* 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.
You Never Know
The Goo Goo Dolls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Some folks think the world just moves too slow
But was it you?
Who told me I'm your everything
You hit me like I never felt before
(hit me like I never felt before)
Hit me like a sucker punch, you're rotten to the core
Silly for the last time
You never take
A promise from a man who sheds his skin
You had to wait
For my achin' heart to break
You hit me like I never felt before
(hit me like I never felt before)
Hit me like a sucker punch, you're rotten to the core
You know you hit me like I've never felt before
Silly for the last time
Now everyone gets angry
And I feel it when you're holdin' me
But in the right place, at the right time, to the right degree
It's a breeding ground
For the pain I've found
From dealin' with your scene
You know that ain't easy
That ain't easy
That ain't easy
That ain't easy
You hit me like I never felt before
(hit me like I never felt before)
You hit me like I never felt before
(hit me like I never felt before)
I'm silly for the last time
In You Never Know, The Goo Goo Dolls lead singer, Johnny Rzeznik sings about the unpredictability of love and relationships. The song begins by declaring that nobody knows what's going to happen in life and that some people find the world moves too slowly. However, the character in the song is asked if he is everything to the person he is involved with. The chorus kicks in where he describes the experience of being hit by love. It's hurtful, like a sucker punch to the gut. And despite the pain, he still stays in the relationship.
The verse continues with a promise that was made being broken. The singer knew he had to break his own heart to move on. He is hit again by love, that takes him by surprise and is once again hurtful. In the bridge, Rzeznik describes the different emotions he feels when he is with his partner. Sometimes it feels right, sometimes it feels angry, and sometimes it hurts. Ultimately, the singer knows it's difficult to handle someone like his partner, but he accepts it. The song ends with more descriptions of the pain he feels knowing that, even though he knows it's probably not a good idea to stay in the relationship, he is staying anyway.
Line by Line Meaning
You never know
You can never truly predict what will happen in life
Some folks think the world just moves too slow
Some people feel like the pace of life is too slow or uninteresting
But was it you? Who told me I'm your everything
Did you, my significant other, tell me that I am the most important thing in your life?
You hit me like I never felt before (hit me like I never felt before)
You surprised and overwhelmed me with your actions or words
Hit me like a sucker punch, you're rotten to the core
You deceived or hurt me deeply, and it revealed your true nature
Silly for the last time
I am foolish for trusting or believing in you again
You never take
You can't trust a promise made by someone who frequently changes or hides their true self
A promise from a man who sheds his skin
Someone who frequently changes or reinvents themselves cannot be relied upon to keep their word
You had to wait
You needed to witness me at my lowest point or most vulnerable state
For my achin' heart to break
You needed me to endure emotional pain or heartbreak before you could reveal your own true intentions or feelings
Now everyone gets angry
Tensions are high and emotions are heightened for everyone involved
And I feel it when you're holdin' me
I can sense your anger or negative energy when we are physically close to each other
But in the right place, at the right time, to the right degree
If certain conditions are met, such as being in the right setting or expressing emotions appropriately, conflict can be productive or helpful
It's a breeding ground
This situation or relationship is conducive to producing negative emotions or conflict
For the pain I've found
I have experienced emotional pain or distress as a result of this situation or relationship
From dealin' with your scene
I have had to cope with or manage the difficulties or challenges brought on by your actions or behavior
You know that ain't easy (that ain't easy, that ain't easy, that ain't easy)
Dealing with these challenges or negative emotions is difficult and requires effort and patience
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: ROBERT C. JR. TAKAC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
FTWorWTF
Robby sings ballads so well. His rasp makes him sound like he just finished crying.
Dom Weh Hay
Wow, just WOW... I haven't heard this in 10 years! Epic!
Really_Good_Username
I've alway loved the robby songs since i was like 3. I just love that they have that Beatles/ the clash element where they switch off. It makes for some wonderfully diverse music!
Lisa Skaggs
The Monkees man, that's the sound😛😝😜
Alistair Gonzaga
This song is so good! I never realized it before because I always listen to John!
jse ruiz
mamalona !!! vivan los goo's
Diana Beurman
love that goo goo dolls sound
Cнαsing Tнe мoon
estou completamente apaixonado por essa musica,letra nao muito boa, mas melodia agradavel..
Shawntel Smith
since when has this been his voice?!
Braydon Wiswell
This is the bassist singing