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- This article is about the third single to be released from the Dizzy Up the Girl album by the Goo Goo Dolls. For the 2008 film, see The Black Balloon (film).
"Black Balloon" is the third single to be released from the Dizzy Up the Girl album by the Goo Goo Dolls.
[edit] Track listing
[edit] United States release
- "Black Balloon (Radio Remix)" - 4:09
- "Slide (Live)" - 3:33
[edit] United Kingdom release
- "Black Balloon (Radio Edit)" - 4:01
- "Black Balloon (Album Version)" - 4:09
- "Naked" - 3:44
[edit] Australia release
- "Black Balloon"
- "Lazy Eye"
- "Naked (Remix)"
- "Flat Top"
[edit] Meaning and composition
This song, according to the band's frontman Johnny Rzeznik, is about a woman with a heroin addiction and how her lover is desperately trying to save her. He has also said that is about "seeing someone you love that is so great just screw up so bad." Speculation as to the song's subject has included bassist Robby Takac's ex-wife (who overdosed on heroin).
Like many other songs by the 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.
[edit] Music video
The video for the song opens with a woman blowing smoke into a soap bubble (a "black balloon"). The video then changes focus and shows various scenes from a 50's or 60's era swim club while the band performs the song.
[edit] Chart positions
The track was major hit at rock radio, reaching #13 and #28 on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks and Mainstream Rock Tracks charts, respectively. It also became the fourth pop hit for the band, reaching #16 on the Billboard Hot 100.
