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.
Diggin
Smash Mouth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In "Diggin' Your Scene," Smash Mouth sings about being in love with someone who is unattainable and a bit crazy. The lyrics describe how the singer can't help but be attracted to this person even though they are aware that they're being led on. The singer likens their love interest to a drug addiction, with lines like "like a junkie knows he ought to kick/but I don't want to be dope sick/so I scramble for a fix." Despite the unhealthy nature of the relationship, the singer is unable to resist the pull of their object of affection.
The lyrics also touch on themes of societal pressure and the desire to fit in. The singer says they want to be on the team that their love interest despises, indicating a desire to be rebellious and go against the norm. The line "every night a Halloween" suggests that the love interest is always putting on a different persona, perhaps as a way of hiding their true self. The singer seems to be aware that they are being toyed with, yet can't help but continue to play along.
Overall, "Diggin' Your Scene" is a cautionary tale about falling in love with someone who is bad for you. However, it also acknowledges the thrill and excitement that can come from being with someone who is unpredictable and wild.
Line by Line Meaning
tell me why we're all gluttons for pain
Questioning why humans are attracted to pain and suffering
the girl is totally insane
The person being referred to is irrational or unpredictable
she doesn't know the meaning of tame
She is wild and can't be easily controlled
still I can't put out the flame
Despite recognizing the person's wildness, the singer is still attracted to them
hey hey I want to play on the team that you despise
The singer wants to be on the side of the person that everyone else dislikes
every day a new disguise every night a Halloween
The person wears a different persona every day and is constantly changing
she says keep the motor runnin' man like I was some machine
The person wants the singer to always be ready and available for them
you can talk talk but I'm keepin' her stock
The singer is keeping things the way they are and not changing anything
I wouldn't even change a thing why fight
The singer doesn't want to change the situation and would rather continue as is
you've got me roped and tied I hit your baited line
The person has control over the singer and has lured them in
I'm so diggin' your scene
The singer is really enjoying being with this person
I said you're playing with my head I could split instead
The person is toying with the singer's emotions, but they are still not ready to leave
on you like a hungry tick like a junkie knows he ought to kick
The singer knows that being with this person is not healthy, but they can't stop
but I don't want to be dope sick so I scramble for a fix
The singer wants to continue being with the person but is aware of the negative consequences
voodoo and sorcery too I can't shake your freaky spell
The person has a hold over the singer that they cannot break
(repeat chorus)
Repeating the chorus about enjoying being with this person
can anybody tell me why we're springer bound
Questioning why people are attracted to dysfunctional relationships
why we feel so up when we're kept down
Questioning why being with someone who is controlling and abusive can make a person feel good
on a short leash behind a barbed wire fence with no change of parole on a life sentence
Feeling trapped in a relationship with no way out
my friends tell me I should run they say they think she's got a gun
The singer's friends are warning them about the negative aspects of this relationship
but that just only turns me on right on right on right on
Despite the warnings, the singer is still attracted to this person and situation
Lyrics Β© Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ROBERT HOWARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind