* 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.
Stand Alone
The Goo Goo Dolls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hard rain is gonna fall
While old man Dillion laughs at our song
Now I'm feelin' all alone
And I'm cold and bare as stone
But it just doesn't matter
I can't stand it
Gonna die alone
Was a time I felt like dyin'
Now I'm glad that time is gone
Cuz tonight we're gonna live forever on
And when I wrote this down
I was drinkin' all alone
But it just doesn't matter
I can't stand it
Gonna die alone
Can't understand it anyhow
Lookin' for a place I know
Ain't been there for so long
And I gotta back there
I can't stand it
Gonna die alone
Can't understand it anyhow oh
I can't stand it
Gonna die alone
Can't understand it anyhow oh
The lyrics to The Goo Goo Dolls' Stand Alone touch on themes of loneliness and the feeling of being lost. The opening line, "Somewhere there's a culprit lowin'," suggests that there is something or someone responsible for the singer's current state of mind. As the song progresses, the lyrics delve into feelings of loneliness and despair, with lines like "Now I'm feelin' all alone / And I'm cold and bare as stone."
However, the song also contains a sense of hope and resilience. The line "Was a time I felt like dyin' / Now I'm glad that time is gone" suggests that the singer has persevered through difficult times before and is capable of doing so again. The final lines, "Lookin' for a place I know / Ain't been there for so long / And I gotta back there," may imply that there is a place of comfort and familiarity that the singer is seeking.
Overall, Stand Alone is a deeply introspective song that contemplates the highs and lows of life, and the struggle to find purpose and belonging in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Somewhere there's a culprit lowin'
There is someone out there to blame for our troubles.
Hard rain is gonna fall
There will be difficult times ahead.
While old man Dillion laughs at our song
Despite our struggles, some people will not take us seriously.
Now I'm feelin' all alone
I am lonely and isolated.
And I'm cold and bare as stone
I feel emotionally numb and unresponsive.
But it just doesn't matter
However, none of this is important.
I can't stand it
I cannot bear this pain anymore.
Gonna die alone
I fear that I will pass away without anyone next to me.
Can't understand it anyhow
I cannot comprehend why any of this is happening.
Was a time I felt like dyin'
There was a point when I almost gave up on life.
Now I'm glad that time is gone
I am relieved that I did not succumb to those thoughts.
Cuz tonight we're gonna live forever on
I am optimistic that I will have a bright and fulfilling future.
And when I wrote this down
At the moment when I am expressing my thoughts through writing,
I was drinkin' all alone
I was alone and coping with my sadness through alcohol.
Lookin' for a place I know
I am searching for a familiar, safe environment.
Ain't been there for so long
It has been a significant period since I was last there.
And I gotta back there
I must return to that place.
Can't understand it anyhow oh
Despite my confusion, I will persevere and overcome these challenges.
Contributed by Maya O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Brandon
Wow! Thanks so much for posting this (as well as giving some of the history). It's an amazing song!
Jake Kussmaul
Thank you man! I'm glad this song is catching on :P
Janine Brittanica
I love this track, it sounds like the Goo Goo Dolls covering a Grant Hart-penned Husker Du bonus track from Warehouse.
Jake Kussmaul
Yeah they were big fans of that kinda stuff back then, especially Replacements. Id love to hear them cover Bastards of Young.
Pat Shaughnessy
Robbie's songs always sounded more Husker Du compared to John's Replacements.
Xan Girdeux
One of the reasons I uploaded that other version, is because I was hoping someone would have a better quality version (5 years ago, it was the only one on Soulseek). So Jake, thanks for sharing this.
A lot of people are puzzled when I tell them that George leaving the band was a factor in the change of sound. "But he was just the drummer!" He was more than that, and over half of his contributions aren't mentioned in the text books.
At least in the end, he got his royalty payments and came out decent, which is difficult to do in the music industry for ex members.
Ian Colthart
Xan Girdeux I’ve spoken to George’s son a few times, and consider each other friends. George contributed a LOT more than most people realize
mrt77wv
This explains so much! Thank you. I always wondered why they got so bland after ABNG. And this song is really great.
Nathan William
I love my promo copy of the CD because of this song 💪🙌
Shannon O'Malley
Nice :) Although I gotta question why a picture with Mike was used if this is George's song