* 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.
Broadway
The Goo Goo Dolls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A little bit weaker than you used to be
Broadway's dark tonight
See the young man sittin' in the old man's bar
Waitin' for his turn to die
The cowboy kills the rock star
And Friday night's gone too far
On all the faded girls
Forgotten but not gone
You drink it off your mind
You talk about the world like it's someplace that you've been
You see, you'd love to run home, but you know you ain't got one
Cuz you're livin' in a world that you're best forgotten, around here
Broadway's dark tonight
A little bit weaker than you used to be
Broadway's dark tonight
See the young man sittin' in the old man's bar
Waitin' for his turn to die
You choke down all your anger
Forget your only son
You pray to statues when you sober up for fun
Your anger don't impress me
The world slapped in your face
It always rains like hell on the loser's day parade
You see, you'd love to run home, but you know you ain't got one
Cuz you're livin' in a world that you're best forgotten
When you're thinkin' you're a joke and nobody's gonna listen
To the one small point I know they've been missing around here
Broadway's dark tonight
A little bit weaker than you used to be
Broadway's dark tonight
See the young man sittin' in the old man's bar
Waitin' for his turn to die
You see, you'd love to run home, but you know you ain't got one
Cuz you're livin' in a world that you're best forgotten
When you're thinkin' you're a joke and nobody's gonna listen
To the one small point I know they've been missing around here
Round here, yeah
Round here
Broadway's dark tonight
A little bit weaker than you used to be
Broadway's dark tonight
See the young man sittin' in the old man's bar
Waitin' for his turn to die
The Goo Goo Dolls' "Broadway" is a haunting and melancholic ballad that tells the story of broken dreams and lost souls. The opening line sets the tone for the rest of the song: "Broadway's dark tonight, a little bit weaker than you used to be." It seems that the glory days of this famous street, which is often associated with fame, fortune, and opportunity, have faded into the past. The second verse expands on this idea, with the young man sitting in the old man's bar waiting for his turn to die. The mood is bleak, and the lyrics suggest that this is a world where people's dreams go to die, their hopes and ambitions unfulfilled.
As the song continues, we hear about the cowboy who kills the rock star, and the dim light that hides the years on all the faded girls. These images suggest that there is a sense of violence and decay in this world, and that people's lives are marked by disappointment and regret. The chorus repeats the opening line, emphasizing the idea that Broadway is no longer what it used to be.
There is a sense of resignation in the lyrics, as though the characters have given up on their aspirations and are simply waiting for the end to come. They drink to forget, they talk about the world as if they've been there before, and they pray to statues for fun. The song suggests that they are living in a world that is best forgotten, a world where people are forgotten but not gone.
Overall, "Broadway" is a powerful and moving song that captures the despair and disillusionment of those who have been left behind by the glamour of the world. It reminds us that even the most famous and successful places can become faded and forgotten, and that the dreams of those who once walked those streets can be shattered.
Line by Line Meaning
Broadway's dark tonight
The bright lights of Broadway have dimmed tonight
A little bit weaker than you used to be
It's not as vibrant as it used to be
Broadway's dark tonight
The darkness of the night highlights the fading glory
See the young man sittin' in the old man's bar
A youthful person sits among the old in a bar
Waitin' for his turn to die
He is waiting for his life to end
The cowboy kills the rock star
The rugged individualist triumphs over the glamorous performer
And Friday night's gone too far
The weekend revelry is out of control
The dim light hides the years
The poor lighting obscures the passage of time
On all the faded girls
The effect is most visible on the once-attractive women
Forgotten but not gone
People may have moved on, but the past still lingers
You drink it off your mind
You try to forget with alcohol
You talk about the world like it's someplace that you've been
You reflect upon life experiences as if you've been everywhere
You see, you'd love to run home, but you know you ain't got one
You wish to retreat to a place of comfort, but it doesn't exist
Cuz you're livin' in a world that you're best forgotten, around here
The present is too bleak to dwell on
You choke down all your anger
You suppress your frustration
Forget your only son
You've distanced yourself from your own child
You pray to statues when you sober up for fun
You engage in empty religious rituals when sober for amusement
Your anger don't impress me
Your rage doesn't command respect
The world slapped in your face
Reality dealt you a harsh blow
It always rains like hell on the loser's day parade
Misfortunes seem to pile up for those down on their luck
When you're thinkin' you're a joke and nobody's gonna listen
You feel like a laughingstock without an audience
To the one small point I know they've been missing around here
People are overlooking an important detail
Round here, yeah
This is how things are in this area
Broadway's dark tonight
The darkness is a metaphor for the fading glory of the past
A little bit weaker than you used to be
Things are not as vibrant as they have been in the past
Broadway's dark tonight
The darkness draws attention to the decline
See the young man sittin' in the old man's bar
The juxtaposition of youth and old age highlights the decay
Waitin' for his turn to die
The young man feels like there's no hope for the future
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JOHN RZEZNIK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ives3572
Broadway is dark tonight
A little bit weaker than you used to be
Broadway is dark tonight
See the young man sittin' in the old man's bar
Waitin' for his turn to die
The cowboy kills the rock star
And Friday night's gone too far
The dim light hides the years on all the faded girls
Forgotten but not gone
You drink it off your mind
You talk about the world
Like it's someplace that you've been
You see you'd love to run home
But you know you ain't got one
'Cause you're livin' in a world
That you're best forgotten around here
Broadway is dark tonight
A little bit weaker than you used to be
Broadway is dark tonight
See the young man sittin' in the old man's bar
Waitin' for his turn to die
You choke down all your anger
Forget your only son
You pray to statues when you're sober up for fun
Your anger don't impress me
The world slapped in your face
It always rains like hell on the losers day parade
You see you'd love to run home
But you know you ain't got one
'Cause you're livin' in a world
That you're best forgotten
When you're thinkin' of a joke
And nobody's gonna listen
To the one small point
I know they been missin' round here
Broadway is dark tonight
A little bit weaker than you used to be
Broadway is dark tonight
See the young man sittin' in the old man's bar
Waitin' for his turn to die
You see you'd love to run home
But you know you ain't got one
'Cause you're livin' in a world
That you're best forgotten
When you're thinkin' of a joke
And nobody's gonna listen
To the one small point
I know they been missin' round here, round here
Broadway is dark tonight
A little bit weaker than you used to be
Broadway is dark tonight
See the young man sittin' in the old man's bar
Waitin' for his turn to die
Very thought-provoking and relevant lyrics as you grow up and get older
@heathernikki5734
It's amazing how songs you liked at 15 mean so much more at 35
@zachschroeder5538
That is the truth!
@carsonhoberty9683
wait until you are in your 50s
@mindful_minipods
reminiscing
indulge in enjoyable recollection of past events. aka happy feeling. its human nature, enjoy the feeling 100%
@HybridSpektar
I got 10 more years for that, but I get what you mean.
@kurtschmidt5005
I was 15 when this was “new!”
@johnhagan9277
Why in the hell this band is so overlooked is beyond me. This dude is a lyrical genius and the music is freakin killer. They definitely don't get the respect they deserve...
@BoostAutoYT
Exactly them and Rob Thomas or Rob's band Matchbox 20... all super under recognized
@gutterflower65dc50
Amen to that! They deserve so much more credit than they get. John is truly a lyrical genius, and his voice is so amazing
@jerryjanik480
Because he's for Buffalo New York that's why he's overlooked
Just like another Buffalo singer like RickJames he only got his credit thanks to Dave Chappelle and Charlie Murphy