* Johnny Rzeznik - Vocals, guitar (Founding member)
* Robby Takac - Vocals, bass (Founding member)
* Mike Malinin - Drums (Hired in 1995, made official member in 1998)
Founded in Buffalo, New York, the Goo Goo Dolls, who were then known as the "Sex Maggots," initially consisted of John Rzeznik, Robby Takac, and George Tutuska. The band changed their name to the Goo Goo Dolls (the name was picked out from an ad in a True Detective magazine) at the request of a local club owner who refused to let them play otherwise. They were originally signed on by Metal Blade Records, and they released their self-titled debut album in 1987.
In their early career, they were often dismissed by critics as " The Replacements wannabes." While they were embraced by college radio and the local punk scene (Playing such venues as CBGB's), especially after the release of their third album, Hold Me Up (1990), it was not until 1995, with the release of their single "Name," (from the album A Boy Named Goo) that the Goo Goo Dolls experienced any commercial success. Their mainstream success, however, was bittersweet as they faced a lengthy legal battle with Metal Blade Records over royalties that were being withheld from the band; hence, the Goos eventually switched to Metal Blade's parent company, Warner Brothers. In 1998, "Iris" was released on the City of Angels soundtrack, and the Goos were propelled to stardom, as the song stayed on the Billboard charts at number one for 18 weeks and was nominated for three Grammys that year. The song was also included on their fifth album, "Dizzy Up the Girl," which was released that same year.
As of February 2007, The Goo Goo Dolls broke the record of having the most top 10 songs on the AC Charts, with 12 top 10 hits! Beating out Matchbox 20 and Sheryl Crow with only 10 hits.
Acoustic #3
The Goo Goo Dolls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With the lies they told you
And the least they ever gave you
Was the most you ever knew
And I wonder where these dreams go
When the world gets in your way
What's the point in all this screaming
Your voice is small and fading
And you hide in here unknown
And your mother loves your father
'Cause she's got nowhere to go
And she wonders where these dreams go
'Cause the world got in her way
What's the point ever trying
Nothing's changing anyway
They pres their lips against you
And you love the lies that they say
And I tried so hard to reach you
But you're falling anyway
And you know I see right through you
'Cause the world gets in your way
What's the point in all this screaming
You're not listening anyway
The Goo Goo Dolls' Acoustic #3 is a song about the harsh realities of life and how dreams can seem unfulfilled when the world seems to get in the way. The lyrics paint a picture of a person who has been painted with secrets and lies, leading them to only know the least while having to bear the most. The song mentions screaming and how it seems pointless because no one is listening, highlighting how sometimes trying to make oneself heard is useless when people only believe what they want to believe. The second verse is about a person whose voice is small and fading, who hides in obscurity, and whose only solace is in the love between their mother and father. But the world seems to get in the way of their dreams, and everything seems pointless.
The chorus of the song is the same for both verses, emphasizing how dreams can seem to vanish as life progresses. At the end of the song, the lyricist speaks directly to the person who seems to be falling apart, saying that he can see right through them, and how it seems pointless to scream and try to make people see things differently when they do not want to. The song is a powerful message of understanding the harsh realities of how the world can stop dreams from coming true.
Line by Line Meaning
They painted up your secrets
People twisted and distorted your private thoughts and feelings
With the lies they told you
They used false information to manipulate and control you
And the least they ever gave you
The minimum amount of help and support was all you received
Was the most you ever knew
Those small gestures were the extent of your positive experiences
And I wonder where these dreams go
I question the fate of your aspirations and hopes
When the world gets in your way
When obstacles and challenges prevent you from achieving your dreams
What's the point in all this screaming
Yelling and complaining will not change your situation
No one's listening anyway
Nobody is paying attention or taking your concerns seriously
Your voice is small and fading
You are losing confidence and becoming less influential
And you hide in here unknown
You are keeping a low profile and avoiding attention
And your mother loves your father
Your mother is devoted to your father despite any difficulties
'Cause she's got nowhere to go
She feels trapped and unable to escape her current situation
And she wonders where these dreams go
She ponders the uncertain fate of her own aspirations
'Cause the world got in her way
Her ambitions and goals are hindered by various obstacles
What's the point ever trying
Attempting to succeed seems futile and pointless
Nothing's changing anyway
No matter what she does, her situation remains the same
They press their lips against you
They manipulate and deceive you physically and emotionally
And you love the lies that they say
You are convinced by their false promises and flattery
And I tried so hard to reach you
I made every effort to connect with and help you
But you're falling anyway
Despite my best efforts, you are still struggling and losing hope
And you know I see right through you
You recognize that I can see your true situation and feelings
'Cause the world gets in your way
External factors prevent you from achieving personal growth and success
What's the point in all this screaming
Continuing to express frustration and anger won't lead to any meaningful change
You're not listening anyway
People are too consumed by their own problems to pay attention to your struggles
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JOHN RZEZNIK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
CaptLateNight
They painted up your secrets
With the lies they told to you
And the least they ever gave you
Was the most you ever knew
And I wonder where these dreams go
When the world gets in your way
What's the point in all this screaming
No one's listening anyway
Your voice is small and fading
And you hide in here unknown
And your mother loves your father
'Cause she's got nowhere to go
And she wonders where these dreams go
'Cause the world got in her way
What's the point in ever trying
Nothing's changing anyway
They press their lips against you
And you love the lies they say
And I tried so hard to reach you
But you're falling anyway
And you know I see right through you
'Cause the world gets in your way
What's the point in all this screaming
You're not listening anyway
Kelliann O'Flanagan
Am I the only soul that wishes there were like 50 more lines in this hauntingly beautiful melody????!!!
Tiffy Jean
no ur not
Katlyn Klassen
Short is what makes it bes
Rachel Fay
Pandemic Year 3 She Got A Divorce
Jennifer Hendrickson
You're not. This is one of my very favs by them (amongst many favs, but this one is near top of the heap). It's just gorgeous and unforgettable.
Annie Kotich
You’re right, so understated. Love !
Daniella Taylor Kelly
This literally got me through some of the toughest times when I was a teen growing up in a volatile household.
Dmnthygtshlds2
That's beautiful I'm glad you discovered it when you did
CaptLateNight
They painted up your secrets
With the lies they told to you
And the least they ever gave you
Was the most you ever knew
And I wonder where these dreams go
When the world gets in your way
What's the point in all this screaming
No one's listening anyway
Your voice is small and fading
And you hide in here unknown
And your mother loves your father
'Cause she's got nowhere to go
And she wonders where these dreams go
'Cause the world got in her way
What's the point in ever trying
Nothing's changing anyway
They press their lips against you
And you love the lies they say
And I tried so hard to reach you
But you're falling anyway
And you know I see right through you
'Cause the world gets in your way
What's the point in all this screaming
You're not listening anyway
Christopher
The best Goo Goo Dolls song most have never heard.