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.
Beer Goggles
Smash Mouth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just give me something I can hold on to
Come on baby and speed your lust to me
Here's my number on a cocktail napkin
Think about it like a loaded weapon
Cock the hammer and point that thing at me
Why don't you call
Why don't you call
Why don't you call
Kill me for the thrill of it all
I want someone anyone
Tall ones short ones skinny ones
I want someone anyone
You spend your nights at home crying
I spend mine death defying
I call it testing morality
So pull the goggles down over your eyes
And say good night to the rest of the barflies
I'm forever yours temporarily
Why don't you call
Why don't you call
Why don't you call
Kill me for the thrill of it all
I want someone anyone
Drunk ones spun ones anyone
I want someone anyone
Fat ones whacked ones give me some
I want someone anyone
Spend some rent one lend me one
Fun ones dumb ones gypsy chicks on rocks
Done ones even chicks with chicken pox
I want someone anyone
I want someone anyone
I want someone anyone
I want someone anyone
Drunk ones spun ones give me some
I want someone anyone
Fat ones whacked ones anyone
I want someone anyone
The lyrics to Smash Mouth's "Beer Goggles" depict the singer's desire for someone, anyone, despite not truly loving them. The verses describe a desire for affirmation and physical touch, even if it is fleeting and temporary. The chorus repeatedly urges the object of affection to call and "kill me for the thrill of it all," emphasizing a willingness to take risks and live on the edge.
The lines "Think about it like a loaded weapon/Cock the hammer and point that thing at me" suggest that the singer sees their desire as dangerous and potentially destructive, yet they crave it nonetheless. The lyric "So pull the goggles down over your eyes/And say good night to the rest of the barflies" evokes a sense of reckless abandon, as if the singer and their partner are lost in a world of their own making.
Overall, "Beer Goggles" is a somewhat nihilistic song about seeking pleasure and excitement, even if it comes at the cost of emotional detachment and risk-taking.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't love you but I want to
I have no romantic affection towards you, but I desire you physically.
Just give me something I can hold on to
I desire a physical connection with someone, something tangible to hold on to.
Come on baby and speed your lust to me
I implore you to act upon your desires and engage in a physical encounter with me.
Here's my number on a cocktail napkin
I offer you my contact information as an invitation to pursue a physical encounter at a later time.
Think about it like a loaded weapon
A physical encounter with me could be dangerous or potentially harmful.
Cock the hammer and point that thing at me
Take control of your desire and direct it towards me with intensity.
Why don't you call
I am eager for you to contact me and pursue a physical encounter.
Kill me for the thrill of it all
I am willing to take risks and potentially dangerous actions in pursuit of satisfying my desires.
I want someone anyone
I am open to physical encounters with anyone who is willing.
You spend your nights at home crying
You are emotionally struggling while I am pursuing physical satisfaction without concern for emotional attachment.
I spend mine death defying
I am willing to take physical and emotional risks in pursuit of satisfying my desires.
I call it testing morality
I rationalize my actions as a test of my personal boundaries and ethics, rather than acknowledging potential harm to myself or others.
So pull the goggles down over your eyes
Become intoxicated, disregarding potential consequences and inhibitions.
And say good night to the rest of the barflies
Disregard the presence of others and focus solely on our potential physical encounter.
I'm forever yours temporarily
I present myself as committing to a physical encounter, but only for a short period of time.
Drunk ones spun ones anyone
I do not discern who I engage in a physical encounter with, including those who are intoxicated or otherwise impaired.
Fat ones whacked ones give me some
I am open to physical encounters with anyone, regardless of their physical appearance or mental state.
Spend some rent one lend me one
I am willing to seek out physical encounters with anyone, even if it means taking financial risks or borrowing from others.
Fun ones dumb ones gypsy chicks on rocks
I am open to physical encounters with anyone, regardless of their personality, intelligence, or cultural background.
Done ones even chicks with chicken pox
I am willing to engage in physical encounters with anyone, even if there is a risk of contracting a contagious illness.
Drunk ones spun ones give me some
I am open to physical encounters with anyone, regardless of their physical or mental state.
Fat ones whacked ones anyone
I am open to physical encounters with anyone, regardless of their physical appearance or mental state.
I want someone anyone
I am open to physical encounters with anyone who is willing.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Spirit Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GREG CAMP, GREGORY D. CAMP, KEVIN JOHN IANNELLO, PAUL DELISLE, PAUL GERALD DELISLE, STEVEN HARWELL, STEVEN SCOTT HARWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind