One of the IDs Hardwell has been saving for the final moments of his sets is finally out. Hardwell and Sound Rush have officially released their take on Goo Goo Dolls' "Iris", pushing the 1998 rock classic into full hardstyle territory.
From festival closer to official release
Hardwell played the collaboration during his return to EDC Las Vegas in May, closing his kineticFIELD set with it after eight years away from the festival. Speaking a few weeks later, he confirmed the track was a collaboration with Sound Rush and specifically pointed to it as his EDC closing record.
"Iris" stayed in rotation through the summer. In July, Hardwell once again gave it a major closing slot, using it as the final track of his Tomorrowland Weekend 2 Mainstage set.
Another dance music life for "Iris"
Goo Goo Dolls originally released "Iris" in 1998, and it went on to become one of the band's defining songs. At the 1999 Grammys, the track was nominated for Record of the Year and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals, while John Rzeznik was nominated for Song of the Year as its songwriter.
Hardwell and Sound Rush are not the only dance artists to revisit it in 2026 either. Goo Goo Dolls themselves teamed up with Steve Aoki in March for a separate electronic reimagining of the song.
Hardwell and Sound Rush's version had already spent months becoming familiar to festival crowds before anyone could stream it at home. Now, after closing sets at both EDC Vegas and Tomorrowland, "Iris" is finally out now.
Fresh New Tunes
We cover new music, live culture and the people shaping electronic music.
