Black Balloon (Goo Goo Dolls song)

"Black Balloon" is a song recorded by the Goo Goo Dolls. It was released in June 1999 as the fourth single from the band's 1998 album, Dizzy Up the Girl, and reached number three in Canada, number 16 in the United States and number 23 in Iceland.

"Black Balloon"
Single by Goo Goo Dolls
from the album Dizzy Up the Girl
ReleasedJune 8, 1999
GenreAlternative rock[1]
Length3:55
LabelWarner Bros.
Songwriter(s)John Rzeznik
Producer(s)Rob Cavallo, Goo Goo Dolls
Goo Goo Dolls singles chronology
"Dizzy"
(1999)		 "Black Balloon"
(1999)		 "Broadway"
(2000)
Music video
"Black Balloon" on YouTube

Meaning and composition

The song, according to lead singer John Rzeznik, is based on a woman who is struggling with a heroin addiction and her lover who is desperately trying to save her. He has also said that it is about "seeing someone you love that is so great just screw up so bad." Speculation as to the exact subject matter of the song has also been attributed to the ex-wife of bassist Robby Takac (who had overdosed on heroin).

Like many other songs by Goo Goo Dolls, "Black Balloon" uses an unusual alternate tuning. Several electric guitars used in the introduction and the acoustic rhythm guitar are tuned to an open D-flat fifth chord. It was half-stepped on the album version.

Music video

The video for the song opens with a woman blowing smoke into a soap bubble (a "black balloon"). The video then changes focus and shows various scenes from a 1950s or 1960s era swim club while the band performs the song. Tracy Phillips is found in this video as well. The video was done by Nancy Bardwell.

During live performances of the song, fans can often be seen inflating black balloons and batting them around in the crowd.[2]

Chart performance

The track was moderately successful at rock radio, reaching number 13 and number 28 on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks and Mainstream Rock Tracks charts, respectively. It also became the fourth pop hit for the band, reaching number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100. In Canada, the song reached number three on the RPM Top Singles chart, giving the Goo Goo Dolls their fourth top-three hit in that country. Outside North America, the song only managed to chart in the United Kingdom in February 2000, debuting at number 76 then falling out of the top 100 the next week.

Track listing

United States release

  1. "Black Balloon (Radio Remix)" - 4:10
  2. "Slide (Live)" - 3:33

United Kingdom release

  1. "Black Balloon (Radio Edit)" - 4:01
  2. "Black Balloon (Album Version)" - 4:10
  3. "Naked" - 3:44

Australia release

  1. "Black Balloon"
  2. "Lazy Eye"
  3. "Naked (Remix)"
  4. "Flat Top"

Charts

References
  1. "The Best Alternative Rock Songs of 1999". Spin. p. 6. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  2. "Goo Goo Dolls - 5 - Black Balloon - Live at Red Rocks". December 19, 2009. Retrieved April 4, 2020 – via YouTube.
  3. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 8447." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  4. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 8431." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  5. "Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Issue 8445." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  6. "Íslenski Listinn Sætin 21 til 40 (4.11 – 11.11 1999)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). November 5, 1999. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
  7. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  8. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  9. "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  10. "Goo Goo Dolls Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  11. "Goo Goo Dolls Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  12. "Goo Goo Dolls Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  13. "Goo Goo Dolls Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  14. "Goo Goo Dolls Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  15. "Goo Goo Dolls Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  16. "RPM 1999 Top 100 Hit Tracks". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  17. "RPM 1999 Top 100 Adult Contemporary". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  18. "RPM 1999 Top 50 Rock Tracks". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  19. "Billboard Top 100 – 1999". Archived from the original on July 9, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
  20. "1999 – The Year in Music" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 111 no. 52. December 25, 1999. p. 148. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
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