Sympathy (Goo Goo Dolls song)

"Sympathy" is a song by the American alternative rock band the Goo Goo Dolls. It was released as a promotional single in 2003 from their seventh studio album, Gutterflower. The song was written by lead vocalist and guitarist Johnny Rzeznik and produced by Rob Cavallo along with the Goo Goo Dolls.

Background and composition

Johnny Rzeznik wrote "Sympathy" during a period of personal struggle with alcoholism. In a 2020 interview, Rzeznik described the song as a precursor to the 2016 single "So Alive" from the album Boxes. Musically, "Sympathy" is an acoustic rock track with a length of 2 minutes and 58 seconds.

Release and usage in media

The song appeared on the soundtrack to the 2004 film A Cinderella Story starring Hilary Duff and Chad Michael Murray. For the film's soundtrack, the song was shortened to approximately 2 minutes and 48 seconds, with some lyrical content edited to suit the film's target audience. "Sympathy" was also featured in episodes of the television shows Charmed and Third Watch.

Track listings

Promotional CD single

1. "Sympathy" — 2:58

Promotional 7" vinyl (Warner Bros. 16663)

1. "Sympathy"
2. "Think About Me"

Music video

The music video for "Sympathy" was shot in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2002 and produced by Tony Bongiovi. The video primarily takes place in the back of a taxi cab and was described by the band as a "guerrilla video." It was loosely based on the television program Taxicab Confessions. In the video, Rzeznik is depicted as being invisible to the other passengers who enter and exit the taxi.

Charts

Certifications

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Personnel

• Johnny Rzeznik – vocals, guitar, songwriter
• Rob Cavallo – producer
• Goo Goo Dolls – producers

The song was released under the Warner Bros. label.