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.
Hold You High
Smash Mouth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When everything is upside down
You can look at things differently
Come and check my galaxy
You'll be claiming stars now, baby
I'll be representing clouds
But before you get too far out, baby
Before you start looking down
Let me show you the way how
Let me hold you high
Ultra touch, sight, and sound
Your feet are safely on the ground
I'm staring off into your space
You're only coming through in waves right now but
I see you coming my way now, baby
You know I'll be kicking down
But before you get to far out, baby
You know I'll be reeling you homeward bound
Let me show you the way how
Let me hold you high
You'll be claiming stars now, baby
And I'll be representing clouds
But before we get too far out, baby
Don't you start looking down
Let me show you the way how
Let me hold you high
Let me hold you high
Let me hold you high
Let me hold you high
The lyrics of "Hold You High" by Smash Mouth describe a supportive relationship between two people. The opening lines suggest that the person the singer is addressing might be feeling lost or overwhelmed in life, but the singer assures them that their perspective can be changed. The metaphor of the singer's "galaxy" represents a new way of seeing the world, where the other person can "claim stars" and the singer will "represent clouds." The singer also urges the other person not to get too carried away in this new perspective, and to remember to stay grounded.
As the song continues, the singer describes how they are immersing themselves in the other person's life. The other person might only be "coming through in waves" at the moment, but the singer can already see them coming "my way now." The singer is eager to support the other person, telling them "you know I'll be reeling you homeward bound." The final chorus repeats the idea of the singer holding the other person up and helping them see the world in a new way.
Overall, "Hold You High" is a song about the transformative power of supportive relationships. The metaphor of the galaxy and stars represents the idea that a change in perspective can unlock new opportunities and dreams. The singer's promise to "hold you high" is a powerful symbol of support and encouragement.
Line by Line Meaning
When your head is spinning 'round
When everything feels confusing and disorienting
When everything is upside down
When everything feels turned upside down
You can look at things differently
You have the power to change your perspective
Come and check my galaxy
Join me in my universe, in the world I've created
You'll be claiming stars now, baby
You'll be achieving greatness and reaching for the stars
I'll be representing clouds
And I'll be there to support you and lift you up
But before you get too far out, baby
But before you get carried away, remember to stay grounded
Before you start looking down
Before you become overwhelmed and lose sight of your goals
Let me show you the way how
Let me guide you and help you find your path
Let me hold you high
Let me support you and lift you up
Ultra touch, sight, and sound
I am fully in tune with the world around me
Your feet are safely on the ground
You are grounded in reality
I'm staring off into your space
I am looking at your potential and your future
You're only coming through in waves right now but
You are still discovering your full potential, but I see it coming
I see you coming my way now, baby
I see you heading towards success
You know I'll be kicking down
And I'll be there to remove any obstacles in your way
But before you get to far out, baby
But before you get ahead of yourself, remember to stay grounded
You know I'll be reeling you homeward bound
I'll be there to guide you back on track if you veer off course
Let me show you the way how
Let me continue to guide you towards success
Let me hold you high
Let me continue to support and lift you up
Let me hold you high
Let me be a source of continuous support
Let me hold you high
Let me be there to lift you up when you need it
Lyrics © 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