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Goo Goo Dolls, 'Notbroken' -- Video Premiere

Posted on Jan 5th 2011 10:30AM by Danny James
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Goo Goo DollsWBR

The Goo Goo Dolls new video for 'Notbroken' is the closest thing to an anti-war anthem that frontman Johnny Rzeznik and company will probably ever write. While the band has never shied away from social issues, they tend to focus their songs on more personal and intimate stories, and 'Notbroken' is a perfect example of that songwriting. On their website, Rzeznik described the Goo Goo Dolls inspiration behind the song.

"I got a letter from a woman whose husband was in Iraq. He was injured – paralyzed – and he doesn't want to come home. He wants to stay in the hospital. He's ashamed of himself. He feels like he's less. And she just wants to let him know that he's still everything that she ever wanted. I don't know, it just kind of came out. It's kind of like I was writing a love letter to him on her behalf."

'Notbroken' is now the Goo Goo Dolls most downloaded song on iTunes, surpassing their No. 1 hit 'Iris,' and the video for the lead single off their newest album, 'Something for the Rest of Us,' tells this difficult story in an interesting manner. Shot to look similar to the old silhouette iPod commercials, we see both the wife and her husband's life play out on screen, with an ending that should leave you feeling a bit closer to both.

Watch the Goo Goo Dolls' 'Notbroken' video after the jump.



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21 Comments

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Bethany

I think this video is great. This video is simply their interpretation of this woman's story. They probably didn't want to portray the song so 'true to lyrics' because the images might have been too extreme for some people to handle. I think they wanted to show what the woman was talking about and feeling, but not so much that people would get overemotional about it. I hope this makes sense. :)

January 15 2011 at 12:16 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Sue

"the first thing I thought after watching it was that I wished it had been more like the song's concept. I thought him coming home with a trivial leg wound undermined the whole purpose of the song. Why would he worry about facing his wife with a leg wound that he could clearly deal with?" (Chrissy)

Exactly the point I was trying to make.

And to the others, i know that videos don't generally follow the lyrics to the song, but most songs are not based on two specific people in a very specific "true" situation like Notbroken is.

January 11 2011 at 6:38 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Chrissy

I don't know why everyone is worked up about wishing that the video closer resembled the real story... aside from appreciating the aesthetics of the video, the first thing I thought after watching it was that I wished it had been more like the song's concept. I thought him coming home with a trivial leg wound undermined the whole purpose of the song. Why would he worry about facing his wife with a leg wound that he could clearly deal with? I don't care what war or era it deals with, I don't think that's really a point.... it doesn't change the meaning behind it. I don't see anything wrong with people disagreeing. The world would be boring if we all liked, did, said, wore, ate, watched, etc all the same things. I don't get all the hostility :( Let love in and just be a fan of the band and song. I love the look and video concept, just wanted the rawness that a truly life altering wound would have brought.

January 10 2011 at 9:51 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Anon

With all due respect, most videos don't match up with the lyrics, opting to go with loose concepts that have nothing to do with the song; it's really rare when something does completely or even for the most part (outside of bypassing attempting such a thing and going with a performance video of course).

If you have issues with the song or the songwriter, take them elsewhere. You've said your peace about the video so quit picking fights with the people here.

January 10 2011 at 2:34 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Patricia Evert

The whole point of this song and video is to spotlight the tragedy that is occurring daily in our world. Men and women are being asked to sacrifice their lives for the rest of us in wars that are unjust and ill-conceived. Sometimes, they return to us whole and healthy--and sometimes we are left to pick up the pieces of broken and uncertain lives. This video is a brilliant interpretation of a beautiful and touching song. The sentiment is expressed in a strong, timeless manner. Being too literal or specific would diminish the message of both song and video. This is definitely one of the Goo's best efforts ever.

January 10 2011 at 2:02 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Sue

Indygoofan says I have an obvious mental disability but she can't even figure out how to post her comment on this blog, much to her dismay...

Anytime you use soldiers in your song or video, you risk controversy, especially if the soldier is supposed to be real.

January 10 2011 at 1:51 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ankaa

Sue, if you are that woman and can prove you wrote a note which INSPIRED a song then let them know.
Otherwise it's between her and them and you should let the world keep spinning.

January 09 2011 at 10:49 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Sue

Ankaa...Since John says Notbroken is about a specific woman and her injured soldier husband, shouldn't she then get a cut of the profits from the song? I'm sure she could use them.

January 09 2011 at 10:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ankaa

An analogy.
You seem obssessed like a lawyer chasing an ambulance. =0)

January 09 2011 at 10:27 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Sue

Lol...an artistic interpretation of the truth. So, you mean basically made up? I'd be cool with it if they just admitted it wasn't a true story.

January 09 2011 at 10:21 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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