Truth Is A Whisper

Album: Gutterflower (2002)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This guitar-driven rocker is the closing track from the Goo Goo Dolls' seventh studio album. Lead singer Johnny Rzeznik tries to silence the noise in his head to get to the truth in his heart. "Pretty much all the songs I wrote on this record are my trying to relate more to myself than other people," he told Billboard. "I'm still evolving in my own damn way, you know. I've had a pretty severe case of failing to communicate with myself for a long time. This is the first time I've ever lived alone. Your thoughts tend to get a little louder when you're all alone."
  • According to Rzeznik, the song ties into the album's overarching theme of self-discovery and honest communication. "I think, if there's a theme to these songs, it is about being honest with yourself and with others, and seeking out those who will return the favor," he told New York's Daily Freeman. "Our experiences over the past three years have taught us to appreciate friendship, love and loyalty - those basic human values. When we're writing about characters we've encountered and scenes we've survived, it's that need for connection that comes through and hopefully everyone can relate to that. Otherwise, you're just talking to yourself."
  • Gutterflower is the follow-up to the Goo Goo Dolls' landmark album, Dizzy Up The Girl, a 4-million seller that hit big with singles like "Iris" and "Slide." Gutterflower only managed 700,000 sales, but was well received by critics and fans.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Song Cities

Song CitiesMusic Quiz

Nirvana, Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen are among those who wrote songs with cities that show up in this quiz.

British Invasion

British InvasionFact or Fiction

Go beyond The Beatles to see what you know about the British Invasion.

Grateful Dead Characters

Grateful Dead CharactersMusic Quiz

Many unusual folks appear in Grateful Dead songs. Can you identify them?

Van Dyke Parks

Van Dyke ParksSongwriter Interviews

U2, Carly Simon, Joanna Newsom, Brian Wilson and Fiona Apple have all gone to Van Dyke Parks to make their songs exceptional.

The Evolution of "Ophelia"

The Evolution of "Ophelia"Song Writing

How five songs portray Shakespeare's character Ophelia.