* 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.
Slave Girl
The Goo Goo Dolls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I drag her around wherever I go
This little woman drives me insane
She's tied to my ankle with a ball and chain
For sixteen years, she's been hangin' around
Tryin' to bury me in a hole in the ground
Well, I think it's time that I even the score
Don't save me when I startin' to drown
Don't use me when you don't want me around
Just be my slave girl, 'cause that's all I need
So take a little step back to the stone age with me
Go!
Well I hear a strange noise as I lie in my bed
I feel a lotta water drippin' on my head
I look around tried to see through my hair
You left me alone, but do you think I care?
'cause you moved me when I was takin' my time
You abused me when I'm outta line
You tried to warn me of the danger sign
So watch out!
Go!
Well, you got me in the bondage of another age
You drive me to distraction in a primitive way
I can't control my instincts when I hear her say
Just come around and see me if you lose your way
So join my chain gang, play along with me
I'll be your caveman, it's basic as can be
I'm not insane, man, I'm just outta my tree
The Goo Goo Dolls' song Slave Girl is about a toxic relationship between two lovers. The singer is the singer of the song and he is describing his intense love for this woman who has been by his side for sixteen years, but also making it clear that he is in control of her by referring to her as his "slave girl." His desire for power over her is evident in the lyrics, "She's tied to my ankle with a ball and chain" and "There's only room for one in this cage of yours." He feels as if this woman is his possession and he is unable to let go.
The chorus of the song is the singer pleading for his lover to be his "slave girl." He does not want her to save him or use him only when she wants him around. He figures that all he needs is for her to submit and be cast back into a primitive environment with him. This seems to imply that he wants her to be ignorant so that he can maintain power over her. The singer then ends the song with "I'm not insane, man, I'm just outta my tree," which suggests that he knows his behavior is not normal but he does not care as long as he has the power in the relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Let me tell you 'bout a girl I know
I want to talk to you about this girl who is always with me.
I drag her around wherever I go
I take this girl with me no matter where I go.
This little woman drives me insane
This girl is driving me crazy.
She's tied to my ankle with a ball and chain
I feel like I'm tied to her and I can't escape her.
For sixteen years, she's been hangin' around
This girl has been with me for sixteen years.
Tryin' to bury me in a hole in the ground
She's been trying to control me and make me feel trapped.
Well, I think it's time that I even the score
I feel like I need to take control of the situation.
There's only room for one in this cage of yours
I need to escape this situation and take control of my own life.
Don't save me when I startin' to drown
Don't rescue me when I'm struggling or in trouble.
Don't use me when you don't want me around
Don't only come to me when it's convenient for you.
Just be my slave girl, 'cause that's all I need
I just want you to be subservient to me.
So take a little step back to the stone age with me
I want us to take our relationship back to a simpler time.
Go!
Let's go and make this happen.
Well I hear a strange noise as I lie in my bed
I hear a strange sound while I'm laying in bed.
I feel a lotta water drippin' on my head
I feel like something is dripping on my head.
You left me alone, but do you think I care?
You left me, but I don't really care.
'cause you moved me when I was takin' my time
You interrupted me when I was trying to relax.
You abused me when I'm outta line
You treated me poorly when I did something wrong.
You tried to warn me of the danger sign
You tried to warn me about something dangerous happening.
So watch out!
Be careful and cautious.
Well, you got me in the bondage of another age
You have trapped me in an old-fashioned way of thinking.
You drive me to distraction in a primitive way
You're causing me to lose focus and think irrationally in a basic way.
I can't control my instincts when I hear her say
I can't help the way I feel when I hear her speak.
Just come around and see me if you lose your way
Come to me if you ever feel lost or unsure of yourself.
So join my chain gang, play along with me
Be a part of the group that I'm leading.
I'll be your caveman, it's basic as can be
I'll be in charge and take us back to a simple way of life.
I'm not insane, man, I'm just outta my tree
I'm not crazy, I'm just feeling overwhelmed and stressed.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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