The Goo Goo Dolls frontman reflected on the enduring legacy of his band’s biggest hit while revealing why he draws the line at hearing the romantic classic in one particular setting.
John Rzeznik has revealed there is one place he never wants to hear the Goo Goo Dolls’ biggest hit – the bedroom.
The Goo Goo Dolls frontman, 60, made the candid confession during an interview at the 2026 Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Gala in New York City, saying the thought of listening to the band’s hit Iris during an intimate moment leaves him cringing.
John was asked whether he had ever had sex while Iris played in the background – a question which prompted an immediate and emphatic response.
John told Page Six: “No, never!”
He added: “I can’t – oh, my God, can you imagine that?”
Joking about the scenario, John said: “Hey, baby, listen to this. Yeah, here it comes!”
He then suggested other musicians may not be so reluctant to soundtrack their own romantic moments.
John said he suspected there were musicians in attendance at the Hall of Fame event “who have done that”.
The musician, whose band has enjoyed more than three decades of success, remains best known for the 1998 ballad, which became a global phenomenon after appearing on the soundtrack to the romantic fantasy film City of Angels.
The song continues to attract huge audiences nearly three decades after its release and has surpassed three billion streams on Spotify, cementing its status as the band’s signature hit.
John has often spoken about the origins of Iris, which was written for City of Angels, starring Nicolas Cage and Meg Ryan. The film follows an angel who falls in love with a mortal woman and chooses to give up immortality in the hope of sharing a life with her.
Earlier this year, John reflected on the song’s inspiration during an interview with Genius.
He said: “This guy is an angel. He’s immortal.
“He’s willing to give up that immortality because he’s never felt and he wants to see what it feels like to be human. And he falls in love with this woman, but he has to make this leap.”
John added: “I just thought that was a beautiful thing.”
Discussing the emotional themes behind the lyrics, he said: “I’m not going to say he was obsessed with her… but this is where he’s at.
“She’s taken over his existence, and it hurts, you know.”
He also pointed to a scene in which the character played by Nicolas leaps from a skyscraper to embrace humanity.
John said: “We’ve all done that.
“We’ve all had to take the risk of, you know, asking someone out on a date and risking the pain and rejection of that kind of thing. But he did it.”
The songwriter has described the enduring appeal of Iris as its universal message.
He told Genius: “I think we all want that, you know?
“That’s the whole point.”
Beyond Iris, John and the Goo Goo Dolls remain one of the most successful American rock acts of their generation, with hits including Slide, Name, Black Balloon and Come to Me.
The band continues to tour extensively and attract large audiences around the world.
At the Songwriters Hall of Fame ceremony, John joined Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan on stage for a performance of Shout It Out Loud in tribute to KISS founders Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley.
John Rzeznik gives hilarious reaction to intimate Iris question
