Goo Goo Dolls and Steve Aoki unveil festival-ready rework of Diamond-certified hit ‘Iris’: Listen

More than two decades after its original release, Goo Goo Dolls’ iconic anthem ‘Iris’ has received a brand new electronic reimagining. Teaming up with global dance music star Steve Aoki, the band has unveiled a high-energy reinterpretation of the Diamond-certified hit, bringing the timeless track into a modern festival environment.

Originally released in 1998, ‘Iris’ quickly became one of the most recognizable songs of its era. Today, however, the collaboration with Steve Aoki pushes the track into a completely different sonic dimension. While the emotional core of the original remains intact, Aoki’s signature production introduces powerful builds, energetic drops and a large-scale electronic feel designed for modern dancefloors.

Notably, the collaboration traces its origins back to Stagecoach 2025, where Aoki surprised fans by inviting John Rzeznik, frontman of Goo Goo Dolls, onstage for a live performance of the track. The moment resonated strongly with the crowd and ultimately inspired Aoki to bring the concept into the studio.

‘Iris’ continues to dominate streaming nearly 30 years later

Reflecting on the experience, Rzeznik said the performance created a unique energy between the two worlds of rock and electronic music. “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.”

Meanwhile, Steve Aoki described the performance as a rare moment where nostalgia and modern festival energy collided. According to the producer, that feeling ultimately motivated him to craft a version capable of translating the emotional power of the original track into a full-scale electronic setting.

The timing of the release also arrives as ‘Iris’ continues to experience a massive resurgence. The song has now surpassed 5.5 billion streams worldwide, including more than 1 billion streams in 2025 alone. Over the years, the track has also been covered by artists such as Taylor Swift, Machine Gun Kelly, Phoebe Bridgers, and Maggie Rogers, reinforcing its status as one of the most enduring songs of its generation.

Beyond the collaboration, Goo Goo Dolls remain active on multiple fronts. The band will release ‘Live From NPR’s Tiny Desk’ on limited-edition vinyl later this month, while also preparing for a major U.S. tour alongside Neon Trees this summer and a Las Vegas residency at The Venetian Theatre.

Stream the track on Spotify below or via your preferred platform here.