“That song casts such a huge shadow over everything that we’ve done. It’s difficult, but it’s not like I have to beat it": How Johnny Rzeznik overcame writer's block to pen the Goo Goo Dolls' Iris, then saw it become the soundtrack to '90s nostalgia

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 21: Taylor Swift and Johnny Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls perform during the "Speak Now World Tour" at Madison Square Garden on November 21, 2011 in New York City. Taylor Swift wrapped up the North American leg of her SPEAK NOW WORLD TOUR with two sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden this week. In 2011, the tour played to capacity crowds in stadiums and arenas over 98 shows in 17 countries spanning three continents, and will continue in 2012 with shows Australia and New Zealand. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images).

After five albums with the band he founded, the Goo Goo Dolls’ John Rzeznik was facing dark times in 1996. It’s easy to think he should have been riding high on his band’s hard-earned success: 1995’s A Boy Named Goo had been a two-million selling breakthrough hit. But all the band had received for their efforts was trouble.

Their label, Metal Blade, handed them a bill for $115,000 in recoupable expenses incurred on their behalf, which they were able to do due to a contract the band had willingly signed in the late '80s. The Goo Goo Dolls were successful but broke.