* 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.
Burnin' Up
The Goo Goo Dolls Lyrics
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Your living from a personalized manual from hell.
Life is pretty (it seems so) easy when it's from my easy chair.
And you're burnin' up inside and no one's cares.
You said you had enough of this town, this town don't treat you well.
You always find coincidence, well I do parallel.
Come and take my hand tonight, I'll show you where to start.
'Cuz every word that left your lips, like a needle through my heart.
In the Goo Goo Dolls' song Burnin' Up, the lyrics depict the struggles of an individual who feels like they are slowly burning up inside but nobody seems to notice the pain they are going through. The person feels like they are living their life according to a personalized manual from hell, which indicates that their life is not going as expected and everything they do seems to end up going wrong. The song emphasizes the importance of having someone to reach out for when dealing with personal struggles.
The song also talks about the feeling of isolation and being misunderstood by others. The singer of the song expresses his frustration with the town he is living in and how he is not treated well. He believes that nobody can relate to his experiences in life, but the singer assures that he understands, using the lyrics "well, I do parallel" meaning he can relate, and he wants to help by showing him where to start.
As the song progresses, the singer pleads with the person to take his hand, and he promises to help him through his difficult time. The singer emphasizes that he understands the pain and suffering of the person, which are illustrated in the lyrics "every word that left your lips, like a needle through my heart." This line expresses how deeply he empathizes with the person's struggles and the emotional toll it is taking on him.
Line by Line Meaning
You said you're burnin' up inside, and no one seems to tell.
You expressed that you are struggling internally, but no one seems to notice or care.
Your living from a personalized manual from hell.
You're living according to a self-imposed set of standards that are causing you distress and pain, like a personal manual from hell.
Life is pretty (it seems so) easy when it's from my easy chair.
It's easy for me to think life is easy when I'm not the one experiencing your struggles, from the comfort of my own easy chair.
And you're burnin' up inside and no one's cares.
Despite your internal turmoil, no one seems to be concerned or willing to help.
You said you had enough of this town, this town don't treat you well.
You've had your fill of living in this town because it doesn't treat you kindly.
You always find coincidence, well I do parallel.
You consider the events in your life to be coincidences, but I see them as parallel occurrences - connected and meaningful.
Come and take my hand tonight, I'll show you where to start.
I'm offering to lend you a helping hand and guide you towards a new beginning.
'Cuz every word that left your lips, like a needle through my heart.
Your words have deeply affected me, piercing me emotionally like a needle through my heart.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: GEORGE TUTUSKA, JOHN T RZEZNIK, ROBERT C. JR. TAKAC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind