using it to describe the fact that everyone has quirks and idiosyncrasies that make them unique. It's a reminder that there is no normal, as everyone has different preferences and perspectives, and that's what ultimately makes them normal in their own way.
Overall, "We Are The Normal" is a celebration of individuality and a reminder that it's okay to be different, as everyone is in their own way. The song encourages listeners to embrace what makes them unique, and to take pride in the fact that they are part of a larger, diverse community of "normal" individuals.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a beautiful day, I heard everybody say
Everyone says it's a great day, but that doesn't necessarily mean it is
The sun shines down for all of us
The world offers opportunities to everyone
Just the same, you know I like the rain
Despite this, I prefer the things that aren't so obvious
It's a beautiful sight, I guess everybody's right
Everyone thinks that what they see is beautiful, but that doesn't make it true for everyone
This day belongs to all of us
We all have the same right to enjoy the present moment
Even still, I like mine with a chill
But everyone has their own preferences and outlook on life
We are the normal
We are just like everyone else, living and dying without any specific reason
We live and we die
Life is finite and unpredictable
With no reason why
There may not be a specific reason for our existence
It's a beautiful life, and I've got it in my sights
I see the beauty in life, but not everyone has the same opportunities
And that ain't for all of us
We all face different circumstances and obstacles
It's a beautiful sound, when my life comes crashing down
There is beauty in the disasters and tragedies of life
That ain't so obvious
Not everyone sees the positive aspects of unfortunate events
It's a beautiful sin, and I'm doin' it again
I find pleasure in things that aren't considered socially acceptable or 'normal'
And that ain't for all of us
My choices and actions may not be suitable for everyone
It's a beautiful life, and I've got it in my sights
I am taking advantage of the opportunities and beauty of life
Ain't that so obvious?
Why can't everyone see the same beauty?
[Chorus: x3]
Repeated affirmation that we are all just living and dying without a clear reason
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GEORGE TUTUSKA, JOHN RZEZNIK, PAUL WESTERBERG, ROBBY TAKAC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@CraigTodd924
One of my absolute favorites..Been down with Goo for 30+ years now.
@FadzliTariq
Finally
@johnsurabian5522
<3