The Goo Goo Dolls continue their reign at No. 1 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart this week with their sweeping ballad “Iris,” which marks its 14th week on the chart. The track, propelled by its feature on the City of Angels soundtrack, has struck a lasting chord with audiences and radio programmers alike, keeping Semisonic’s “Closing Time” stuck in the runner-up spot for a second consecutive week.
Fuel’s “Shimmer” holds steady at No. 3, continuing its impressive 18-week run, while Harvey Danger’s breakout hit “Flagpole Sitta” remains locked in at No. 4. The Smashing Pumpkins round out the top five with “Ava Adore,” as anticipation builds for their upcoming album Adore.
Barenaked Ladies made one of the biggest moves in the top ten this week, climbing two spots to No. 7 with their quirky, rapid-fire single “One Week,” which has seen a quick ascent in just four weeks on the chart. Meanwhile, the Beastie Boys continue their comeback surge as “Intergalactic” rockets from No. 14 to No. 10, marking their first top ten modern rock hit in several years.
Further down the chart, Grant Lee Buffalo’s “Truly, Truly” makes a notable jump from No. 23 to No. 18, showing strong momentum in just its fifth week. Creed is also on the rise with “What’s This Life For” moving up seven positions to No. 28, signaling growing buzz around the Florida rockers.
New entries this week include the Dave Matthews Band’s breezy summer anthem “Stay (Wasting Time),” debuting at No. 35, giving the group two songs on the chart alongside the falling “Don’t Drink the Water,” which slips to No. 22. Rage Against the Machine’s politically charged “No Shelter,” featured on the Godzilla soundtrack, climbs to No. 34 in its third week.
Natalie Imbruglia remains a chart presence with two songs—“Torn” at No. 33 and “Wishing I Was There” at No. 38—while Foo Fighters also double-dip with “Walking After You” inching up to No. 17 and their long-running hit “My Hero” dropping to No. 36 after a 26-week stay.
With strong performances from both newcomers and established acts, the Modern Rock landscape in July 1998 remains a dynamic blend of heartfelt ballads, post-grunge power, and alt-rock experimentation. All eyes will be on whether the Goo Goo Dolls can hold onto the top spot for another week, or if one of the summer’s fast climbers will unseat them.