Studio Album · No. 5
A Boy Named Goo Songwriting Credits by Goo Goo Dolls
Produced by Lou Giordano, Rob Cavallo, Goo Goo Dolls · Engineered by Lou Giordano, Jerry Finn
Metal Blade Records
Alternative rockPost-grungePower pop
85%
Authorship
Holds writing credit on 11 of 13 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 11 / 13 documented
Who wrote the songs?
Scored across the 13 tracks with documented writers, by whether Goo Goo Dolls carries a lyricist or composer credit.
11 trackswritten by Goo Goo Dolls
2 tracksoutside writers
Goo Goo Dolls's roles on this album
Share of the 13 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
Lyricist85%
Composer85%
Producer15%
Performer100%
By the Numbers
13
Tracks
9
Lyricists
3
Producers
2 million
US Copies Sold
1995
Released
Data Insight
A Boy Named Goo is the band's commercial breakthrough, driven by John Rzeznik's acoustic-leaning ballad "Name," which he wrote and which reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. By now Rzeznik is the dominant songwriter and frontman, and the album's success reshaped the band around his melodic writing. Lou Giordano produced most of it, with Rob Cavallo handling two tracks.
Track Listing & Credits 13 tracks
Written by the artist
Written by outside writers
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Long Way Down
|
John Rzeznik | John Rzeznik | Lou Giordano | John Rzeznik (Lead Vocals) |
| 2 |
Burnin' Up
|
John RzeznikRobby TakacGeorge Tutuska | John RzeznikRobert TakacGeorge Tutuska | Lou Giordano | Robby Takac (Lead Vocals) |
| 3 |
Naked
|
John Rzeznik | John Rzeznik | Lou Giordano | John Rzeznik (Lead Vocals) |
| 4 |
Flat Top
|
John Rzeznik | John Rzeznik | Lou Giordano | John Rzeznik (Lead Vocals) |
| 5 |
Impersonality
|
John RzeznikRobby TakacGeorge Tutuska | John RzeznikRobert TakacGeorge Tutuska | Lou Giordano | Robby Takac (Lead Vocals) |
| 6 |
Name
#5
|
John Rzeznik | John Rzeznik | Lou Giordano | John Rzeznik (Lead Vocals) |
| 7 |
Only One
|
John Rzeznik | John Rzeznik | Lou Giordano | John Rzeznik (Lead Vocals) |
| 8 |
Somethin' Bad
|
John RzeznikRobby TakacGeorge Tutuska | John RzeznikRobert TakacGeorge Tutuska | Lou Giordano | Robby Takac (Lead Vocals) |
| 9 |
Ain't That Unusual
|
John Rzeznik | John Rzeznik | Lou Giordano | John Rzeznik (Lead Vocals) |
| 10 |
So Long
|
John RzeznikRobby TakacGeorge Tutuska | John RzeznikRobert TakacGeorge Tutuska | Lou Giordano | Robby Takac (Lead Vocals) |
| 11 |
Eyes Wide Open
|
John RzeznikRobby TakacGeorge Tutuska | John RzeznikRobert TakacGeorge Tutuska | Lou Giordano | John Rzeznik (Lead Vocals) |
| 12 |
Disconnected
|
BompczykGuarigliaSecristSuchman | BompczykGuarigliaSecristSuchman | Rob CavalloGoo Goo Dolls | John Rzeznik (Lead Vocals) |
| 13 |
Slave Girl
|
BloodJakimyszyn | BloodJakimyszyn | Rob CavalloGoo Goo Dolls | John Rzeznik (Lead Vocals) |
Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 13 contributors
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Frequently Asked Questions A Boy Named Goo
Who wrote Name by the Goo Goo Dolls?
"Name" was written by John Rzeznik. He has said it came together almost accidentally, and it became the band's breakthrough hit, reaching No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Was A Boy Named Goo the Goo Goo Dolls' breakthrough album?
Yes. Powered by "Name," A Boy Named Goo became the band's commercial breakthrough and was certified 2x Platinum in the United States. It moved them from cult punk band to mainstream rock act.
Did John Rzeznik write most of A Boy Named Goo?
Rzeznik was the dominant songwriter by this album, writing its biggest songs including "Name." His melodic, acoustic-leaning writing increasingly defined the band's sound from here on.
Is A Boy Named Goo by the Goo Goo Dolls certified platinum?
Yes. It was certified 2x Platinum by the RIAA in the United States and Platinum in Canada. It was their first major commercial success.
When was A Boy Named Goo by the Goo Goo Dolls released?
A Boy Named Goo was released on March 14, 1995, through Warner Bros. and Metal Blade Records. It was the band's fifth studio album.
What genre is A Boy Named Goo by the Goo Goo Dolls?
A Boy Named Goo is an alternative rock and post-grunge album with power pop melodies. It bridges their punk past and the polished rock of their later hits.