Goo Goo Dolls Frontman Embraces '90s Nostalgia Trend Featuring 'Iris'

John Rzeznik says the viral 'What Were You Like in the '90s?' videos are a 'blast' for the band.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 11:19am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The internet has been consumed by a nostalgic trend where people share photos and videos of themselves from the 1990s, set to the Goo Goo Dolls' hit song 'Iris.' Frontman John Rzeznik says the band is thrilled to see the continued popularity of the nearly 30-year-old track, and that it's been great to connect with younger audiences discovering their music.

Why it matters

The '90s nostalgia trend reflects a broader yearning among younger generations for a pre-digital era, according to experts. The Goo Goo Dolls' involvement shows how enduring and cross-generational the appeal of '90s pop culture remains.

The details

The trend involves people filming themselves in the present day and then showing a montage of '90s photos and videos set to 'Iris.' Celebrities like John Stamos, Drew Barrymore, and Kristin Davis have all participated, sharing memories from the decade. Experts say Gen Z and Gen Alpha, who grew up in the digital age, are driving the nostalgia for a more analog time.

  • The 'Iris' song was released in 1998.
  • The song had a resurgence in 2025 and was dubbed 'the song of the summer' by the Wall Street Journal.
  • Footage of Goo Goo Dolls frontman John Rzeznik singing 'Iris' at a rainy concert in Buffalo also went viral recently.

The players

John Rzeznik

The frontman and guitarist of the Goo Goo Dolls, whose hit song 'Iris' is at the center of the '90s nostalgia trend.

Goo Goo Dolls

The American rock band whose 1998 song 'Iris' has experienced a resurgence in popularity as part of the '90s nostalgia trend.

Gen Z and Gen Alpha

The younger generations who experts say are driving the current '90s nostalgia trend, yearning for a more analog and pre-digital era.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We're so thrilled at the continued support of 'Iris' nearly 30 years after its release. The '90s trend is a blast for us and it's so fun to see all the old school photos from some of our favorite people.”

— John Rzeznik, Frontman, Goo Goo Dolls

“It's also really cool to connect with a younger audience who are discovering not only 'Iris' but a lot of our songs. It's really been a great time and I'm super grateful.”

— John Rzeznik, Frontman, Goo Goo Dolls

What’s next

The Goo Goo Dolls are expected to continue embracing the '90s nostalgia trend, as the band's music continues to resonate with both longtime fans and younger generations discovering their catalog.

The takeaway

The viral '90s nostalgia trend, centered around the enduring popularity of the Goo Goo Dolls' 'Iris,' reflects a broader cultural longing among younger generations for the pre-digital era. The band's enthusiastic embrace of the trend shows how '90s pop culture remains a touchstone for cross-generational connection and inspiration.