Goo Goo Dolls and Steve Aoki Reimagine 'Iris'
(Shore Fire Media) 2x-GRAMMY-nominated artist, producer, and global electronic music powerhouse Steve Aoki joins forces with legendary, 4x-GRAMMY-nominated band Goo Goo Dolls to reimagine their Diamond-certified hit single "Iris." The reworked version transforms the beloved anthem into a festival-ready experience, pairing the song's raw intensity with Aoki's signature high-energy production. With this collaboration, Aoki and Goo Goo Dolls bridge genres, reaffirming the timeless power of "Iris" while introducing the song to dancefloors and audiences worldwide.
Originally released in 1998, "Iris" has become one of the most enduring songs of its era, remaining a global cultural touchstone nearly 30 years later. The track has amassed over 5.5 billion streams worldwide and continues to reach audiences, surpassing one billion streams in 2025 alone. "Iris" recently climbed to new peaks on Spotify's Global Daily Chart and was selected as the final song ever played at Buffalo's Highmark Stadium following the venue's historic 53-year run as the Buffalo Bills home, further cementing its lasting cultural impact.
Aoki and Goo Goo Dolls' updated version heightens the song's intensity with playful synths, driving rhythms, and cinematic builds, amplifying its energy without losing the immediacy and iconic chorus that made "Iris" a classic. The collaboration was born out of a surprise onstage appearance at Stagecoach in 2025, when Aoki invited Goo Goo Dolls frontman John Rzeznik to join him during his set for a live rendition of the song. The performance quickly became one of the weekend's most talked-about highlights, as thousands of fans witnessed the fusion of alternative rock legacy and modern dance music in real time. Inspired by the overwhelming response, Aoki brought the track into the studio, crafting a modern interpretation that expands the song's reach while remaining true to its original spirit.
Steve Aoki shares, "Performing 'Iris' live with Goo Goo Dolls at Stagecoach was one of those rare, unforgettable moments. You could feel the connection everyone had to the song, but also this incredible rush as we brought it into a completely different environment. That feeling stayed with me, and I knew we had to take it into the studio and build a version designed for festival stages, while preserving the heart of the original."
John Rzeznik adds, "Joining Steve onstage during his Stagecoach set was an unforgettable moment. The energy from the crowd was remarkable and the mixture of our two genres was amazing to witness live. We're thrilled to release this new version of 'Iris' with Steve and share that magic moment with our fans around the world."
The release arrives as Aoki celebrates the 30th anniversary of his influential independent label Dim Mak. Founded in 1996 from his college dorm room at UC Santa Barbara and named after his childhood hero Bruce Lee, Dim Mak helped launch groundbreaking artists including The Kills, Bloc Party, and The Gossip, and has since grown into one of electronic music's most respected global imprints. Aoki is currently on his Dim Mak 30th Anniversary Tour, a North American run marking three decades of boundary-pushing music and culture, with stops at major venues and festivals including Central Park SummerStage, Hollywood Palladium, Ultra Music Festival, and more.
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