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.

What Do You Need?
The Goo Goo Dolls Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

What do you need from me tonight
I feel you look right through me now
I can't pretend it's alright
Maybe we'll find a way somehow

Why do we need to turn it on
Why does it always feel so wrong

What do you need from me tonight
The truth is so complicated now
You feel so free to say
You're wrong, you're wrong
You're wrong, you're wrong

Fear makes you fragile darling
Hate is so heavy when you're weak
Now we're both lost in anger
When we're alone we'll
Find some peace

Why do we need to turn it on
Why does it always seem so wrong

What do you need from me tonight
The truth is so complicated now
You feel so free to say
You're wrong, you're wrong [Repeat: x4]

Why do we need to turn it on
Why does it always seem so wrong

What do you need from me tonight
The truth is so complicated now
You feel so free to say
You're wrong, you're wrong
You're wrong, you're wrong

What do you need from me tonight
The truth is so complicated now
You feel so free to say
You're wrong, you're wrong [Repeat: x7]

Why do we need to turn it on
Why does it always seem so wrong

Overall Meaning

The Goo Goo Dolls' "What Do You Need?" is a song about a difficult relationship, where the singer is trying to understand the needs and emotions of their partner. The lyrics express a sense of distance and confusion between the two while also highlighting the frustration that arises from trying to navigate through a complicated situation. The first stanza poses the question, "What do you need from me tonight?" as if the singer is trying to bridge the emotional gap between them with limited success. The repetition of "you're wrong, you're wrong" expresses a sense of discord and a lack of understanding between the two.

The second stanza notes how the situation has become complicated with resentful emotions and feelings of fragility and weakness. The lines "Hate is so heavy when you're weak / Now we're both lost in anger" convey the mutual weight of their discontent, while the line "When we're alone, we'll find some peace" hints at the possibility of the two still needing each other to resolve their issues. The final stanza returns to the initial theme of confusion, exploring why their efforts to connect with each other continue to fall short.

Overall, "What Do You Need?" is a poignant and relatable song that captures the complex emotions that arise in a strained relationship.

Line by Line Meaning

What do you need from me tonight
Asking the other person what they want or need from the singer in this current moment.

I feel you look right through me now
The singer feels like they are being ignored or overlooked by the other person.

I can't pretend it's alright
The singer can't act like everything is okay when it's not.

Maybe we'll find a way somehow
The artist is hopeful that they can work through their issues with the other person.

Why do we need to turn it on
The artist questions why they feel the need to create tension or conflict in their interactions with the other person.

Why does it always feel so wrong
The singer wonders why their interactions with the other person always seem to end up in a negative way.

The truth is so complicated now
The situation between the two individuals has become very complex and difficult to navigate.

You feel so free to say you're wrong, you're wrong
The other person is quick to blame the artist for any problems in their relationship, without accepting any responsibility themselves.

Fear makes you fragile darling
Fear can make a person feel vulnerable and weak.

Hate is so heavy when you're weak
When feeling vulnerable, negative emotions like hate can become overwhelming and difficult to manage.

Now we're both lost in anger
The two individuals are both consumed by their strong emotions of anger.

When we're alone we'll find some peace
The artist believes that if they could spend time apart from the other person, they could find some sense of calm and tranquility.

Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JOHN T RZEZNIK

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Goo Goo Dolls

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12Truth Is a Whisper4:00

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Pete Mourilyan

Verse 1]
What do you need from me tonight
I feel you look right through me now
I can't pretend it's all right
Maybe we'll find a way somehow

[Pre-Chorus]
Why do we need to turn it on
Why does it always feel so wrong

[Chorus]
What do you need from me tonight
The truth is so complicated now
You feel so free to say
You're wrong, you're wrong
You're wrong, you're wrong

[Verse 2]
Fear makes you fragile, darling
Hate is so heavy when you're weak
Now we're both lost in anger
When we're alone we'll find some peace

[Pre-Chorus]
Why do we need to turn it on
Why does it always seem so wrong

[Chorus]
What do you need from me tonight
The truth is so complicated now
You feel so free to say
You're wrong, you're wrong
You're wrong, you're wrong
You're wrong, you're wrong
You're wrong, you're wrong

[Bridge]
Why do we need to turn it on
Why does it always seem so wrong

[Chorus x2]
What do you need from me tonight
The truth is so complicated now
You feel so free to say
You're wrong, you're wrong
You're wrong, you're wrong
What do you need from me tonight
The truth is so complicated now
You feel so free to say
You're wrong, you're wrong
You're wrong, you're wrong
You're wrong, you're wrong
You're wrong, you're wrong
You're wrong
You're wrong
You're wrong
You're wrong
You're wrong
You're wrong