Fearless

Album: Miracle Pill (2019)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This track from the Goo Goo Dolls' 12th studio album is about daring to live fearlessly in a scared world. Lead singer John Rzeznik said he was inspired by the anxious state of 21st-century America and the fear-mongering media. He told Grammy.com: "That song is definitely about where this society, and the world at large, is sort of perched precariously. And I don't know how much is media-driven, I do not know how much is reality. Because I think the wounds of this country are real. I don't think they were ever properly healed and resolved because of a small group of peoples' unbridled greed.

    I think the media has a great way of irritating a wound to the point where it becomes sensationalized. And it's like, no, these things need to be addressed in a thoughtful way. It's like, you can't explain your position on climate change in a 10 second soundbite. But that's the world that we live in."
  • The Goo Goo Dolls started out as a punk-rock outfit in the '80s and transitioned into radio friendly alt-rock stars in the '90s thanks to the hit ballads "Name," "Iris," and "Slide." The Goos continued to toy with their sound in the 21st century, experimenting with different genres and instrumentation. In 2019, Rzeznik told Forbes it was crucial to keep evolving as a band and as a songwriter. "It's very important to me. As time goes on, your worldview changes and your abilities change. You just change as a person. I find it really exciting to make a record that somebody still wants to listen to this far into our career," he said. "I love David Bowie. And it just amazes me how the music changed as time went on. He knew where to look, you know? He knew where to look for inspiration."
  • Michael Perlmutter, a music supervisor for TV shows like Beauty And The Beast, The Handmaid's Tale and Vikings, directed the comic-book-inspired music video that features everyday people who face their fears to achieve great things.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Elton John

Elton JohnFact or Fiction

Does he have beef with Gaga? Is he Sean Lennon's godfather? See if you can tell fact from fiction in the Elton John edition.

Bands Named After Real People (Who Aren't In The Band)

Bands Named After Real People (Who Aren't In The Band)Song Writing

How a gym teacher, a janitor, and a junkie became part of some very famous band names.

Chris Isaak

Chris IsaakSongwriter Interviews

Chris tells the story of "Wicked Game," talks milkshakes and moonpies at Sun Records, and explains why women always get their way.

Dwight Twilley

Dwight TwilleySongwriter Interviews

Since his debut single "I'm On Fire" in 1975, Dwight has been providing Spinal-Tap moments and misadventure.

Rupert Hine

Rupert HineSongwriter Interviews

Producer Rupert Hine talks about crafting hits for Tina Turner, Howard Jones and The Fixx.

Matt Sorum

Matt SorumSongwriter Interviews

When he joined Guns N' Roses in 1990, Matt helped them craft an orchestral sound; his mezzo fortes and pianissimos are all over "November Rain."