This article first appeared in the September/October 2003 issue of American Songwriter magazine
It all started 17 years ago in Buffalo, New York, when a rock band at the time believed in keeping it simple: Play fast and loud. After all, it was about the music, not the pictures! Now, John Resnick and Robbie Takac are at the top of their game, and that can be heard on their latest CDs. Gutter Flower.
The Goo Goo Dolls’ commercial success came with their sixth album, Dizzy Up The Girl, which produced five hits and two No. 1 singles including “Dizzy,” “Slide,” “Black Balloon,” “Broadway,” “Broadway,” “Dizzy,” and “Slide.” From the hit movie. City of Angels, “Iris.”
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When American songwriter We sat down with Rzeznik and Takac, and found that each artist approaches their craft differently. Rzeznik is the hit-maker, and Takac still crafts the same heavy-flavored melodies that their fierce followers have come to rely on.
What’s the most fun song you’ve ever written?
Butcher: “A big machine.” Before I wrote the words, I used to enjoy listening to music. It’s really weird.
What was the hardest song you’ve ever written?
Takac: The hardest song I ever wrote, I couldn’t finish it because it was too hard. You know, I have tapes and tapes of songs that I’ve written that are so hard that I can’t finish them. Sometimes, I think if it’s that hard, maybe I need to move on, and that’s what I generally do.
Which song are you most proud of?
Butcher: I’m proud of all my songs, but I’m proud of “Iris” because it was a huge hit, and I’m proud of “Slide” because everyone was saying it was a happy song. Did you really listen to the lyrics? He’s talking painfully like hell! It made me proud that I can be that smart. I’m proud of “Empathy” because it’s the most autobiographical thing I’ve ever written. I’m proud that I kept it simple on the record. It could have easily turned into an overblown song, but I thought it would get away from the true meaning of the song.
What was the easiest song you’ve ever written?
Takac: A song called Amigon. It was one of those songs where the lyrics were already there. I started reworking them for our record. That rarely happens to me, but for that song it did.
What’s your favorite song to play live?
Butcher“All Eyes on Me” is a big jam. It’s my song “Who”. That’s what I was thinking when I wrote it.
Your band is known for its live shows. Do you write songs that you know will work well with your live show?
Takac: I’ve never thought about it, but gosh, I hope so. I think I need to think about it more. I think it all comes up because you know in the end you know you’re going to have to walk in front of a bunch of people and play these songs, so I’m sure at some point your psyche is going to say: “Okay, well, I know what people like, because I’ve been watching them for a long time.
What is the songwriting process for writing Gutter FlowerWhat mindset were you in – what were you thinking, and was it recorded in the log?
Butcher: I just sat down to play guitar for fun. I try to feel the instrument, and I try to feel what playing the guitar did to me in my worst moments. There’s a lot of freedom in that, and then, all of a sudden, Pamo, you come across something. And then you have to chase it, and it works. The spark of inspiration is a split second, and you have to open your eyes to it. After that, you have to get out the hammer and nails and start crafting the song. And
Do you have a songwriting process, and if so, what does it entail?
Takac: It entails jamming whatever tool I’m using at that moment, and when something ignites, it starts working. But without that flash of inspiration, you have nothing. You just sit there and work on it until “Poof!” It happens, and then there you go. And then you say: “Wow! This is so great! Or “I’m not sure, but I’ll know tomorrow when I wake up.” You don’t wake up from drugs or alcohol, but from the fact that you allow yourself to do something good.
What song or album really inspired you to become a songwriter instead of just joining a band?
Butcher: When I heard the music from Tim (Alternatives, 1985), and I said, “I feel what this guy feels!” When you’re young, “Oh yeah, I’m going to imitate him,” and that’s what we did. That’s all we did. That’s all I wanted to be. I wanted to be a combination of Tom Petty, Bob Mould and Paul Westerberg. I’ve been given the luxury to go beyond my influences a little bit. These are the people who taught me; these were my mentors, whether they knew it or not. I always showed them deserved respect and my heart. Westerberg had a soul worth a hundred miles.
What kind of advice would you give to an aspiring songwriter just starting out?
Takac: Make sure you like what you write because it could be a hit and you’ll have to play it 500 times.
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