Iris was written by Goo Goo Dolls frontman Johnny Rzeznik for the 1998 film City of Angels, starring Nicolas Cage and Meg Ryan, and released as part of the film's soundtrack. The song became one of the band's biggest hits, reaching a wide audience through radio and the film itself, and it has remained a staple of nineties rock ever since. Its opening lines about seeing the world through another person's eyes helped make it a lasting choice for emotional scenes, and short clips now circulate widely in edits, tributes, and nostalgic videos online.
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An 18-second excerpt of 'Iris' by the Goo Goo Dolls, from the 1998 film City of Angels. A soft, emotional rock moment for nostalgic edits and tributes.
This short clip captures the most recognisable opening of Iris, with Johnny Rzeznik's gentle, aching vocal over soft acoustic guitar and swelling strings. It starts quietly and builds into a warm, yearning chorus that feels both intimate and cinematic. The melody is instantly familiar, even to listeners who do not know the band's name, and it carries a bittersweet, hopeful mood. In a video it slows the pace, adds emotional weight, and makes a simple moment feel like a scene from a film, which is why creators use it for romance, loss, and nostalgia.