Prior to the album A Boy Named Goo, his bandmate, Robby Takac was the lead singer. During the era of the album Superstar Carwash, they collaborated on several songs. Although Rzeznik transitioned into becoming the lead vocalist, both men still share the duties of writing songs for the band's albums, and Takac still sings lead vocals on several songs.
Rzeznik has always been a fan of Fender guitars. He used many variations such as the Stratocaster, Telecaster, Jaguar, and a "Halfcaster" (a Stratocaster cut in half). He used Guild acoustics as well. But as of late he seems to be experimenting the Gibson Les Paul guitars, and semi hollow body guitars. He also uses acoustic Taylor Guitars.
The last name "Rzeznik" (which, spelled 'Rzeลบnik', means 'butcher' in Polish) indicates his Polish ancestry -- his parents (Joseph and Edith Rzeznik) are both immigrants from Poland. He has four older sisters (Phyllis, Fran, Glad and Kate), and often jokingly complains it's "...one of the worst things that can happen to a man." Unfortunately, his father died of alcoholism when Johnny was fourteen, and his mother the following year from heart problems. He got an apartment on his own and turned "punk". He was the only punk at his school, Buffalo's McKinley Vocational High School, where he was studying to be a plumber. The band Goo Goo Dolls happened instead.
Rzeznik believes that writing is a vocational thing. Inspiration comes rarely when it does come at all, and even when it does, he claims that you still have to hammer the information out. Music isn't all play. He says he often runs tape and "messes around with stuff", just singing and playing what he feels and keeping the things he likes. He says that it takes a lot of digging around but eventually you will find a nugget of something that is true. He says that he writes the music first and then forms the words around the music. He says that music inspires words to come forth. He says just pull lyrics from things around you such as past feelings in life, or movies you saw. It's everywhere you just have to use it. Oftentimes his songs are about himself. [citation needed]
Around 1998, Rzeznik claimed to have "writer's block" when it came to song-writing. However, he claims that his block was broken when Goo Goo Dolls were approached to write a song for the movie City Of Angels. The resulting song, "Iris", is arguably Goo Goo Doll's biggest hit to date. "Iris" is also featured in "Dizzy Up the Girl". From this album, the Goo Goo Dolls released "Slide" and "Black Balloon", which were both commercially successful.
In recent times, Rzeznik has focused some of his attention on producing music for various artists. He wrote a couple of songs for Ryan Cabrera's debut album Take It All Away. The traditional Goo Goo Dolls sound is very evident on Cabrera's song "Illusions".
Rzeznik wrote the single "Better Days" (released winter 2005), and co-wrote "Stay With You" (released April 2006), both from 2006 album Let Love In.
Wish You Were Here
Johnny Rzeznik Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Heaven from hell
Blues skies from pain
Can you tell a green field
From a cold steel rail
A smile from a veil
Do you think you can tell?
Everybody that hates
Before it's too late
So proud to be free
But who can we blame
Don't be ashamed
Do you think we can change
How I wish
How I wish you were here
We're one lost soul swimming in a fish bowl
Year after year
Running over the same old ground
What have we found
The same old fears
Wish you were here
We don't need
Need anymore pain
We just need to remain on the very same page
So much to gain
No more losing a friend
We're losing ourselves
We just need your help
So glad you're here
So glad you're here
The song "Wish You Were Here" by Johnny Rzeznik is a reflection on the human experience, asking whether we can truly differentiate between good and bad, joy and pain, truth and deceit. The chorus, "How I wish you were here," expresses a desire for someone to be present and help navigate through the difficulties of life. The lyrics emphasize the importance of unity, reflecting on the pain of losing a friend and the need to stay connected and aligned to face the world together.
The first verse asks whether one can distinguish heaven from hell or a green field from a cold steel rail, questioning our ability to perceive and understand the world around us. The second verse reflects on the current state of society and the need for change, acknowledging that we all have some degree of responsibility for the state of the world. The chorus brings the focus back to a personal level, expressing a longing for someone to help carry the burden of life.
Line by Line Meaning
So, so you think you can tell
Do you believe you have the discernment to distinguish certain things?
Heaven from hell
Easily differentiate between extreme pleasure and extreme pain?
Blues skies from pain
Separate happiness from sorrow?
Can you tell a green field
Can you identify and appreciate life's natural beauty?
From a cold steel rail
And differentiate it from the man-made, artificial reality?
A smile from a veil
Can you perceive true emotion or intent behind a facade?
Do you think you can tell?
In summary, do you really think you have the ability to discern anything?
So, do you think we can change?
Do you believe that we as a society can improve?
Everybody that hates
Those who possess animosity towards others?
Before it's too late
Before the opportunity to make a positive impact is lost?
So proud to be free
We celebrate our personal liberties and freedoms?
But who can we blame
In light of society's issues, who can we assign responsibility to?
Don't be ashamed
Rather than guilt or shame, we should focus on solutions?
Do you think we can change
Similar to before, do you truly believe that reform is achievable?
How I wish
The singer expresses strong desire or yearning?
How I wish you were here
He deeply misses a person he cares about?
We're one lost soul swimming in a fish bowl
The artist feels aimless, confined, and vulnerable in society?
Year after year
These feelings have persisted over an extended duration of time?
Running over the same old ground
Despite the passage of time, the singer feels stuck in the same place?
What have we found
Despite our attempts at progress, what have we truly achieved?
The same old fears
We are still riddled by the same anxieties and apprehensions as before?
Wish you were here
The artist deeply wishes the person they miss could be with them?
We don't need
The singer argues that there are certain things we should not desire?
Need anymore pain
We should avoid suffering additional emotional distress?
We just need to remain on the very same page
Instead, everyone should be aligned towards a common, united goal?
So much to gain
Should this unity be achieved, there is much to be won as a result?
No more losing a friend
We cannot continue to destroy relationships with one another?
We're losing ourselves
Rather, our lack of solidarity is taking a toll on the collective identity?
We just need your help
Finally, the artist implores someone to help guide them towards change and betterment?
So glad you're here
Grateful that this person has decided to help enact the change we need?
Lyrics ยฉ Ultra Tunes, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: David Gilmour, Roger Waters
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@primorai246
So, so you think you can tell
Heaven from hell
Blues skies from pain
Can you tell a green field
From a cold steel rail
A smile from a veil
Do you think you can tell?
So, do you think we can change?
Everybody that hates
Before it's too late
So proud to be free
But who can we blame
Don't be ashamed
Do you think we can change
How I wish
How I wish you were here
We're one lost soul swimming in a fish bowl
Year after year
Running over the same old ground
What have we found
The same old fears
Wish you were here
We don't need
Need anymore pain
We just need to remain on the very same page
So much to gain
No more losing a friend
We're losing ourselves
We just need your help
So glad you're here
So glad you're here
@vanessao.e.a.3027
๐บ๐ธ ๐บ๐ธ ๐บ๐ธ ๐บ๐ธ ๐บ๐ธ
So, so you think you can tell
Heaven from hell
Blues skies from pain
Can you tell a green field
From a cold steel rail
A smile from a veil
Do you think you can tell?
So, do you think we can change?
Everybody that hates
Before it's too late
So proud to be free
But who can we blame
Don't be ashamed
Do you think we can change
How I wish
How I wish you were here
We're one lost soul swimming in a fish bowl
Year after year
Running over the same old ground
What have we found
The same old fears
Wish you were here
We don't need
Need anymore pain
We just need to remain on the very same page
So much to gain
No more losing a friend
We're losing ourselves
We just need your help
So glad you're here
So glad you're here
@Zefirestone
This is from a concert in New York City just a few weeks after 9/11/2001. Smoke from the ruins was still drifting across lower Manhattan. Many great artists took part, but Limp Biskit singing this song was the heart-wrenching moment..."wish you were here"....for all the friends, neighbors, family members we lost that day.
@nanettelandstrom7422
<3
@serenehorizons3305
๐๐ฆ
@momagic383
How this memory only had ten votes is stunning. Thanks for sharing.
@JaytheCraze
I was a high school senior that year, watching this and it hitting like bricks out of nowhere - all the lyrics seemed to so eerily address every aspect of what had happened and then the emotion of โwish you were hereโ- on the day I am writing this is the first time I have watched it since despite recalling it often. Itโs just how I remember. Feels like we are back full circle to ... well... I will leave my thoughts at that- all the souls we lost these last 20 years...
@Maaarina.Renthleiinvictus182
What a remakable moment memory and deepest condolences to all victims.
@Pikesburgh
This is why Fred Durst is so massively underrated. All of Limp Bizkit is underrated. But Fred gets so much hate, even though he has one of the most unique, authentic styles.
@momagic383
Itโs cuz of Eminemโs reference in one of his songs, is my guess. Tbh I didnโt know who Fred Durst was at the time I heard him mentioned. So if thatโs your first recollection hearing someoneโs name, it clouds your opinion.
@shapelessshapefromthebay8759
โ@@momagic383 fEminem is a beta punk beotch in diapers with a big AZZ mouth, no hands, no feet.
@Jetspro100
20 years ago. Never forget being in the suburbs of NYC hearing the news about the twin towers. All the divisive politics in this country, never forget this was a time this whole country came together after this horrific tragedy. We will always be one, remember that.