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.
I Just Wanna See
Smash Mouth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's okay watching the weeds grow
And if you listen really hard
The Earth, she hums when it's dark
Sleeping on the sidewalk, a home they call
Doctors and lawyers race for the ball
And I don't even wanna understand it all
All the little kids gettin' down to the rhythm
The boys all shined up, chasin' down the women
A paper boy smilin' at the job that he's given
The bugs in the grass and the birds all swimmin'
Mister Moon checkin' on how y'all livin'
The stars all winkin' at the day that's dimmin'
I just wanna see
The aqueducts overflown
Watching the branches and dolls go home
And if you listen really well
The Earth, she speaks when she's pale
Sleeping on the ceiling, the flies don't fall
Dust bunnies found their way to a wall
And I don't even want to understand it all
I just wanna see
All the little kids gettin' down to the rhythm
The boys all shined up, chasin' down the women
A paper boy smilin' at the job that he's given
The bugs in the grass and the birds all swimmin'
Mister Moon checkin' on how y'all livin'
The stars all winkin' at the day that's dimmin'
I just wanna see
Sleeping on the sidewalk, a home they call
Doctors and lawyers race for the ball
And I don't even wanna understand it all
I just wanna see
All the little kids gettin' down to the rhythm
The boys all shined up, chasin' down the women
A paper boy smilin' at the job that he's given
The bugs in the grass and the birds all swimmin'
Mister Moon checkin' on how y'all livin'
The stars all winkin' at the day that's dimmin'
I just wanna see, I just wanna see
The lyrics of Smash Mouth's "I Just Wanna See" convey a desire to witness the simple beauties of the world. The opening line refers to the fast-paced nature of modern society, but the song suggests that it's okay to slow down and watch the weeds grow. The line "if you listen really hard the earth she hums when it's dark" hints at the idea that even the earth has a kind of vibrant energy that can be felt if one pays close enough attention.
Throughout the song, the singer describes a variety of scenes and characters, from kids dancing to adults chasing women, from a smiling paperboy to bugs in the grass. These images capture the essence of living, and the beauty that can be found in the mundane. The line "mister moon checkin' on how y'all livin'" highlights the connection between humans and nature - the idea that the moon and stars are watching over us.
The refrain "I just want to see" speaks to a desire to experience the world purely, without over-analyzing or trying to understand it all. In a world where information overload and constant stimulation are the norm, the song suggests that sometimes what we really need is to simply observe and appreciate the world around us.
Line by Line Meaning
a planet on the go it's ok watching the weeds grow
In this fast-paced world, it's okay to slow down and take a moment to appreciate the simplicity of nature.
and if you listen really hard the earth she hums when it's dark
If you truly listen to the Earth, you can hear it make beautiful sounds, even in the darkness.
sleeping on the sidewalk the hope they call doctors and lawyers
Even those who don't have a permanent home or job have hope and dreams just like those who are highly educated.
race for the ball and I don't even want to understand it all
Life is full of competition and complex situations, but sometimes it's best to just enjoy the moment without overthinking it.
I just want to see all the little kids gettin' down to the rhythm
Watching children dance and have fun is a simple pleasure that can bring joy to anyone.
the boys all shined up chasin' down the women
It's natural for young men to take interest in women and chase after them, and that can be a fun and exciting experience for both parties.
a paper boy smilin' at the job that he's given
Even those with simple jobs, like being a paperboy, can find joy in their work and take pride in doing it well.
the bugs in the grass and the birds all swimmin'
Nature is full of fascinating creatures and it's amazing to see them in their natural habitats.
mister moon checkin' on how y'all livin'
The moon is a constant presence in our lives and it's reassuring to know that it's always watching over us.
the stars all winkin' at the day that's dimmin'
As the day ends, the stars come out to twinkle in the sky, reminding us that there is always beauty in the world.
I just want to see the aquaducts overflown
Sometimes it can be thrilling to see something unexpected, like a flooded aqueduct, and witness the power of nature.
watching the branches and dolls go home
As the day ends, even inanimate objects like branches and dolls seem to come alive and take on a life of their own as they move towards their homes.
and if you listen really well the earth she speaks when she's pale
When the Earth is quiet and still, it can seem like it's communicating with you in a language all its own.
sleeping on the ceiling the flies don't fall
In an upside-down world, even the laws of gravity seem to be reversed and flies can find a safe haven on the ceiling.
dust bunnies found their way to a wall
Even something as mundane as dust bunnies can find a place in the world, like on a wall where they create their own little ecosystem.
and I don't even want to understand it all
Sometimes it's okay to not fully comprehend everything that's happening around you, and just enjoy the moment for what it is.
I just want to see
At the end of the day, all we really want is to experience the world and appreciate all the beauty and wonder it has to offer.
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Gregory D Camp, Paul Gerald Delisle
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind