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.
Force Field
Smash Mouth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I found it in a bargain bin
Why do you ask
Rosy cheeks and a smile
There's no shame in my game of denial
Don't you touch, move along
Keep your hands inside
Ask enough from afar
It don't get much better than this
There's the riff, here's the hook,
Where's the myth
Manning my stations
Taking control of the situation
Say hello to my force field
Beaten down on all fours
And they'll stare as they pass
Please don't feed or provoke
Or tap on the glass
Bet you never felt quite like that
You could say, don't complain where I'm at
Manning my stations
Taking control of the situation
Say hello to my force field
You won't see me cry (you won't you won't)
You won't see me die
The escapade still exists of the task
Of pullin' off a miracle out of my @$$
It don't get much better than that
A savvy fox, a loyal dog, a sunny cat
Manning my stations
Taking control of the situation
Say hello to my force field (Say hello to my force field)
Say hello to my force field (Say hello to my force field)
Say hello to my force field
Say hello to my force field
The lyrics to "Force Field" by Smash Mouth paint a vivid picture of someone trying to escape reality and cope with their emotions by wearing a metaphorical mask. The opening lines describe the mask being found in a bargain bin, implying that it's not something valuable or worthwhile. The singer then talks about rosy cheeks and a smile, suggesting that they don't want anyone to know what they're really feeling. They refer to themselves as being in a state of denial, choosing to ignore whatever it is that's troubling them. The lines "Don't you touch, move along / Keep your hands inside" indicate that the singer doesn't want anyone to get too close or try to help them.
The next verse talks about the singer feeling beaten down and vulnerable, as if they're on display for others to judge. They ask not to be provoked or disturbed, as if they're a caged animal. However, they assert that they won't give in or let anyone see them weak. The final verse suggests that the escape that the singer is seeking is not so much about running away from their problems, but about pulling off a "miracle" and feeling successful. The mention of a "savvy fox, a loyal dog, a sunny cat" implies that they're using these qualities in themselves to overcome whatever challenges they're facing.
Overall, "Force Field" is a song about the ways that we hide from ourselves and others when we're feeling overwhelmed or vulnerable. It's a reminder that sometimes we need to confront our problems head-on and not be afraid to ask for help when we need it.
Line by Line Meaning
Today's escape will consist of a mask
I'll be hiding behind a disguise to avoid confronting reality
I found it in a bargain bin
I settled for something cheap and convenient to avoid putting in more effort
Why do you ask
I don't want to have to explain myself or engage in a deeper conversation
Rosy cheeks and a smile
I'm putting on a happy face to cover up my true emotions
There's no shame in my game of denial
I'm aware that I'm avoiding reality, but I don't feel guilty about it
Don't you touch, move along
Stay away from me and don't try to interfere with my coping mechanism
Keep your hands inside
Don't try to help me or reach out to me, I need to deal with this on my own
Ask enough from afar
You can ask superficial questions, but don't pry or try to get too close
Enjoy the ride
I'm going to continue ignoring my problems and distracting myself with temporary pleasures
It don't get much better than this
I'm content with my current state of avoidance and don't see a reason to change
There's the riff, here's the hook, Where's the myth
I'm more concerned with the catchy music than the substance of the song
Manning my stations
I'm taking charge and protecting myself with my defense mechanisms
Taking control of the situation
I don't want to feel powerless or vulnerable, so I'm exerting control over my environment
Say hello to my force field
I'm creating a barrier between myself and the outside world to avoid facing my problems
Beaten down on all fours
I feel defeated and powerless in the face of my challenges
And they'll stare as they pass
Others may judge or pity me, but I'm not interested in their opinions
Please don't feed or provoke
I don't want to engage in any more conflict or stress than I already have
Or tap on the glass
Don't try to get my attention or disturb my fragile bubble of denial
Bet you never felt quite like that
Others may not understand what I'm going through or why I'm avoiding reality
You could say, don't complain where I'm at
I've chosen to avoid reality, so I can't really complain about the consequences
You won't see me cry (you won't you won't)
I'm tough and refuse to let my guard down or show vulnerability
You won't see me die
I'm determined to keep my coping mechanisms intact, even if they're not healthy
The escapade still exists of the task
I'm still trying to distract myself from reality and find quick solutions
Of pullin' off a miracle out of my @$
I'm hoping for a lucky break or sudden change that will solve my problems
A savvy fox, a loyal dog, a sunny cat
I'm surrounding myself with comforting illusions and distractions to avoid facing my challenges
Say hello to my force field
I'm emphasizing the importance of maintaining my defense mechanisms and avoiding vulnerability
Say hello to my force field
I'm repeating the message that I'm prioritizing my coping mechanisms over addressing my problems
Say hello to my force field
I'm emphasizing that my force field is the only protection I need, and that I'm not interested in changing my approach
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GREG CAMP, GREGORY D. CAMP, PAUL DELISLE, PAUL GERALD DELISLE, STEVEN HARWELL, STEVEN SCOTT HARWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind