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Black Balloon (Goo Goo Dolls song)
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = Black Balloon
| cover = Goo Goo Dolls Black Balloon.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Goo Goo Dolls
| album = Dizzy Up the Girl
| released =
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = Alternative rock
| length = 3:55
| label = Warner Bros.
| writer = John Rzeznik
| producer = Rob Cavallo, Goo Goo Dolls
| prev_title = Dizzy
| prev_year = 1999
| next_title = Broadway
| next_year = 2000
| misc =
}}
"'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 number three in Canada, number 16 in the United States and number 23 in Iceland.
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.
Chart performance
The track reached number 13 and number 28 on the US 'Billboard' Modern Rock Tracks and Mainstream Rock Tracks charts, respectively. "Black Balloon" was the band's first commercially released single in the US since "Name" in 1995, reaching number 16 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100 with its combined sales and airplay figures. In Canada, the song reached number three on the 'RPM' Top Singles chart, giving the Goo Goo Dolls their fourth top-three hit there. Outside North America, the song charted in Iceland and the United Kingdom, reaching number 23 in the former country and number 76 in the latter.
Music video
The video for the song opens with a woman blowing smoke into a soap bubble. The video then shows scenes from a 1950s era swim club while the band performs the song. The video was directed by Nancy Bardawil.
Live performances
During live performances of the song, fans can often be seen inflating black balloons and batting them around in the crowd.
Track listings
'US CD, 7-inch, and cassette single'
# "Black Balloon" (radio remix) 4:09
# "Slide" (live version) 3:33
'Australian CD single'
# "Black Balloon"
# "Lazy Eye"
# "Naked" (remix)
# "Flat Top"
'UK CD single'
# "Black Balloon" (radio edit) 3:59
# "Black Balloon" (album version) 4:10
# "Naked" 3:44
'European CD single'
# "Black Balloon" (radio edit) 3:59
# "Naked" 3:44
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Certifications
Release history
References
Category:1998 songs
Category:1999 singles
Category:Black-and-white music videos
Category:Edel AG singles
Category:Goo Goo Dolls songs
Category:Hollywood Records singles
Category:Song recordings produced by Rob Cavallo
Category:Songs about heroin
Category:Songs written by John Rzeznik
Category:Warner Records singles
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