The Goo Goo Dolls are an alternative rock band that formed in 1986 in Buffa… Read Full Bio ↴The Goo Goo Dolls are an alternative rock band that formed in 1986 in Buffalo, New York. They are perhaps most famous for the hit "Iris," featured on the soundtrack to the 1998 film City of Angels. Currently, the band consists of three members:

* 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.

Gimme Shelter
The Goo Goo Dolls Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh, the storm is threatening
My very life today.
If I don't get some shelter
Oh yeah, I'm gonna fade away

War, children, it's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
War, children, it's just a shot away

It's just a shot away

See the fire sweepin'
Our very streets today
Burns like a red coal carpet
Mad bull lost its way

War, children, it's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
War, children, it's just a shot away
It's just a shot away

Well, murder
It's just a shot away
Well, murder
It's just a shot away

Brother, sister
It's just a kiss away

Well, murder
It's just a kiss away, a kiss away, a kiss away

Overall Meaning

In the opening verse, the singer describes feeling threatened by a storm that is raging. However, the storm is also a metaphor for the troubles and hardships the singer is experiencing in life. The storm threatens to take away the singer's life, but if they can find shelter, they can survive. The urgent tone of the lyrics conveys a sense of desperation and perhaps even a plea for help.

The chorus of the song highlights the theme of war and its terrible consequences. The phrase "War, children, it's just a shot away" suggests that even innocent children are vulnerable to the violence and tragedy that comes with war. The repetition of the line "it's just a shot away" emphasizes the suddenness and unpredictability of war, as well as its potentially devastating impact. The use of the phrase "it's just" is also interesting - it suggests that war, although horrific, is almost trivialized in its ubiquity; it is just another thing that happens in life.

The second verse describes the chaos and destruction of a city under attack. The fiery imagery creates an intense and overwhelming scene of destruction. The reference to a "mad bull" implies the sense of uncontrollable chaos and unpredictability that comes with war. Overall, this song is a powerful commentary on the destruction and tragedy caused by war, and the need for shelter and hope in the midst of such chaos.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh, the storm is threatening
A dangerous situation is looming over me

My very life today.
My life is in danger right now

If I don't get some shelter
If I don't find safety soon

Oh yeah, I'm gonna fade away
I will suffer greatly if I don't find safety

War, children, it's just a shot away
War can happen at any moment and destroy lives

It's just a shot away
Even a minor incident can escalate into war

See the fire sweepin'
I witness destruction all around me

Our very streets today
The place I call home is being ravaged

Burns like a red coal carpet
The flames are intense and all-consuming

Mad bull lost its way
The destructive force is uncontrollable

Well, murder
Killing is a real threat