* 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.
Flat Top
The Goo Goo Dolls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bringing home a new invention
See it there in pieces on the ground
A television war between the cynics and the saints
Flip the dial and that's whose side you're on
Sleeping on the White House lawn ain't never changed a thing
Look at all the washed out Hippie dreams
Is this some kinda joke they're trying to pull on us
Fallin' all around us
I turned my head off for a while
The tabloid generation's lost
Choking on it's fear
Used to be that's all we had to fear
Conscience keeps us quiet while the crooked loves to speak
His knowledge wrapped in blankets on the street.
A visionary coward says that anger can be power
As long as there's a victim on TV
And it's fallin' all around us
Is this some kinda joke they're trying to pull on us
Fallin' all around us
I turned my head off for a while
And my dirty dreams all come alive
On my TV screen
And assasination plots
Show me what I haven't got
Show me what I love, Who I'm supposed to be
Show me everything I need
Show it all to me
Show it all to me
And it's fallin' all around us
Is this some kinda joke they're trying to pull on us
Fallin' all around us
I turned my head off for a while
The lyrics of The Goo Goo Dolls's song 'Flat Top' seem to be a commentary on the state of the world and society, particularly the influence of television and media on people's thoughts and actions. The song opens with the line "Flat top intervention, bringing home a new invention, see it there in pieces on the ground," which paints a picture of the world in which people are constantly bombarded with new technology that demands their attention.
The song goes on to criticize the influence of media in society, particularly the way in which people are divided into opposing sides based on what they consume. The line "A television war between the cynics and the saints, flip the dial and that's whose side you're on" paints a picture of a society that is polarized and where people are encouraged to take sides in conflicts.
The song also speaks to the idea that television and media can be used to manipulate people's emotions and thoughts. The line "And my dirty dreams all come alive on my TV screen, and assassination plots show me what I haven't got" seems to suggest that media can be used to create false narratives that distract people from the real issues in the world.
Overall, the lyrics of 'Flat Top' are a scathing critique of the influence of media and technology in modern society and the ways in which they can be used to manipulate people's emotions and thoughts.
Line by Line Meaning
Flat top intervention
A change in leadership, overarching authority or assumed governance
Bringing home a new invention
Introducing a new concept or idea to the masses
See it there in pieces on the ground
Viewing a disastrous situation or concept that has fallen apart or failed
A television war between the cynics and the saints
A battle on national television between the pessimists and the optimists
Flip the dial and that's whose side you're on
Choosing a side based on the viewpoint or representation of that perspective on television
Sleeping on the White House lawn ain't never changed a thing
Protests or attempts at making a change have been futile and ineffective
Look at all the washed out Hippie dreams
Pointing out the failure of previous movements that sought to create change
And it's fallin' all around us
A chaotic situation that is worsening rapidly
Is this some kinda joke they're trying to pull on us
Questioning the intentions and motives of those who are leading or governing
I turned my head off for a while
Choosing to ignore the problems and challenges facing society
The tabloid generation's lost
The current generation is misguided and lacks direction
Choking on it's fear
Paralyzed and immobilized by anxiety and apprehension
Used to be that's all we had to fear
Times have changed and the reasons for fear have evolved
Conscience keeps us quiet while the crooked loves to speak
Those who are dishonest or lacking in integrity are more likely to speak up and be heard
His knowledge wrapped in blankets on the street.
The wisdom and intelligence of society's homeless population is often overlooked or dismissed
A visionary coward says that anger can be power
Leaders who choose to provoke anger and hostility for their own agenda are cowardly and misguided
As long as there's a victim on TV
The media often chooses to focus on the victimization of one group or individual to garner attention and support
And my dirty dreams all come alive
The negative or destructive thoughts and desires of society are often glorified and given attention
On my TV screen
The media continues to be a major influencer in society's perspective and direction
And assassination plots
The violence and aggression depicted in media and entertainment
Show me what I haven't got
Society seeks fulfillment and satisfaction in material possessions and superficial ideals
Show me what I love, Who I'm supposed to be
The media and society at large influence and dictate individual identity and values
Show me everything I need
Society's wants and desires are constantly changing and evolving based on external influences
Show it all to me
A desire to see and experience all that society has to offer, both good and bad
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: J. RZEZNIK, R. TAKAC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@JackFrost-xvxv
I think the song Flat top should be remastered. To me the first half of the song is Amazing but it drags out kinda motionless to the end.
I think if John & robby cut the ending down & shorten it up .
And mabey do a simple new ending,& make a new video with the people today wearing the same kind of cloths and haircuts ect....
And put out the video as if it's a new song....
It would be cool to see .
But all eyes on me &
Flat top are just a few of my many favorites of this band. I got to see them with Vanessa Carlton & third eyes blind. Long ago in Boca Raton I believe. We drove next to the tour bus until Georgia.
Don't remember the year though.
Love you guys forever 😎🤘
@ErickJiuJitsu
Johns writing is on another level. Every song is pure poetry
@meganogle3192
This band is literally the only band I have ever been absolutely star struck over.
@corycaldwell9986
Yes I'm 30 I first heard them in 2000 and fell in love with them for 21 years now my first song was slide
@derekdykeman9160
I go way back with the Goo Goo Dolls from 1987 till 1995 I used to go see them all the time and used to get drunk and do backing vocals it was good times glad they found success.
@GooforyouDebi
Met them three times! They are as down to earth as you imagine and ffffing cool too
@MackDaddyVic
I’m 27. Discovered these guys in 2005 if I remember correctly. Been obsessed ever since. They write some of the most addictive songs. Just takes me into a time machine every single time I hear one of their songs still to this day. They’re phenomenal. Die hard fan.
@tallica3595
Eu com meus 50 anos e ouço com a mesma emoção da primeira vez! E olha que faz tempo...
@jackgreenway4646
You can hear in majority of the 90s bands how much the Beatles inspired them, in this song you can hear it big time.
@MackDaddyVic
These guys are just phenomenal. I don’t know what else to say. They always come back into my life when I’m not even thinking about them and I’m just like “ahh, this is what music is supposed to be” and then I’m hooked again for several months and the cycle continues like that. Probably will until I’m dead.
@girthakian
Fuckin A right, brother man! ;)