* 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.
Somethin' Bad
The Goo Goo Dolls Lyrics
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And they're holding up for cheaper chinese food
If I'm older now and have a tainted attitude
What those neon lights ????
And it's not like me to feel so important
And it's not like me to go and wreck your day
And I never thought I'd see it so exploited Aw but I know that somethin'
Oh yes I know that somethin' bad is gonna change
Well I see you working round the clock till six A.M.
The thermometer's at minus five degrees
And I'm wondering where all that hard earned money goes
To a head above a shred of dignity
And it's not like me to feel so important
And it's not like me to go and wreck your day
And I never thought I'd see it so exploited Aw but I know that somethin'
bad is gonna change
Oh yes I know that somethin' bad is gonna change
GO!
And it's not like me to feel so important
And it's not like me to go and wreck your day
And I never thought I'd see it so exploited Aw but I know that somethin'
bad has gotta change
Oh yes I know that somethin' bad had gotta change
yes I know that somethin' bad has gotta change
yes I know that somethin' bad has gotta change
The Goo Goo Dolls' "Somethin' Bad" is a song that explores the theme of change as the singer observes the world around him. The song begins with the shutting down of shops on the avenue in favor of cheaper Chinese food. The singer is older now and has a tainted attitude which colors his view of the world. He wonders what those neon lights are trying to tell him as the world around him changes.
In the second verse, the singer sees someone working round the clock till six A.M. The thermometer's at minus five degrees and he's wondering where all that hard earned money goes. The world seems to be exploiting the hardworking people around him and he feels helpless to do anything. The chorus repeats several times with the singer stating that he knows somethin' bad is gonna change because he can't keep living in a world that exploits people.
Line by Line Meaning
Well they're shutting all the shops up on the avenue
The shops on the street are closing down
And they're holding up for cheaper chinese food
People are waiting in line for affordable Chinese food
If I'm older now and have a tainted attitude
As I've aged, I've become more jaded and cynical
What those neon lights ????
I'm questioning the purpose of the bright lights around me
Well I see you working round the clock till six A.M.
I notice you working tirelessly until early morning
The thermometer's at minus five degrees
It's extremely cold outside
And I'm wondering where all that hard earned money goes
I'm questioning where your money goes despite all your hard work
To a head above a shred of dignity
To someone who has lost their pride and self-respect
And it's not like me to feel so important
I don't typically feel as though I hold such significance
And it's not like me to go and wreck your day
I'm not usually the type of person to purposefully upset you
And I never thought I'd see it so exploited Aw but I know that somethin' bad is gonna change
I never expected to witness such blatant exploitation, but I have a feeling that something negative will occur
Oh yes I know that somethin' bad is gonna change
I'm certain that something negative is going to happen
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: GEORGE TUTUSKA, JOHN T RZEZNIK, ROBERT C. JR. TAKAC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind