Focused at times playing "neo-ska" music, the band has adopted retro styles spanning several decades of popular music, as well as performing covers of popular songs such as The Monkees' "I'm a Believer" and War's "Why Can't We Be Friends" as well as cult favorites such as ? and the Mysterians' "Can't Get Enough of You Baby" (though their version owes more to The Colourfield's interpretation; in fact, the band at first believed it was a Colourfield original). Smash Mouth's first album Fush Yu Mang came out in June 1997. This album could be said to be "neo ska". Its top position in the charts was #19 (on Billboard). The promo for this album said that "While the twelve songs on Fush Yu Mang sound like they belong side by side, each has it's own feeling like the very '60's "Walkin' On The Sun," the surf 'n' turf of "Nervous In the Alley," the Buzzcocks like "Pet Names," the Mafia rock of "Padrino," and the fret rock of "Let's Rock"." Smash Mouth's second album Astro Lounge was released two years later, in June 1999. It is the band's most critically and commercially successful album to date. It reached #6 on the Billboard charts and it featured the massive hit All Star.
Smash Mouth released their third album Smash Mouth (Self-Titled) in November 2001. It has been said that this is the band's most experimental album to date. It reached #48 on Billboard charts. Smash Mouth's fourth album Get the Picture?, released in August 2003, wasn't as well-received by fans or the critics as previous albums (it only reached #100 on the Billboard charts). Smash Mouth released a Christmas cover album in November 2005 (The Gift of Rock). Their newest album is called Summer Girl, and, after being delayed for over a year, was released on September 19th, 2006. Smash Mouth's music was used in the film "Shrek" and they starred on-screen as themselves in the turbulent finale of the all-star-comedy "Rat Race", while performing "All Star" on stage during the showdown.
In May 2011 lead singer Steve Harwell agreed to eat two dozen eggs in one sitting for charity. That June, Harwell apparently backed out of the challenge -- with over ten thousand dollars for overseas children's hunger charities at stake -- potentially because he is afraid to eat the eggs. Fans continue to demand Harwell eat the eggs.
Two albums were released in 2012, The Gift Of Rock and Magic. A best-of compilation, Playlist: The Very Best of Smashmouth was released in 2016. A comeback single, Unity, was released in 2018.
In 2021, the band collaborated with Timmy Trumpet for the song "Camelot". This would be the band's last song with original lead vocalist Steve Harwell before his retirement later that year and his death 2 years later.
Steve Harwell retired in 2021 due to health issues and was replaced by Divided By Zero singer Zach Goode.
On September 4, 2023, original lead vocalist Steve Harwell died at age 56 at his home of liver failure.
All Star
Smash Mouth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I ain't the sharpest tool in the shed
She was looking kind of dumb with her finger and her thumb
In the shape of an "L" on her forehead
Well the years start coming and they don't stop coming
Fed to the rules and I hit the ground running
Didn't make sense not to live for fun
Your brain gets smart but your head gets dumb
So much to do, so much to see
So what's wrong with taking the back streets?
You'll never know if you don't go
You'll never shine if you don't glow
Hey now, you're an all-star, get your game on, go play
Hey now, you're a rock star, get the show on, get paid
And all that glitters is gold
Only shooting stars break the mold
It's a cool place and they say it gets colder
You're bundled up now, wait 'til you get older
But the meteor men beg to differ
Judging by the hole in the satellite picture
The ice we skate is getting pretty thin
The water's getting warm so you might as well swim
My world's on fire, how about yours?
That's the way I like it and I'll never get bored
Hey now, you're an all-star, get your game on, go play
Hey now, you're a rock star, get the show on, get paid
All that glitters is gold
Only shooting stars break the mold
(Go for the moon)
(Go for the moon)
(Go for the moon)
(Go, go, go for the moon)
Hey now, you're an all-star, get your game on, go play
Hey now, you're a rock star, get the show, on get paid
And all that glitters is gold
Only shooting stars
Somebody once asked could I spare some change for gas?
I need to get myself away from this place
I said, "Yup" what a concept
I could use a little fuel myself
And we could all use a little change
Well, the years start coming and they don't stop coming
Fed to the rules and I hit the ground running
Didn't make sense not to live for fun
Your brain gets smart but your head gets dumb
So much to do, so much to see
So what's wrong with taking the back streets?
You'll never know if you don't go (go!)
You'll never shine if you don't glow
Hey now, you're an all-star, get your game on, go play
Hey now, you're a rock star, get the show on, get paid
And all that glitters is gold
Only shooting stars break the mold
And all that glitters is gold
Only shooting stars break the mold
The main theme of the song is about living life to the fullest and taking risks. The opening lines, "somebody once told me the world is gonna roll me, I ain't the sharpest tool in the shed," suggest that the singer is not the most intelligent person in the world. Despite this, the song encourages the listener to embrace life regardless of their shortcomings since there is so much to experience.
The chorus lyrics, "Hey now, you're an all-star, get your game on, go play. Hey now, you're a rock star, get the show on, get paid," represents a metaphorical message to see yourself as a star, to take the initiative and follow your dreams. The song also highlights that shining like a star takes an effort and some risk-taking as it suggests, "you'll never shine if you don't glow," implying that the only way to succeed and stand out in the world is to put oneself out there and try.
Moreover, the lyrics also talk about how life has different phases and experiences, both good and bad, and how we should enjoy all of it, "so much to do, so much to see, so what's wrong with taking the backstreets? You'll never know if you don't go." The song also mentions a need for change, as represented by the line, "we could all use a little change," concluding that in life, only a few shooting stars break the mold and make a significant impact.
Line by Line Meaning
Somebody once told me the world is gonna roll me
Someone warned me that the world will overpower me.
I ain't the sharpest tool in the shed
I am not particularly bright or insightful.
She was looking kind of dumb with her finger and her thumb, In the shape of an "L" on her forehead
She appeared foolish, making an "L" shape with her finger and thumb on her forehead.
Well the years start coming and they don't stop coming
Time passes quickly, and life goes on without pause.
Fed to the rules and I hit the ground running
Compelled to obey the regulations, I took action immediately.
Didn't make sense not to live for fun
It seemed unreasonable not to enjoy life while it lasts.
Your brain gets smart but your head gets dumb
You may become intelligent, but you may also become foolish.
So much to do, so much to see
There are endless experiences and opportunities in life.
So what's wrong with taking the back streets?
Is there anything wrong with alternatively pursuing unconventional paths?
You'll never know if you don't go
You will never know the outcome unless you try.
You'll never shine if you don't glow
You won't stand out or succeed without putting in effort.
Hey now, you're an all-star, get your game on, go play
Attention! You are a fantastic performer, so let's get started.
Hey now, you're a rock star, get the show on, get paid
Great! You are a renowned performer so put on a show and get rewarded.
And all that glitters is gold
Elegant and valuable things appear to be truly so.
Only shooting stars break the mold
Just the exceptional and unique individuals stand out from the crowd.
It's a cool place and they say it gets colder
It's an incredible space and it appears to get more chilly as seasons pass.
You're bundled up now, wait 'til you get older
You cover up more now, but you'll need to layer up more when you grow older.
But the meteor men beg to differ, Judging by the hole in the satellite picture
The meteor experts disagree, as seen by the hole in the observatory wavelength.
The ice we skate is getting pretty thin, The water's getting warm so you might as well swim
The ice we skate on is really thinning out, and the water temperatures are increasing, so might as well swim instead of skating.
My world's on fire, how about yours?
My ambitions are burning bright, what about you?
That's the way I like it and I'll never get bored
I enjoy life this way and I will never get uninterested or disenchanted.
Somebody once asked could I spare some change for gas?
Someone begged me for transportation money once.
I need to get myself away from this place
I should escape this location to feel better.
I said, "Yup" what a concept
I agreed to lend money, which seemed like a novel idea.
I could use a little fuel myself
I, myself, require some energy to move on.
And we could all use a little change
We all need to encounter some diversity in our lives.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Gregory Dean Camp
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind