Goo Goo Dolls - Better Days
I heard this on the radio today for the first time (I think?). I had to stop and make sure I wasn’t on one of the Christian radio stations in the area.
I have nothing but high praise for the Goo Goo Dolls for this song. Not sure exactly where they’re coming from in writing this, or whether they meant it to be as theologically accurate (from a certain perspective) or not, but it is an amazing song, and I fully plan on playing it at church ASAP this season.
You can currently hear a clip on The Goo Goo Dolls Web Site
Download it from iTunes: Better Days - Single
Goo Goo Dolls - Better Days And you ask me what I want this year And I try to make this kind and clear Just a chance that maybe we’ll find better days Cuz I don’t need boxes wrapped in strings And designer love and empty things Just a chance that maybe we’ll find better days So take these words And sing out loud Cuz everyone is forgiven now Cuz tonight’s the night the world begins again And it’s someplace simple where we could live And something only you can give And thats faith and trust and peace while we’re alive And the one poor child that saved this world And there’s 10 million more who probably could If we all just stopped and said a prayer for them So take these words And sing out loud Cuz everyone is forgiven now Cuz tonight’s the night the world begins again I wish everyone was loved tonight And somehow stop this endless fight Just a chance that maybe we’ll find better days So take these words And sing out loud Cuz everyone is forgiven now Cuz tonight’s the night the world begins again Cuz tonight’s the night the world begins again
Technorati Tags: goo goo dolls, music, christmas, better days
I think we (meaning Christians) should pay a little closer attention to “secular” songs. If we did, I think we’d understand and have a little more empathy for the longings and needs of the people around us. Unfortunately, when Christian leaders comment on contemporary culture, it’s usually from a judgmental perspective.
Wow, i just heard Better Days tonight on CBS Christmas Special..first time..same double take as you..Then googled the band name plus “Christian” and found your post.
Excellent comments
Our website with 2 categories relevant here.. Wine and Skins..and Reviews(God-haunted music) is down as i write..but try clicking..lots of resorces about “non-Christian” bands doing pretty God-touched music:
blessings..nice site
http://www.3dff.com/php
I did the same thing as the guy who posted right before I was amazed and checked out their name plus christian and found this. I really like the song, and I am curious to know why they wrote it and if it is same reason that I would hope for.
Matt
thanks for the encouraging email.
Our website is back up!
I posted a link to your site (and this post) on our “reviews” page , to let people in on your good stuff:
http://3dff.com/php/viewforum.php?f=18
glad you are on the journey
hey, i will be in touch..have contacts in IA..all my folks from there
dave
Ryan
so cool you found the site same way
Thank God for Google!
Matt has done soemthing right to have his site ranked so high on Google..maybe he “cheated” and prayed(:
dave
http://www.3dff.com/php
Hey Guys,
I was searching for the source of the Goo Good Dolls song as well and found this page. It’s encouraging to see other christians corresponding on the World Wide Web. Keep it up and always remember that our God is Strong and He’s mighty and there’s nothing our God cannot do.
God bless
T McLean
i found it the same way. amazing song.
i ALSO googled “goo goo dolls christian” & came across this site, i decided to check because after hearing better days and black ballon (”and i go on as you get colder, or are you someones prayer”) & other songs that didn’t technically relate to Christianity but the message could be about God i had to check it out - cool to see others noticed too!
lol, I did the same thing all of you did. I heard the song, wanted to know if they were saved and went to the only logical source……Google. Most of the song reflects truth, but there are some sketchy parts. I still cant tell if the know The Lord or not, but we can pray that they do or will. : )
God Bless guys
i’ve liked the goo goo dolls since city of angels when “iris” came out… but after gutterflower came out around 4 years ago i hadn’t heard a lot from them. then i stumbled across this song on the radio and listening to the lyrics, i wondered if it could be about Christianity. it seems like a change for them but i hope that’s what it is.
by the way–black balloon is about a drug addiction. i saw them on vh1 a long time ago and they explained a lot of their songs.
I did the same thing.. hehe, nice website! Better Days is a great song with a good purpose… I hope people really listen to the lyrics, whether they’re Christian or not, everyone should be practicing truth love hope and faith.
Haha.. I did the exact same thing too. A friend of mine posted the video and I couldn’t help but think that maybe the Goo’s converted! Haha.. I guess not.
I found this sight the same wayy all of you did. I wrote the lyrics out in a lett er format and sent it to my family & friends, but thought I would post it here too. I love this song! Even more, I love the meaning!
Enjoy!
You asked me for my Christmas list. But please understand that our happiness won’t be found in wants, desires, or material possessions. Our better days are to just ahead. Take this message and spread it around for there are enough of us feeling that empty hole inside that no thing can fill. Tonight is our chance to begin a new life, let’s change our thoughts and desires & make it a simple life where we give the most important gift to each other. That gift is Faith, Trust and Peace which Jesus Christ came to give, but why can’t we too? If we stopped for a moment to think of those around us and say a prayer for their true needs this world would be a better place; full of Faith, Trust and Peace. If we loved each other instead of judged each other our lives would be complete. If we put as much effort into relationships with each other as we do in attaining material goods, this world would be a better place to live. Tell everyone you know that happiness is found in Love, not in things. Tell them that we can stop the cycle of hatred and judgment by forgiving each other and lending a helping hand. Don’t wait till tomorrow to change your heart. Tonight is the night, and everyone will be sure to follow, because who does not want to be around someone with a cheerful and helpful heart. Tell everyone that you forgive them and change your heart right now!
Isn’t it funny how we all googled “goo goo dolls christian” and ended up here. Haha. I heard the line ‘if we all just stopped and said a prayer for them’ and thought they might have been christian. If not, they do have good clean music, and are great artists anyways.
haha yeah!! I did the same thing!!
Surprised they aren’t christian. Their lyrics do have quite strong statements. I’m sorta feeling bummed that they aren’t hehe. Anyways.
Krista, awesome translation!
wow, thats amazing how everyone on here found the website the same way. still would like to here something from the goo goo dolls themselves though
Hei all,
surprised to have found you all, with a site dedicated for this song. First of all, LOVEEE THIS SONNGG! My favorite. It’s weird, I’m not American, but how we all search it the same… Goo Goo Dolls Christian. Surprised when I heard this song.. i thought, Huh, they convert?? When? Too bad they haven’t. This band has huge talent for music, I hope we all pray for them… their salvation, cuz this song have touched so many hearts… including mine… and yours. Must be something going on that they write lyrics like this.. keep it in your prayers, short and sincere.. Love you all.
Same ol same ol. Found this site the same way. What an amazing song (Better Days). I had heard of the Goos, but had never heard any of their songs. Was scanning the radio (out of the area of my regular Christian station) and heard it. Thought I had found another Christian station (hadn’t). I just had to see if they were Christians. Wonder if the singers realize there are so many people thinking the same thing! I’ve been to their site now and perhaps am a new fan. I just hope that if they are in “search” mode that they find the “truth” as so many of us have. Praise the Lord for He is good! Seek and ye shall find!
Blessing to y’all during this Holy season.
I heard a goo goo dolls song (Here is Gone), decided to search for more (Iris, Black Ballon, then this), then heard “Better days” and decided to see if they might be christian and searched “goo goo dolls christian” and here you all are, doing pretty much the same thing. Coincidence? Odd nonetheless. God Bless.
Like everyone else, I googled the same words and ended up here. The first time I heard that song, the hairs literally stood up on my arms. Those words definitely speak truth. I think that Christian or not, we all long to be loved and accepted - we are wired that way. I love the message of hope and forgiveness - and know that God uses us, despite us. Amen for that!
Hey,
I did something a tad bit diffrent…I googled “Better Days Goo Goo Dolls Christian Song”…I wanted to know if other people thought of it that way cuz when I first heard it I thought it was also. I’m a Christian also. The Goo Goo Dolls are my favorite band. The leader, actually, grew up Catholic and I know he believes in God. He said that in his official biography - http://wave-fan-4ever.tripod.com/bulletproof/id6.html - you can read it here. It’s really sad but the part that sticks out is somewhere in the middle where he tells why he believes in God. I also saw a video where someone (a peace type reporter) asked if he was “spiritual” and he said that he prays and trys to do the right thing. I also know that Robby, the other guitar player, grew up Catholic but I haven’t read or heard anything current. He does always say God Bless __ in his blogs. And Mike I haven’t heard anything for him either. Wow, I wrote a lot. Well ttyl.
~Jenna
I was at the “LET FREEDOM RING” Youth Rally in Bethpage,New York. The Youth leader played the song “Better Days” he was saying what a great message that was, because with Jesus Christ you will always have better days.
When I came home I ran to my computer and downloaded the song and went online to find more info about the band.I came across this site and just wanted to say that
Im a Born Again Christian and I love that song. Keep up the good work. =]
google is soooo helpful. yeh, I typed in “goo goo dolls christian too!!” I lead a youth group meeting last night and was tempted to use the new CD for the closing time. If it isn’t Christian it SURE is an example of “common grace” at full blast!! He did a concert for my company, very small audience of just a few thousand, this was a few years ago. A picked on the fact that he was very dry and even expressed how he wished he had new songs to play. Could it be he had a spiritual experience after that time? In any case, more power to the goo goo dolls, what a positive CD….and real.
That’s really freaky how we all typed in the same phrase. First hit on google from “goo goo dolls christian” led to this site, good work. Would like to see what the beliefs of the Goo Goo Dolls are, from his lyrics, it really could be anything, but you can’t rule out the possibility…
I also googled “goo goo dolls christian” and this was the first site listed. I want to check out the whole album now.
I personally am very happy to find this discussion on this topic. Personal I think one or all of Goo Goo Dolls are Christian.
Hear me out…There have been a few Christian bands out there that have “flown below the raidar” so to speak. They may not mention God, Jesus, Lord, etc. but the message is there for sure.
remember people 9/10 times when the topic of love is brought up in a song, you can relate it to God because God IS LOVE! God is very capable of using “secular” artists to get His message of love and hope out to the world. I know this for a fact!
Love the album, GGDs ROCK!
I also got here by the same means as all of the above :) You know, in the video “Better Days” (available from the iTunes Music Store), they show words carved into trees; Faith, Hope, Truth, Love.
The Holy Spirit is working in John Rzeznik’s life. That I do believe.
This song is great, but I guess I’ve seen no reason to believe he is a Christian. I’ve read that he grew up in a Catholic family, but have seen or heard nothing else from him along those lines in interviews, his music (with the exception of this song), or other visible areas of his life.
The language is fairly obvious in this song, but again, is just slightly off enough to not be 100% true. Everyone is NOT forgiven… everyone has ACCESS to forgiveness. There is a large difference.
Hoewever, some of your comments above definitely ring true. Anytime love is portrayed in a song, or art or literaure of anykind, or ANYWHERE else, there is a glimpse of God. God IS Love. But not all that we call love actually is love.
I googled also and found this. I was listening to the CD, and heard a couple songs about the Lord, and Love. I like how they are doing it the way God intended. Bring the Word to the World, and not keep it hidden in the Church/”Christian Music”, Satan hates this dearly. Why would a lost non-saved person listen to music that is labeled Christian in the first place?
We need to start letting the Spirit lead us, and HE shows us exactly what to do, we need to stop leaning toward our own understanding and thoughts, and start doing what LOVE is telling us to do.
Quote:
“…but have seen or heard nothing else from him along those lines in interviews, his music (with the exception of this song), or other visible areas of his life.”
–>I think that is intentional I think. And as for visable, maybe for now he is having quite personal time with God on his own. There is nothing wrong with that. Remember, he has an image he needs to maintain to stay popular in the secular world so he can keep getting the truth out. One of these days
I’m sure he will open up. P.O.D is the same way, they are very christian, but you don’t see them yelling it at the top of their lungs except in their music with descretness. GGDs are just doing the same thing!
Quote:
“Everyone is NOT forgiven… everyone has ACCESS to forgiveness. There is a large difference.”
–>No quite true, everyone is forgiven but not everyone accepts it or recives it.
Remember Paul said “While we were STILL sinners, Christ died for us” Forgivness was poured out on the world the second Christ died on the cross. The question is, will you accept the forgivness already given to us? We are forgiven even before we commit the sin(s). The gift of forgivness is up to us.
Yep found it exactly the same way after listening to this on the radio… and typing “Goo Goo dolls christian’ in google.. haha
I think the Goo Goo Dolls (or at least Johnny Rezeznik, as he writes the songs) have become Christian in their personal life, but are unwilling to go full-blown Christian in their music, so they drop subtle hints like in Better Days. I’m a huge fan and have seen quite a change from their songs in the 90’s (sometimes even using swear words) to now, using words like ‘God-given’ and ‘prayer’ in their songs. They are in amazing band, and I would be thrilled to find out that they are Christian. Some non-Christian fans were disappointed with the album, and I think it’s because the Goo Goo Dolls are slowly losing their wordly perspective on life.
And yes, I googled this same as the rest of you. Kind of freaky, really.
There’s a lot of speculation going on here… “I think they are Christian”. I honestly still haven’t seen or heard anything to make me suspect that…
So, I guess I was like everyone else and googled “goo goo dolls christian” I always loved the lyrics that they used, but when I heard this song on that new commercial on abc, I had to look it up and see others’ suspicions. :) I think I’ll go explore your site now.
Very amusing that we all found this site the same way–and from the same song. Very neat. Here I go to explore the site as well.
I found this site the same way. Well, this song seems to have some christian ideas in it definitely and it was on a christmas album of course too.
I’ve read interviews where rzeznik says the f-word a lot but those are from a couple years ago…I dunno if that means anything. The song “Slide” is about abortion but i’m not sure if he’s for or against it, anyone know?
GOO GOO DOLLS ARE…PRETTY GOOD…PROBABLY
LOL, That’s funny, I also googled “Goo Goo Dolls Christian” and this is the first site listed. Great stuff. plus The Goo Goo Dolls are from Buffalo NY, My home town!
Typed goo goo christian too…
I just went to a good dolls show last night. It was amazing. rzeznik is a really cool and funny guy..very entertaining..opneing gifts people in the fans gave him,,things like that. He did drop the f bomb alot..i dont personally like hearing that.. but whatever. I sure he believes in god..but nontheless he has a great and truthful view on life. I think god is working in him dffinitley. i love the goo goo dolls and deffinitley have alot of respect for them..i wouldnt want them too be labeled “christian” because that could cause them problems..but if i know they all had strong faith i would be very glad. What do you guys think of their song Acoustic #3? i love it personally. A really well writeen song. And yes i googlesd the same thing all of you did
Wow, he dropped the f-bomb? What a shame. I thought for sure after seeing him on Jay Leno tonight and seeing a cross around his neck he was a Christian (which led me to this site btw).
Wow. Today’s a year ago the first response was posted! I only heard the song yesterday, and I thought, ‘Hey, are the Goo Goo Dolls Christians?’ Yes - google… lol!
Hm… I don’t think someone saying f* means they’re not Christian. But wearing a cross around your neck doesn’t mean that you are.
Reading up awayz I must say it’s always great to read someone’s gone through positive changes!
In any case; a good while back I scrutinized the music I had been listening to and I cut out some bands, but Goo Goo Dolls passed that test easily! I love their music and will continue to listen to it either way!
Yup, seems like a lot of Christians out there (including me) wanted to find out that the song was written with Christianity as its fuel..
But as Sabrina says, people that advertise their religious beliefs may not be anymore a believer than someone who seems not to be.. I’m sure I don’t seem to be a Christian to the majority of people.
It makes me happy however, to hear something as mainstream and popular as the Goo Goo Dolls to come out with something that sounds very much like a Christian album to me.
It also makes me happy to see how many people decided to search for Goo Goo Dolls + Christian in google!
^
how could i resist with it being played on christian radio station, but then they said they also play uplifting music.
alot of bands also have some kind of spiritual member in it, with some type of religion behind them, and can influence a songs lyrics.
what you should have googled, rather than ‘goo goo dolls’ and ‘christian’ was ‘better days lyrics meaning’.
while i too wondered if the song was a christian inspired one, it could also be concieved as a ‘new years’ type song.
but no, thats also wrong. apparently they wrote it after hurricane katrina and everyone knows that tragedy makes a lot of non-religious people become temorarily spiritual. remember how many people loved george bush after 9-11? everyone was praying and asking God to help, but slowly and surely, that has dwindled. too bad.
I came across this by accident and thought your readers should know the real background of this group and song:
It was first released as a special Christmas CD for Target in 2004. It became the CNN theme song following hurricane Katrina, but because CNN found it appropraite. Goo Goo Dolls performed at a benefit for adoption (Home for the Holidays) with an audience of children waving glow sticks in unison was beyond moving. In general, the Goo Goo Dolls collect food bank donations at every one of their concerts, and have done so for YEARS.
My point is that the Goo Goo Dolls embody the spirit of Christianity in their music and careers, without having to broadcase that they are Christian. A review once quoted: “John Rzeznik is one of the most prolific poets of our generation and songs like this are proof of his genuine genius for touching souls.” He write writes from his heart, and the Goo Goo Dolls music touches many, all across the world.
I, like plenty of others here, also put in “Goo Goo Dolls” and “Christian” and found this link. Isn’t that crazy? I swear their new album has a few songs that seem religious, especially this one. There was another one too.
they deffninitley are not a chrsitian band but they send good messages for the right reasons…deffinitley a genis writer…and he drops the fbomb during shows..so what hes goodnatured and funny…but i doubt a hardcore christian band is going to use that word freely..
Is it Christian? I guess so.
But it’s certainly one of the best modern Christmas carols, and WAY better than the happy clappy stuff thrust down the throats of so many who have now foresaken Church whilst still believing in God.
I just saw their concert a couple days ago in Chicago. Rzeznik did drop the f-bomb a lot… though I guess he was funny and entertaining. Besides he’s a “rock star.” After intently listening to songs on their new album “Let Love In” i found so many references to God! I really dont know about their faith, but thats not for us to judge I guess. I enjoy their music… sometimes their songs reminds me of God… even if that wasn’t their intentions, its good stuff.
Here are lyrics that made me think hmm?
From Let Love in:
“You smile hiding behind
A God-given facee”
this seems to be about someone like a friend however they do mention a God-given face, and in their other songs they mention angels and prayer sometimes (even though a bunch of non-Christians do) however personally I think he a least believes in a God then.. maybe?
From Without You Here:
Your love’s a gathered storm I chased across the sky
A moment in your arms became the reason why
And you’re still the only light that fills the emptiness
The only one I need until my dying breath
…That love could kill the pain
Truth is never vain
It turns strangers into lovers
And enemies to brothers
… It seems the ones who love us are the ones
That we deceive
But you’re changing everything
You’re changing everything in me
…And now, now that you’re near
There’s nothing more without you
Without you here
This song seems too deep to be about a girl. Unless this girl shines out love like a “gathered storm.” And why would he talk about love turning enemies to brothers if it was about a girl? Who else can be the “you” anyways? This song makes me wonder if Rzeznik experienced something spiritual before releasing an album titled Let Love In and now its “changing everything in [him]”
From Can’t Let it Go:
You said you’d light a candle
And you’d say a prayer for me
I feel the light has dimmed and gone
Half the world is begging
While the other half steals
Where did everything go wrong?
…Some days I can’t believe
Others, I’m on my knees
Trying to be heard
The first verse seems like a story of how the songwriter felt abandoned by the fallen church, and how if they’re so many Christians then why are so many hungry? (Where did everything go wrong?) Then the second verse shows that the songwriter is someone that has been torn between his faith
From Become:
Let me remind you
The light doesn’t blind you at all
It just helps you see
Can you see
Yeah you have become
Yeh you have become beautiful
To me this is a song about how we are beautiful by God’s grace. It reminds me how so many people are afraid to accept Jesus. I love the lyrics “the light doesn’t blind you at all, it just helps you see. can you see?” People in this world are so afraid of being blinded by believing in some “fake God”, when they don’t realize that the light is here to help them!
Well that was my input! I hope these guys are Christian. And nonetheless they’re a talented bunch that produce great songs.
Perhaps it was google that brought us all here, but I don’t believe that anything happens without purpose, especially for those of us who attempt to align ourselves with the will of the Father. That may sound silly, but I just read a book by Ravi Zacharias called “The Grand Weaver”, and I highly reccommend that you do the same.
Anyway, about the Goo Goo Dolls….
I have been a fan of their music for as long as I can remember.
I love listening to “secular” music and pulling out meanings that often the artist never intended to be there.
“Better Days” is a song about redemption and forgivness, there is no hiding it’s meaning. This is a song written for a purpose. Whether or not the members of the Goo Goo Dolls are actually saved, I can’t speak to. All I know is that over the years, alot of their music has spoken to me.
I got here the same way after seeing them on Leno and listening to the words of Let Love In. I hope they are believers but want to say that it is encouraging to see the others of us who are.
Share the Good News!
hey be a bit careful. love the song! but its a bit theologically incorrect. one poor child who saved this world = jesus , 10million more probably could? we humans are born with a sinful nature so yea spiritually and physically impossible.
haha wat a waste though. would be an amazing song for worship. anyway i guess switchfoot is still the best :D or u could change the lyrics. haha cheers =)
well, guess how i ended up here… still a little late as i see now. today i heard the album let love in the first time - even though i am a big fan of the goo goo dolls. Still i live in Germany and they are not very known here. and i will probably never have the chance to go to a concert…
However, the first thing i thought when i heard their songs was that they talk about my Jesus. Today is Easter-friday, the day Jesus died and just this morning i thought about how easter changed our whole world (everyone is forgiven now Cuz tonight’s the night the world begins again) because of what HE has done. In Jesus we are all brothers and sisters.
I think the goo goo dolls have great meaningful songs even if they are not technically christian but i beleive in a sense we all are, we all came from god and we are all the same so i htink people need to stop being so judgemental (especially christians) no offense i am christian too but some christians become arrogant beleiving they are so rightous. we are all one everyone in the world and i think if we just relised that things would be so much better and people need to be more open to thingsto relise that we are all good like the goo goo dolls, they may be a rock band but that dusnt mean they are bad people.
googlery, that could mean that 10 million could if we didn’t teach them hate and showed them love,, then they’d show love to a lost world. not that they’d easily be a christ.
You guys make Christianity sound like a cult. Atleast you guys are all “saved”….lol.
I agree with Ryan. Christians are some of the most judgmental things alive. If they were born Hindu, or new more about science, or even put themselves in other peoples positions they would have completely different opinions. Their religion is historically inaccurate and they get on people for whether they do or do not believe something happened 2000 years ago. It has nothing to do with being a good person or not, and it really doesn’t matter what people believe; some people just choose to think more and realize the bible will just be taken less literally year after year until it is completely dissected. Stop acting like God brought you all here because you all typed Christianity into Goo Goo Dolls.