* 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.
Stop the World
The Goo Goo Dolls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You need somethin' that you ain't been getting
Yeah, I could be the one
To tell you what to do, but it don't mean nothing
And you're holding on forever
But that something just ain't true
I'm just like you
And I know
Here I go
Cause I couldn't stop the world, cause I loved you
I couldn't stop the world, and I don't want to
I couldn't stop the world, and I won't
Cause it ain't enough
You had another bad day
You let me know that you just can't take it
I've given up on you
You live in truth and I know I can't fake it
Cause the stars you see on dirty sidewalks
And they ain't for wishin', ooh
They don't come true
And I know, it's what I'd do
Here I go
Cause I couldn't stop the world, 'cause I loved you
I couldn't stop the world, and I don't want to
I couldn't stop the world, and I won't
Cause it ain't enough
Am I too young for the world?
I'm not too young for the world
And I can't change for the world
(I don't need to stop the world)
'Cause I don't care for the world
(I'm too young, I'm too young)
I don't make sense to the world
(I don't need to stop the world)
(I'm too young, I'm too young)
In "Stop the World," The Goo Goo Dolls sing about a relationship that's broken and failing. The singer knows what the girl needs, but he also knows that it won't make a difference. She's holding on forever to something that's just not true, and no matter what he does, he can't stop her from spiraling down further. The chorus speaks to this idea of feeling helpless in the face of someone's pain, especially when that person is someone you love deeply. The line "cause it ain't enough" speaks to the inadequacy of love alone to solve someone's problems or stop the world from turning.
As the song progresses, the singer becomes more introspective, wondering if he himself is too young for the world, too inexperienced or naive to fully understand the gravity of the situation. He recognizes that the stars he sees on dirty sidewalks aren't for wishing and that sometimes, life just doesn't come true. Ultimately, the song is a recognition of the fact that there are some things in life that are beyond our control, no matter how much we love someone.
Line by Line Meaning
You need someone to hold you
You crave comfort and intimacy from another person
You need somethin' that you ain't been getting
You're missing an important element in your life and it's causing you distress
Yeah, I could be the one
I have the capacity to fill that void for you
To tell you what to do, but it don't mean nothing
While I can provide guidance, ultimately it's up to you to make your own decisions
And you're holding on forever
You're clinging to something that's not serving you well
But that something just ain't true
You're in denial about the reality of the situation
I'm just like you
I can relate to your struggles
And I know
I understand what you're going through
It's what I'd do
I would act similarly in your position
Here I go
I'm going to take action
Cause I couldn't stop the world, cause I loved you
My love for you was not enough to overcome the obstacles and challenges we faced
I couldn't stop the world, and I don't want to
I recognize that I don't have the power to control the circumstances around us
I couldn't stop the world, and I won't
I won't pretend to have a solution to the problems we face
Cause it ain't enough
Love alone is not enough to fix everything
You had another bad day
You've experienced yet another difficult and trying day
You let me know that you just can't take it
You've communicated your struggles and feelings of overwhelm to me
I've given up on you
I've reached the point where I can no longer support you in the way you need
You live in truth and I know I can't fake it
You prioritize authenticity and I cannot pretend to be something I'm not for the sake of our relationship
Cause the stars you see on dirty sidewalks
The beauty and magic you see in the world is overshadowed by its harsh reality
And they ain't for wishin', ooh
You can't wish your problems away, no matter how much you long for a different reality
They don't come true
Dreams and fantasies rarely manifest into reality
Am I too young for the world?
I'm questioning if I'm too inexperienced or immature to handle the difficulties of life
I'm not too young for the world
Despite my doubts, I recognize that I have the ability to face and overcome the challenges of life
And I can't change for the world
I refuse to compromise my values or beliefs for the sake of fitting in or pleasing others
('I don't need to stop the world')
I recognize that I can't control everything around me
('Cause I don't care for the world')
I'm skeptical and disillusioned with the world as it is
('I'm too young, I'm too young')
I still struggle with feelings of inadequacy and doubt my ability to navigate life's challenges
('I don't make sense to the world')
I don't fit neatly into the expectations, norms, or standards of society
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JOHN RZEZNIK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind