Black Balloon by Goo Goo Dolls Cover - Prayer

This song has a special meaning to me. I don't know if my interpretation is correct, but that's the great thing about great songs. They can mean different things within the same theme to different people because of a unique personal experience. It's what I felt when I listened to it intently, trying to gauge it's meaning:

The song's lyrics are clearly about drug addiction, in particular, the heroin addiction of Robby's girlfriend/wife, but I believe the song has a more general import. It is about the mutual interconnectedness between two people, how each affects the other, even in some of the most darkest circumstances, changing both for the better. Only he could help her - "a thousand other boys could never reach you. How could I have been one?" The black balloon and the spoon are heroin references. He led her out of her addiction to it. At the same time, she was an answer to his prayer, as he 'almost fell into the (same) hole' in her life (heroin addiction), as her experience showed to him the negative impact it had on her life. The womb is a source of comfort, as well as source of nourishment - the heroin serves as that. But, it's all a lie. People do drugs to escape from a reality that is harsh, where lies are told and love doesn't seem to exist - "you know the lies they always told you, and the love you never knew." But, life is more than the negativity that seems to surround people's lives - "what's the things they never showed you?" The longer she exists in this state, her true importance wanes, and it affects the world around her, and "angels fall" without her there. The ending is a plea to let him lead her home - out of the drug addiction - and become the angel "that you became to me", which circles back to almost falling into that hole in her life. It's a hopeful song, that portrays that one can become an angel for others even in the most darkest of circumstances. That's my two cents.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Black
• Balloon
• Me
• Singing
• Cover
• Goo
• Dolls
• Prayer

[jeffgosto35]

Man - I love your interpretation of this song. I have always felt a connection to it but never really pinned down why. I always interpreted the black balloon as death (and alas, heroin very well could lead to that). Anyway, being a recovered addict myself I am very VERY moved by your interpretation and can finally be at peace as to why I have always been so drawn to this song.  Kudos my friend!

[ScarredRomeo]

Thanks. I think this song's basic message is there's always room for optimism.

[2JacksonMay99]

I can't help but cry when I heard this song. I love it so much.

I agree with your interpretation.

[OhMyLund]

nice one man. very well done