Sympathy

I was watching the Goo Goo Dolls performing live in Buffalo on DVD when something that Johnny Rzeznik said before he started singing this song struck me.

"... it is something we all need once in a while but should never ask for."

Very well put I would say, and I certainly agree with him. Everybody needs a little sympathy once in a while but never in any circumstances should one demand or request to be sympathized with.

I started listening to the Dolls since I was in highschool during the late nineties when they were making a big hit with Name. Name became the signature sound/style for their songs even till today: an acoustic guitar with unusual/non-standard tunings which is rhythmically strummed, alternating between open or partially open chords with some varying basslines. Having non-standard tunings allows chords to be voiced in the open or unfretted position with minimal note fretting thus giving the Dolls the characteristic full sounding or sometimes shimmering chord voicings (due to the open strings) which I personally love so much. And of course, Johnny Rzeznik's husky voice, never fails to infuse the songs with emotions and feelings. Try listening to Iris or Black Balloon and you'll get my point.

I can't seem to find the live version of this song on YouTube but I'm putting the video here instead, it's a really nice acoustic song, perfect for sing-along sessions. And of course here are the lyrics.

Sympathy - Goo Goo Dolls

Stranger than your sympathy
And this is my apology
I killed myself from the inside out
And all my fears have pushed you out

And I wished for things that I don’t need
(all I wanted)
And what I chased won’t set me free
(all I wanted)
And I get scared but I’m not crawlin’ on my knees

Oh, yeah
Everything’s all wrong, yeah
Everything’s all wrong, yeah
Where the hell did I think I was?

And stranger than your sympathy
Take these things, so I don’t feel
I’m killing myself from the inside out
And now my head’s been filled with doubt

We’re taught to lead the life you choose
(all I wanted)
You know your love’s run out on you
(all I wanted)
And you can’t see when all your dreams aren’t coming true

Oh, yeah
It’s easy to forget, yeah
When you choke on the regrets, yeah
Who the hell did I think I was?

And stranger than your sympathy
And all these thoughts you stole from me
And I’m not sure where I belong
And no where’s home and no more wrong

And I was in love with things I tried to make you believe I was
And I wouldn’t be the one to kneel before the dreams I wanted
And all the dark and all the lies were all the empty things disguised as me

Mmm, yeah
Stranger than your sympathy
Stranger than your sympathy
Mmm hmmm mmm

This song is available on their 2002 studio album Gutterflower.


Also check out their live performance DVD - the Goo Goo Dolls : Live in Buffalo. This is one truly unique performance because it began to rain cats and dogs in the middle of the set. Instead of stopping, the band just kept on playing thru the rain, much to the delight of the fans while still sounding really good.