Meaning of “Iris” by The Goo Goo Dolls

In general, “Iris” is a love song relayed from the perspective of someone who is more or less unknown to the person he loves. Thus the foundation of his appeal to this romantic interest (the addressee of the song) is just for her to “know who (he is)”. Meanwhile the singer is portrayed as somewhat of a lonely, despondent figure who is not overly-interested in associating himself with the world since he does not “think that they’d understand” him. Indeed much is not revealed about his character besides the fact that he is apparently a recluse and would sacrifice anything, even “forever”, in order to experience intimacy with the person he is singing to.

More specifically, this song was written within the context of a movie entitled City of Angels. And the singer is portraying the role of the lead character of that film, who is an angel who falls in love with a woman and is willing to exchange his immortality in order to romance her. So with this in mind, the lyrics of the song become much more understandable.

However, many fans do not interpret it within the confines of the plot of City of Angels.  In fact “Iris” has proven to be more-popular than the movie itself. Rather they understand it as basically a very relatable, emotional love song.

Facts about “Iris”  

As aforementioned, this song was originally featured on the soundtrack to City of Angels (1998). It was released as a promotional single by Warner Bros. Records on 7 April 1998. However, later that year the Goo Goo Dolls also put it on their own album, Dizzy Up the Girl.

This track was written by Goo Goo Dolls’ member Johnny Rzeznik. He actually named the song after singer Iris DeMent, whose name he stumbled upon in a magazine.

“Iris” was produced by the entirety of the Goo Goo Dolls in conjunction with record prorducer Rob Cavallo.

At “The Concert for New York City”, which was held on 20 October 2001 in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks which took place the previous month, the Goo Goo Dolls performed “Iris”.

Billboard and chart success of “Iris”

At the time of its release, “Iris” could not be considered for the Billboard Hot 100 since it was only issued as a single to radio stations. Yet it still managed to top Billboard’s Adult Top 40 (where it set a record of 17 weeks at number 1). Shortly thereafter, when Billboard modified its rule to allow airplay-only songs onto the Hot 100, “Iris” managed to chart there also, peaking at number 9.

Additionally, Billboard ranked “Iris” number 19 on its list of “Greatest of All Time Adult Pop Songs” and number 1 amongst all pop songs within the first two decades (1992-2012) of the Mainstream Top 40.

 Moreover when it first came out, “Iris” peaked at number 26 on the UK Singles chart. It later reentered the UK Singles chart at number 3 in 2011 (due to being featured on reality-talent show The X Factor). As if that wasn’t enough, in 2013, it once again reached number 12 on the aforementioned chart. The third reentry was primarily because it was featured in Britain’s Got Talent.

It also charted in a few other countries, most-notably Australia, Canada and Italy, where it reached number one.

Did “Iris” win a Grammy Award?

This song was nominated in three categories at the 1999 Grammy Awards. However, it didn’t win in any of the categories. The categories are as follows:

• Record of the Year (lost to Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On)
• Song of the Year (lost again to “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion)
• Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals (lost to The Brian Setzer Orchestra’s “Jump, Jive an’ Wail”)

More about “City of Angels” – the Film in which “Iris” appears

The 1998 romantic fantasy film, City of Angels starred Nicolas Cage as Seth, Meg Ryan as Maggie and was directed by Brad Silberling. It is a remake of the 1987 film, Wings of Desire.

In this film, Seth is an angel assigned to watch over and protect humans in Los Angeles, specifically to guide those who are close to death into the after-life. In fulfilling his assignment by escorting a man undergoing a heart surgery, he becomes impressed by the efforts of Maggie Rice, a surgeon, to save this man. He soon gets preoccupied with this woman and decides to let her see him. Their friendship gradually turns into a mutual attraction and Seth wishes to be human so he can be with Maggie.

After seeking guidance from a man named Nathaniel, a fallen angel, Seth decides to ‘fall’ by symbolically jumping from a skyscraper, losing his angelic tendencies and beginning to experience all human feelings. He eventually finds Maggie and they consummate their love. Tragedy hits the next morning however as Maggie gets fatally injured in an accident and dies shortly after.

Left in grief, Seth wonders if he was receiving his punishment for deciding to fall from heaven. His angel friend Cassiel, however assures him that it is not so. Seth later expresses appreciation for his new life and comes to terms with his mortality.