Name (song)

Last updated

"Name"
Name (Goo Goo Dolls single - cover art).jpg
Single by Goo Goo Dolls
from the album A Boy Named Goo
B-side
  • "Burnin' Up"
  • "Hit or Miss"
ReleasedSeptember 26, 1995
Genre
Length
  • 4:30 (album version)
  • 4:03 (single edit)
  • 4:15 (2007 re-recording)
Label
Songwriter(s) John Rzeznik
Producer(s) Lou Giordano
Goo Goo Dolls singles chronology
"Flat Top"
(1995)		"Name"
(1995)		"Naked"
(1996)

"Name" is a song by American rock band Goo Goo Dolls. It was released in September 1995 as the third single from their fifth studio album, A Boy Named Goo (1995). "Name" became the band's first major hit, [3] [4] topping both the US Modern Rock Tracks chart and the Album Rock Tracks chart. It also reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100. In Canada, "Name" peaked at number two on the RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart and number one on the RPM Alternative 30.

Contents

Although Goo Goo Dolls were considered an alternative group prior to the single's release, "Name" crossed over to pop and adult contemporary radio, greatly increasing the band's fan base.[ citation needed ] The band re-recorded "Name" for their compilation album, Greatest Hits Volume One: The Singles ; this version featured minimal arrangements and production.[ citation needed ]

Composition

The song's unusual guitar tuning, D-A-E-A-E-E, [5] is accomplished by replacing the B string with a high E string. In an interview with Guitar World Magazine , the singer and songwriter Johnny Rzeznik explained: "Both the top strings are high E strings. Whenever I tried tuning a regular B string up to E, it would pop. It was really tough on the tension. I've seen guys play 'Name' with regular tuning. It doesn't sound right." [6] Rzeznik says that the song's unusual composition happened "quite accidentally". In an interview with KFOG, he explained: "It was weird, I was just sitting on my couch randomly twisting the tuning pegs, and I couldn't figure out what notes the guitar was tuned to, so I had to grab my tuner to find out, and then I jotted them down on a post it. ... I just sat there and let my fingers play the fretboard openly, and that is what became the progression of 'Name'." [7]

In her book The Kennedy Chronicles, former MTV VJ Kennedy claimed that the song was actually about her complicated relationship with Rzeznik, with the lyrics referring to their time together and her full name being a secret to most. Rzeznik admitted to the inspiration in the book, saying, "I was trying to capture a moment...it was pretty interesting to have a song inspired by a moment. And I thought it was a very sweet song." [8]

Reception

In October 2012, "Name" was ranked number 24 on Billboard's "Top 100 Pop Songs 1992–2012" chart. This chart also featured the Goo Goo Dolls' hits "Slide" (ranking at number nine) and "Iris" (which topped the chart). The Goo Goo Dolls are the only musicians to have three songs chart on the list, two breaking the top 10 and all three falling within the top 25. They are also the only musicians who have back to back singles ("Iris", 1998 and "Slide", 1999) featured on the list. [9]

Track listings

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [38] 2× Platinum2,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iris (song)</span> 1998 song by Goo Goo Dolls

"Iris" is a song by the American alternative rock band Goo Goo Dolls. Written for the soundtrack of the 1998 film City of Angels, it was included on the sixth Goo Goo Dolls album, Dizzy Up the Girl, and released as a single on April 1, 1998. No character named Iris appears in the film, and the song title is not heard in the lyrics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Who Will Save Your Soul</span> 1996 single by Jewel

"Who Will Save Your Soul" is a song written and performed by American singer-songwriter Jewel. It was the first song released from her first studio album, Pieces of You (1995), and became a hit in North America and Australasia, peaking at number seven in Canada, number 11 in the United States, number 14 in New Zealand, and number 27 in Australia. It was also moderately successful in the United Kingdom, reaching number 52 on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slide (Goo Goo Dolls song)</span> 1998 single by Goo Goo Dolls

"Slide" is a song by American alternative rock group Goo Goo Dolls. It was released as the first single from their sixth studio album, Dizzy Up the Girl, in September 1998. According to lead guitarist John Rzeznik, the song is about a Catholic girl who becomes pregnant and discusses with her boyfriend how they should respond to it. Musically, the track is a jangle pop and alternative rock song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A Long December</span> 1996 single by Counting Crows

"A Long December" is a song by American rock band Counting Crows. The ballad is the second single and 13th track from their second album, Recovering the Satellites (1996). Lead singer Adam Duritz was inspired to write the track after his friend was hit by a motorist and injured, making the song about reflecting on tragedy with a positive disposition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3AM (Matchbox Twenty song)</span> 1997 single by Matchbox Twenty

"3AM" is the third single and the third track from American rock band Matchbox 20's debut album, Yourself or Someone Like You (1996). Written by Rob Thomas, Jay Stanley, John Leslie Goff, and Brian Yale, the song was inspired by Thomas dealing with his mother's cancer as a teenager. The song was officially serviced to US modern rock radio in October 1997 and was given a commercial release outside North America the following month.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black Balloon (Goo Goo Dolls song)</span> 1999 single by Goo Goo Dolls

"Black Balloon" is a song by American rock band Goo Goo Dolls. It was released in June 1999 as the fourth single from the band's sixth studio album, Dizzy Up the Girl (1998), and reached No. 3 in Canada, No. 16 in the United States, and No. 23 in Iceland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carnival (Natalie Merchant song)</span> 1995 single by Natalie Merchant

"Carnival" is a song written and produced by singer-songwriter Natalie Merchant and was the lead single from her debut solo album, Tigerlily (1995). In the lyrics, the protagonist describes a street scene as a carnival. Merchant was inspired to write the song after visiting New York City for the first time when she was 16, claiming she was fascinated with the residents' unusual lifestyles, as she grew up in rural areas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dizzy (Goo Goo Dolls song)</span> 1999 single by Goo Goo Dolls

"Dizzy" is a song by American band Goo Goo Dolls, written by lead vocalist and guitarist Johnny Rzeznik. It was released as a single from their sixth studio album, Dizzy Up the Girl (1998), in February 1999. In Japan, an extended play (EP) titled Dizzy EP was released featuring this song as well as others from previous albums. "Dizzy" peaked at number nine on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart in May 1999 and also reached number 28 in Canada and number 50 in Australia. The single's music video stars actress Shannyn Sossamon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Here Is Gone</span> 2002 single by Goo Goo Dolls

"Here Is Gone" is a song by American rock band Goo Goo Dolls. A song about yearning for a deeper relationship with someone, "Here Is Gone" was released on March 11, 2002, as the lead single from the band's seventh studio album, Gutterflower (2002). It reached number 18 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number three on the Adult Top 40. The single also reached number 17 in New Zealand, becoming the group's second top-20 hit there.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The World I Know</span> 1995 single by Collective Soul

"The World I Know" is a song by American rock band Collective Soul from their second studio album, Collective Soul (1995). Written by lead singer and guitarist Ed Roland, the song was released as the album's fourth single in October 1995. "The World I Know" peaked at number 19 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and spent four weeks at number one on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart. In Canada, the song reached number one on the week of March 11, 1996, becoming the band's highest-charting single there.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wonder (Natalie Merchant song)</span> 1995 single by Natalie Merchant

"Wonder" is a song by Natalie Merchant, released in 1995 as the second single from her solo album Tigerlily. The single reached number 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 10 on the Canadian RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart, outperforming her previous single "Carnival" in Canada. The covers for the U.S. and European singles were different. The single also includes live cuts from Merchant's tour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Give Me One Reason</span> 1995 single by Tracy Chapman

"Give Me One Reason" is a song written and performed by American singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman. It was included on her fourth studio album, New Beginning (1995), and was released as a single in various territories between November 1995 and March 1997, her first since 1992's "Dreaming on a World". The song is Chapman's biggest US hit, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100. It is also her biggest hit in Australia, where it reached number three as well, and it topped the charts of Canada and Iceland. Elsewhere, the song reached number 16 in New Zealand, but it underperformed in the United Kingdom, peaking at number 95 in March 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Broadway (Goo Goo Dolls song)</span> 2000 single by Goo Goo Dolls

"Broadway" is a song recorded by the Goo Goo Dolls. The song was released in March 2000 as the last single from their sixth studio album, Dizzy Up the Girl (1998). Although not as popular as the albums previous singles "Iris" and "Slide", the song entered the top 30 in the United States, peaking at number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100 and coming in at number 84 on the Billboard year-end Hot 100 singles of 2000. The single also peaked number seven on the Canadian RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart and number six on the Icelandic Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Free to Decide</span> 1996 single by the Cranberries

"Free to Decide" is a song by Irish rock band the Cranberries, released as the second single from their third studio album, To the Faithful Departed (1996), on 1 July 1996. The song achieved minor chart success in Europe but became a top-10 hit in Canada, peaking at number two on the RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart. In the United States, it peaked at number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number eight on the Modern Rock Tracks chart. In 2017, the song was released as an acoustic version on the band's Something Else album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Time (Hootie & the Blowfish song)</span> 1995 single by Hootie & the Blowfish

"Time" is a song by American rock band Hootie & the Blowfish. It was released on October 24, 1995, as the fourth single from their 1994 debut album, Cracked Rear View. "Time" peaked at number 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and reached number one in Canada for a week in February 1996. The song also peaked at number one on the Billboard Adult Top 40, number nine in Iceland, and number 35 in New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tucker's Town (song)</span> 1996 single by Hootie & the Blowfish

"Tucker's Town" is a song by American rock group Hootie & the Blowfish. It was released on June 25, 1996, as the second single from their second album, Fairweather Johnson (1996). In the United States, it peaked at number 38 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 24 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, and number 29 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. Outside the US, "Tucker's Town" reached number two in Canada—ending 1996 as the country's 25th-most-successful single—and number 20 in Iceland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Everything Falls Apart (song)</span> 1996 single by Dogs Eye View

Everything Falls Apart is a song by American band Dog's Eye View, written by lead vocalist Peter Stuart. The song is the lead single from Dog's Eye View's debut album, Happy Nowhere, released in January 1996 by Columbia Records. It received considerable airplay on radio, MTV and VH1, reaching the top 40 on multiple US Billboard charts. Internationally, the single charted in Canada and New Zealand, peaking at numbers five and 41, respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Old Man & Me (When I Get to Heaven)</span> 1996 single by Hootie & the Blowfish

"Old Man & Me " is a song by American rock group Hootie & the Blowfish. It was released in April 1996 as the lead single from their second album, Fairweather Johnson. In the United States, it peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 18 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, and number six on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. The song also reached number one in Canada, becoming the band's third and final single to do so.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Want to Come Over</span> 1996 single by Melissa Etheridge

"I Want to Come Over" is a song by American singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge. It was released in late January 1996 as the second single from her fifth studio album, Your Little Secret (1995). The song was a commercial success, reaching number 22 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 29 in both Australia and New Zealand. It also reached number one on the Canadian RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart in March 1996. At the end of the year, the song appeared on the American and Canadian year-end charts at numbers 79 and 11, respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Key West Intermezzo (I Saw You First)</span> 1996 single by John Mellencamp

"Key West Intermezzo (I Saw You First)" is a song by American rock musician John Mellencamp. It was released as the first single from his 14th studio album, Mr. Happy Go Lucky (1996), and peaked at number 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100, making it his final top-40 hit in the US. In Canada, it gave Mellencamp his fourth number-one single on the RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart, staying at number one for five weeks. It additionally reached the top 40 in Australia and New Zealand. The song's music video features American actor Matthew McConaughey.

References

  1. ↑ "The 95 Best Alternative Rock Songs of 1995". Spin . August 6, 2015. p. 5. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  2. ↑ Unterberger, Andrew (August 6, 2004). "Top Ten Mediocre Post-Grunge / Alternative Bands". Stylus Magazine . Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  3. ↑ Miers, Jeff (October 12, 2018). "Timeline: Goo Goo Dolls, through the years". The Buffalo News. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  4. ↑ "As Goo As It Gets". The Buffalo News. April 16, 1996. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  5. ↑ Dolls, G. (1996). Goo Goo Dolls - a Boy Named Goo*. Milwaukee: HAL LEONARD.
  6. ↑ "Guitar World Magazine, May 1996 "Goo Vibrations"". NewBay Media, LLC. Retrieved October 14, 2012.
  7. ↑ "Guitar World Acoustic, Issue 29 "A Simple Twist of Fate"". NewBay Media, LLC. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
  8. ↑ Kennedy, The Kennedy Chronicles, 2013, Macmillan, pp. 103–105.
  9. ↑ Trust, Gary (October 3, 2012). "The Top 100 Pop Songs 1992-2012, From No. 100 To No. 1". Billboard. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
  10. ↑ Name (US cassette single cassette notes). Goo Goo Dolls. Metal Blade Records, Warner Bros. Records. 1995. 9 17758-4, 4-17758.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. ↑ Name (Australian maxi-CD single liner notes). Goo Goo Dolls. Warner Bros. Records. 1995. 5439177582.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. ↑ Name (European CD single liner notes). Goo Goo Dolls. Warner Bros. Records. 1995. WO333CD, 9362-43661-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. ↑ Name (Japanese CD single liner notes). Goo Goo Dolls. Metal Blade Records, Warner Bros. Records. 1995. WPCR-684.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. ↑ "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – Week Ending 24 Mar 1996". ARIA . Retrieved July 31, 2017– via Imgur. N.B. The HP column displays the highest peak reached.
  15. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2827." RPM . Library and Archives Canada.
  16. ↑ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 2853." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  17. ↑ "Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Issue 2774." RPM . Library and Archives Canada.
  18. ↑ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (10.2. – 16.2. '96)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). February 10, 1996. p. 26. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  19. ↑ "The Goo Goo Dolls – Name". Top 40 Singles.
  20. ↑ "Goo Goo Dolls Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  21. ↑ "Goo Goo Dolls Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard.
  22. ↑ "Goo Goo Dolls Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.
  23. ↑ "Goo Goo Dolls Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard.
  24. ↑ "Goo Goo Dolls Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard.
  25. ↑ "Goo Goo Dolls Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard.
  26. ↑ "Goo Goo Dolls Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.
  27. ↑ "RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1995". RPM . Retrieved February 21, 2019– via Library and Archives Canada.
  28. ↑ "The Year in Music: Hot Album Rock Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 51. December 23, 1995. p. YE-76.
  29. ↑ "The Year in Music: Hot Modern Rock Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 51. December 23, 1995. p. YE-77.
  30. ↑ "RPM Year End Top 100 Hit Tracks". RPM . Retrieved February 21, 2019– via Library and Archives Canada.
  31. ↑ "RPM Year End Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks". RPM. Retrieved February 21, 2019– via Library and Archives Canada.
  32. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 – 1996". Longboredsurfer.com. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
  33. ↑ "Airplay Monitor Best of '96: Adult Contemporary Singles & Tracks" (PDF). Airplay Monitor . Vol. 4, no. 53. December 27, 1996. p. 33. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
  34. ↑ "Airplay Monitor Best of '96: Adult Top 40 Singles & Tracks" (PDF). Airplay Monitor. Vol. 4, no. 53. December 27, 1996. p. 33. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
  35. ↑ "Airplay Monitor Best of '96: Mainstream Rock Tracks" (PDF). Airplay Monitor. Vol. 4, no. 53. December 27, 1996. p. 23. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
  36. ↑ "Airplay Monitor Best of '96: Modern Rock Tracks" (PDF). Airplay Monitor. Vol. 4, no. 53. December 27, 1996. p. 24. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  37. ↑ "Airplay Monitor Best of '96: Top 40/Mainstream Titles" (PDF). Airplay Monitor. Vol. 4, no. 53. December 27, 1996. p. 30. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
  38. ↑ "American single certifications – Goo Goo Dolls – Name". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved July 1, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.