Slide (Goo Goo Dolls song)

Last updated

"Slide"
Goo goo dolls slide.png
Single by Goo Goo Dolls
from the album Dizzy Up the Girl
B-side
  • "Acoustic #3"
  • "Nothing Can Change You"
ReleasedSeptember 17, 1998 (1998-09-17) [1]
Genre
Length3:32
Label Warner Bros.
Songwriter(s) Johnny Rzeznik
Producer(s)
Goo Goo Dolls singles chronology
"Iris"
(1998)		"Slide"
(1998)		"Dizzy"
(1999)
Music video
"Slide" on YouTube

"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.

Contents

"Slide" reached number one on the US Billboard Adult Top 40 chart, the Modern Rock Tracks chart, and the Mainstream Top 40 chart. On the Billboard Hot 100, the song peaked at number eight in February 1999. In Canada, the song debuted atop the RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart on October 19, 1998, becoming the band's second number-one single on that chart after "Iris". Worldwide, "Slide" reached number 14 in Iceland, number 29 in Australia, number 36 in New Zealand and number 43 in the United Kingdom.

Meaning and composition

In a 2002 performance on VH1 Storytellers , John Rzeznik explained that the song refers to a teenage girl in a strict Catholic environment who has become pregnant. She and her boyfriend are debating as to the possibility of abortion or marriage, which is presented in the song as the verse "do you want to get married or run away". [2] A jangle pop and alternative rock song, [3] [4] "Slide" is written in cut time (2
2) with a key of F minor. [5]

Chart performance

"Slide" peaked atop three US Billboard charts: the Adult Top 40 chart, [6] the Modern Rock Tracks chart, [7] and the Mainstream Top 40 chart. [8] On the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, the song peaked at number eight in February 1999, giving Goo Goo Dolls their third top-10 hit on this chart, and became the United States' 13th-best-selling song of 1999. [9] [10] In October 2012, "Slide" was ranked number nine on Billboard's "Top 100 Pop Songs 1992–2012" chart, which also featured two other Goo Goo Dolls hits: "Iris" (number one) and "Name" (number 24). 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 that have back to back singles ("Iris" and "Slide") featured on the list. [11] The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) awarded the song a three-times platinum certification in September 2023. [12]

In Canada, the song accomplished a rare feat by debuting at number one on the RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart, on October 19, 1998. [13] Not counting the number-one song on the magazine's first issue, it became only the third (and final) song to debut at number one on this chart, after Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?" in 1985 and Tom Cochrane's "I Wish You Well" in 1995. [14] [15] After its debut, "Slide" spent a second week at number one, then dropped to number four on November 2. [16] It spent a total of 26 weeks in the top 20 and remained in the top 100 until the end of 1999. [17] The song also reached number 22 on the RPM Adult Contemporary Tracks chart and number five on the Alternative 30 chart. [18] [19] It was the 18th-most-successful single of Canada in 1999. [20]

Outside North America, "Slide" underperformed in most countries. It debuted at number 45 on the Australian Singles Chart on January 17, 1999, then slowly climbed up the chart until reaching its peak of number 29 on March 7. Afterwards, it dropped out of the top 30 and left the chart five weeks after peaking. [21] Despite its low peak, it earned a gold certification for sales exceeding 35,000 copies. [22] In neighboring New Zealand, the single first appeared at number 41 on February 21 and peaked at number 36 the following week, then spent three more weeks in the top 50. [23] On the UK Singles Chart, "Slide" debuted and peaked at number 43 on March 27, but spent only one more week on the chart before dropping out of the top 100. [24] On the UK Indie Chart, which ranks songs released by independent record labels, it reached number eight. [25] It attained its highest European peak in Iceland, where it charted at number 14 for two weeks. [26]

Music video

The music video was directed by Nancy Bardawil and partially filmed at the El Dorado Hotel on South Spring Street, Los Angeles.

Track listings

UK and Japanese CD single [27] [28]

  1. "Slide" (album version) – 3:33
  2. "Acoustic #3" – 1:57
  3. "Nothing Can Change You" – 3:14

European CD single [29]

  1. "Slide" (album version) – 3:33
  2. "Acoustic #3" – 1:57

Australian maxi-CD single [30]

  1. "Slide"
  2. "Nothing Can Change You"
  3. "Acoustic #3"

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [22] Gold35,000^
United States (RIAA) [12] 3× Platinum3,000,000‡

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
United StatesSeptember 17, 1998Radio Warner Bros. [1]
Australia1998CDThird Rail [30]
JapanNovember 15, 1998 WEA Japan [43]
United KingdomMarch 15, 1999
  • CD
  • cassette
 [44]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Goo Goo Dolls</span> American rock band

The Goo Goo Dolls are an American rock band formed in 1986 in Buffalo, New York, by guitarist/vocalist John Rzeznik, bassist/vocalist Robby Takac, and drummer George Tutuska.

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

"Iris" is a song by American alternative rock band Goo Goo Dolls. Originally written for the soundtrack of the 1998 film City of Angels, the song was later included on the band's sixth album, Dizzy Up the Girl, and released as a single on April 1, 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Building a Mystery</span> 1997 single by Sarah McLachlan

"Building a Mystery" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan from her fourth studio album, Surfacing (1997). At a live performance, Sarah explains the song as being "basically about the fact that we all... have insecurities to hide, and we often do that by putting on a facade." She also goes on to say that "unfortunately, if we just be who we are, that's usually the more attractive and beautiful thing".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One Week (song)</span> 1998 single by Barenaked Ladies

"One Week" is a song by Canadian rock band Barenaked Ladies released as the first single from their 1998 album, Stunt. It was written by Ed Robertson, who is featured on the lead vocal of the rapped verses. Steven Page sings lead on the song's chorus, while the two co-lead the prechoruses in harmony. The song is notable for its significant number of pop culture references, and remains the band's best-known song in the United States, where it topped the Billboard Hot 100. Coincidentally, when the song reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, it remained in the top spot for one week.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Way (Fastball song)</span> 1998 single by Fastball

"The Way" is a song by American alternative rock band Fastball. It was released on January 7, 1998, as the lead single from their second studio album, All the Pain Money Can Buy (1998). The song was written by the band's lead vocalist, Tony Scalzo, and was produced by the band and Julian Raymond. Scalzo was inspired to write the song after reading about the disappearance of an elderly couple who were found dead in their car many miles away from their intended destination.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Name (song)</span> 1995 single by Goo Goo Dolls

"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, 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">There Goes the Neighborhood (Sheryl Crow song)</span> 1998 single by Sheryl Crow

"There Goes the Neighborhood" is a song by American singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow. The song was released as the second single from her third studio album, The Globe Sessions (1998), on November 23, 1998, and won an award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance at the 43rd Annual Grammy Awards in 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It's All Been Done</span> 1998 single by Barenaked Ladies

"It's All Been Done" is a song by Canadian alternative rock group Barenaked Ladies. It was released as the second single from their fourth studio album, Stunt (1998). The song was successful in Canada, peaking at No. 1 on the RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart and becoming the band's highest-charting song in their native country. The song was used as the theme song for the television series Baby Blues. The song is also notable for being one of the band's first to feature an electric guitar solo by Ed Robertson.

<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">Never There</span> 1998 single by Cake

"Never There" is the first single released from American alternative rock band Cake's third studio album, Prolonging the Magic (1998). The song was commercially successful, topping the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and appearing on the music charts of four other countries. In Australia, the song appeared at number 30 on the Triple J Hottest 100 countdown for 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clumsy (Our Lady Peace song)</span> 1997 single by Our Lady Peace

"Clumsy" is a song by Canadian alternative rock band Our Lady Peace. It was released in 1997 as the second single from their second album, Clumsy. It is one of the band's most successful singles, reaching number one in Canada for three weeks. It also experienced success in the United States, reaching number five on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and staying in the top ten for 15 weeks. The song ranked number one on CILQ-FM's Top 107 songs of 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Every Morning (Sugar Ray song)</span> 1999 single by Sugar Ray

"Every Morning" is a song by American rock band Sugar Ray, released as the lead single from their third studio album, 14:59 (1999). The track is an alternative rock and flamenco pop song that references Malo's "Suavecito" and Hugh Masekela's "Grazing in the Grass". Serviced to US radio in December 1998, "Every Morning" was released in Japan in January 1999 and in the United States two months later, making it Sugar Ray's first commercially available single in the US.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lullaby (Shawn Mullins song)</span> 1998 single by Shawn Mullins

"Lullaby" is a song by American rock singer Shawn Mullins from his fourth studio album, Soul's Core (1998). It was released in August 1998 and is Mullins' most successful song to date, reaching number one on the US Billboard Adult Top 40, number seven on the Billboard Hot 100, and number nine on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. It also found success abroad, reaching number nine on the UK Singles Chart, number five in Australia, and number two in Canada.

<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). The song 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. An extended play (EP) titled Dizzy EP was released the next month featuring this song as well as others from previous albums. The 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">Sweet Surrender (Sarah McLachlan song)</span> 1997 single by Sarah McLachlan

"Sweet Surrender" is a song by Canadian singer Sarah McLachlan. It was released in 1997 as the second single from her fourth studio album, Surfacing (1997). The song peaked at number two in Canada and number 28 on the US Billboard Hot 100. In 2001, a maxi-single with remixes by DJ Tiësto was released peaking at number six on the US Hot Dance Club Play chart, three years after its original release.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Someday (Sugar Ray song)</span> 1999 single by Sugar Ray

"Someday" is a song by American rock band Sugar Ray. First serviced to American radio in June 1999, the song was released on September 7, 1999, as the second US single and third single overall from the band's third album, 14:59 (1999). The song reached number seven on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard Modern Rock Tracks charts, number four on Canada's RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart, and number 25 in New Zealand.

<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">If You Could Only See</span> 1997 single by Tonic

"If You Could Only See" is a song by American rock band Tonic from their debut studio album Lemon Parade (1996). It was released to radio as the third and final single from the album on March 18, 1997, by Polydor Records. Frontman Emerson Hart is the sole writer of the song, whilst production on the song was helmed by Jack Joseph Puig. According to Hart, the song was written as a result of his family disowning him due to their disapproval of Hart's relationship with an older woman. The song is Tonic's most successful, becoming a hit in several countries, and has been described as "rock radio's most played song of 1997."

References

  1. 1 2 Goo Goo Dolls [@googoodolls] (September 17, 2020). "'Slide' was released as a single on this day in 1998 !!" (Tweet). Retrieved October 2, 2021– via Twitter.
  2. ↑ Rzeznik: "...the song is actually about these two teenage kids, and the girlfriend gets pregnant and... they're trying to decide whether she should get an abortion, or they should get married or what should go on..." (VH1 Storytellers: The Goo Goo Dolls, directly before they perform "Slide")
  3. ↑ Payne, Chris (May 31, 2018). "'Dizzy Up the Girl' 20 Years Later: The Goo Goo Dolls' Improbable Journey from the 'Cracks of Society' to the 'City of Angels'" . Billboard . Retrieved November 5, 2020.
  4. ↑ Cosores, Philip (July 4, 2017). "Ranking: Every Alternative Rock No. 1 Hit from Worst to Best". Consequence of Sound . Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Slide by Goo Goo Dolls – Digital Sheet Music". Musicnotes.com. April 28, 2008. MN0064961. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  6. 1 2 "Goo Goo Dolls Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 18, 2019.
  7. 1 2 "Goo Goo Dolls Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved January 18, 2019.
  8. 1 2 "Goo Goo Dolls Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 18, 2019.
  9. 1 2 "Goo Goo Dolls Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 18, 2019.
  10. 1 2 "Billboard Top 100 – 1999". Archived from the original on November 10, 2006. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
  11. ↑ "The Top 100 Pop Songs 1992-2012, from No. 100 to No. 1". Billboard . October 3, 2012.
  12. 1 2 "American single certifications – Goo Goo Dolls – Slide". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  13. 1 2 "Top RPM Singles: Issue 7047." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  14. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 9636". RPM . January 5, 1985. Retrieved January 18, 2019– via Library and Archives Canada.
  15. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2749". RPM. September 4, 1995. Retrieved January 18, 2019– via Library and Archives Canada.
  16. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 7039". RPM. November 2, 1998. Retrieved January 18, 2019– via Library and Archives Canada.
  17. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 10000". RPM. December 20, 1999. Retrieved January 18, 2019– via Library and Archives Canada.
  18. 1 2 "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 7480." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  19. 1 2 "Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Issue 7080." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  20. 1 2 "RPM 1999 Top 100 Hit Tracks". RPM. Retrieved November 8, 2018– via Library and Archives Canada.
  21. 1 2 "The Goo Goo Dolls – Slide". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  22. 1 2 "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1999 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved January 18, 2019.
  23. 1 2 "The Goo Goo Dolls – Slide". Top 40 Singles.
  24. 1 2 "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  25. 1 2 "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  26. 1 2 "Íslenski Listinn (9.4–16.4. 1999)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). April 9, 1999. p. 10. Retrieved October 5, 2019.
  27. ↑ Slide (UK CD single liner notes). Goo Goo Dolls. Edel Records, Hollywood Records, Third Rail Records. 1999. 0043955 ERE, 0102035HWR.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  28. ↑ Slide (Japanese CD single liner notes). Goo Goo Dolls. WEA Japan. 1998. WPCR-2166.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  29. ↑ Slide (European CD single liner notes). Goo Goo Dolls. Edel Records, Hollywood Records, Third Rail Records. 1999. 0043956ERE, 0102036HWR.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  30. 1 2 Slide (Australian maxi-CD single liner notes). Goo Goo Dolls. Third Rail Records. 1998. D1763.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  31. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  32. ↑ "Goo Goo Dolls Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 18, 2019.
  33. ↑ "Goo Goo Dolls Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved January 18, 2019.
  34. ↑ "Goo Goo Dolls Chart History (Rock Digital Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 18, 2019.
  35. ↑ "RPM's Top 100 Hit Tracks of '98" (PDF). RPM. Vol. 63, no. 12. December 14, 1998. p. 20. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
  36. ↑ "RPM's Top 50 Alternative Tracks of '98". RPM. Retrieved November 8, 2018– via Library and Archives Canada.
  37. ↑ "Most Played Adult Top 40 Songs of 1998". Airplay Monitor . Vol. 6, no. 52. December 25, 1998. p. 55.
  38. ↑ "The Year in Music 1998: Hot Modern Rock Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 52. December 26, 1998. p. YE-84.
  39. 1 2 "1999 The Year in Music" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 52. December 25, 1999. p. YE-100. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
  40. 1 2 "1999 The Year in Music" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 52. December 25, 1999. p. YE-90. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
  41. ↑ "Most Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 1999". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 7, no. 52. December 24, 1999. p. 54.
  42. ↑ "The Best of '99: Most Played Triple-A Songs". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 7, no. 52. December 24, 1999. p. 38.
  43. ↑ "スライド | グー・グー・ドールズ" [Slide | Goo Goo Dolls] (in Japanese). Oricon . Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  44. ↑ "New Releases – For Week Starting 15 March, 1999: Singles". Music Week . March 13, 1999. p. 27.
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.