Black Balloon (Goo Goo Dolls song)

"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.

"Black Balloon"
Single by Goo Goo Dolls
from the album Dizzy Up the Girl
ReleasedJune 7, 1999 (1999-06-07)
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 died of an overdose of 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.[2][3] "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.[4][5] In Canada, the song reached number three on the RPM Top Singles chart, giving the Goo Goo Dolls their fourth top-three hit there.[6] 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.[7][8]

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.[9]

Track listings

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[29] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref(s).
United States June 7, 1999 Active rock radio Warner Bros. [30]
June 8, 1999 Contemporary hit radio [31][32]
United Kingdom February 14, 2000
  • CD
  • cassette
[33]

References
  1. "The Best Alternative Rock Songs of 1999". Spin. p. 6. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  2. "Goo Goo Dolls Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  3. "Goo Goo Dolls Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  4. Pietroluongo, Silvio (September 25, 1999). "Hot 100 Singles Spotlight". Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 39. p. 105. The Goo Goo Dolls debut at No. 28 on the sales chart with 'Black Balloon' (Warner Bros.), their first retail single since 1995's 'Name.'
  5. "Goo Goo Dolls Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  6. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 8447." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  7. "Íslenski Listinn Sætin 21 til 40 (4.11 – 11.11 1999)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). November 5, 1999. p. 10. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
  8. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  9. "Goo Goo Dolls - 5 - Black Balloon - Live at Red Rocks". December 19, 2009. Archived from the original on December 19, 2021. Retrieved April 4, 2020 – via YouTube.
  10. Black Balloon (US CD single liner notes). Goo Goo Dolls. Warner Bros. Records. 1999. 9 16946-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. Black Balloon (US 7-inch single sleeve). Goo Goo Dolls. Warner Bros. Records. 1999. 7-16946.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. Black Balloon (US cassette single sleeve). Goo Goo Dolls. Warner Bros. Records. 1999. 9 16946-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. Black Balloon (Australian CD single liner notes). Goo Goo Dolls. Festival Records, Hollywood Records. 1999. D1927.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. Black Balloon (UK CD single liner notes). Goo Goo Dolls. Hollywood Records, Edel, Third Rail Records. 1999. 0103115HWR.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. Black Balloon (European CD single liner notes). Goo Goo Dolls. Hollywood Records, Edel, Third Rail Records. 1999. 0103116HWR.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 8431." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  17. "Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Issue 8445." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  18. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  19. "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  20. "Goo Goo Dolls Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  21. "Goo Goo Dolls Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  22. "Goo Goo Dolls Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  23. "RPM 1999 Top 100 Hit Tracks". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  24. "RPM 1999 Top 100 Adult Contemporary". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  25. "RPM 1999 Top 50 Rock Tracks". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  26. "Billboard Top 100 – 1999". Archived from the original on July 9, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
  27. "1999 – The Year in Music" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 52. December 25, 1999. p. 148. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
  28. "1999 The Year in Music". Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 52. December 25, 1999. p. YE-100. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
  29. "American single certifications – Goo Goo Dolls – Black Balloon". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
  30. "Adds for June 7 & 8". Gavin Report. No. 2257. May 28, 1999. p. 45.
  31. "New Releases". Radio & Records. No. 1302. June 4, 1999. p. 42.
  32. "Gavin T40/Rhythm Crossover: Impact Dates". Gavin Report. No. 2258. June 7, 1999. p. 12.
  33. "New Releases – For Week Starting 14 February, 2000: Singles". Music Week. February 12, 2000. p. 31.
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