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 Wan'na Be Like You
Smash Mouth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, .man!
Why-why-yyyyyea!
Now I'm the king of the swinger zone
The jungle V.I.P
I reached the top, and had to stop
And that's what's bothering me!
And stroll right into town
And be just like the other men
I'm tired of monkeying around
Oh, Ohbeedoo
I wan'na be like you! (abee dobee dobee)
I wan'na walk like you, (ching)
Talk like you do (ching)
You'll see it's true (shobee doo)
An ape like me (shobee dobee dobee)
Can learn to be
Human too!
Now don't try to kid me mancub
I made a deal with you
What I desire is man's red fire
To make my dream come true
Now Gimmie the secret man cub
C'mon tell me what to do
Give me the power of man's red flower
So I can be like you
Oh, Ohbeedoo
I wan'na be like you! (abee dobee dobee)
I wan'na walk like you, (ching)
Talk like you do (ching)
You'll see it's true (shobee doo)
An ape like me (shobee dobee dobee)
Can learn to be
Human too!
Moglee: Check this out!
Can you hear it?
Why-why-yyyyyea!
(Elephant Noise)
Moglee: Hit it papa bear!
(Instrumental Break)
Yeah, you!
I wan'na be like you! (abee dobee dobee)
I wan'na walk like you, (ching)
Talk like you do (ching)
You'll see it's true (shobee doo)
An ape like me (shobee dobee dobee)
Can learn to be
Human too!
I can learn to be
Someone like you
I can learn to be
Someone like me!
Yeah, man!
The lyrics to “I Wan’na Be Like You” by Smash Mouth is an adaptation of the original song from Disney’s animated film “The Jungle Book”. The song is performed by Louie (the orangutan) who is trying to persuade Mowgli (the man-cub) to give him the secret of making fire which he believes will turn him into a man. The opening lines reflect the excitement in the music and the bouncy rhythm which gains momentum with the catchy chorus.
The lyrics “Now I'm the king of the swinger zone, the jungle V.I.P, I reached the top, and had to stop and that's what's bothering me” suggest that Louie has everything he could ever desire in the jungle, but there is something missing that he cannot achieve by himself: human qualities like walking upright, talking, and being capable of making fire. Thus, he wants to be like Mowgli and other human beings. The jungle V.I.P wants to trade what he has, to learn how to walk and talk like the others in the village of men.
Louie is desperate to “be like you” and his ambitions are reflected in the song which is a fun and playful rendition of the original tune. The song highlights the importance of existence, seeking knowledge, and self-discovery. The song encourages the listener to embrace what they have yet to learn and shows how much one can achieve within themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Can you hear it?
Do you hear what I am hearing?
Yeah, .man!
Affirmative response to the previous question.
Why-why-yyyyyea!
Excited expression of enthusiasm, approval, or delight.
Now I'm the king of the swinger zone
I am now the dominant or influential figure of the group or society that engages in swinging lifestyle activities.
The jungle V.I.P
As the most valued member of the jungle community, I receive certain benefits and privileges.
I reached the top, and had to stop
I have achieved my desired status, but now I have become stagnant and unsatisfied.
And that's what's bothering me!
My inability to transcend or evolve beyond my current status is causing me distress.
I wan'na be a man, mancub
I desire to adopt the traits and characteristics of a human male, specifically one who was raised by wolves.
And stroll right into town
I want to confidently enter into civilized human society without feeling like an outsider.
And be just like the other men
I want to assimilate into human male culture and behavior, and not stand out as different or unique.
I'm tired of monkeying around
I am exhausted and frustrated with my current existence as a wild animal, and want to move on to a new phase of my life.
Oh, Ohbeedoo
An interjection with no clear meaning, possibly used to emphasize or add emphasis to the following statement or request.
I wan'na be like you! (abee dobee dobee)
I want to mimic or emulate human male behavior and lifestyle.
I wan'na walk like you, (ching)
I want to imitate the way you walk or move, in a way that is considered human-like.
Talk like you do (ching)
I want to speak using human language and communication styles, rather than animal grunts or vocalizations.
You'll see it's true (shobee doo)
You will realize that my desire to become human-like is genuine, and not just a passing whim or fantasy.
An ape like me (shobee dobee dobee)
Even though I am an animal, I believe it is possible for me to adopt human-like behavior and mannerisms.
Can learn to be
Human too!
I am confident that I can learn to be human-like, despite the obstacles or challenges that may arise.
Now don't try to kid me mancub
Do not attempt to deceive or lie to me, referring to Mancub (the human male figure).
I made a deal with you
I negotiated an agreement or exchange with Mancub at some point in the past.
What I desire is man's red fire
My ultimate goal and ambition is to possess the ability to make and control fire, which is an important element of human civilization and survival.
To make my dream come true
I believe that acquiring the power of fire will enable me to achieve my long-held desire to become human-like.
Now Gimmie the secret man cub
Reassertion of the request to be granted the knowledge and ability to make and control fire, directed towards Mancub.
C'mon tell me what to do
Urge for Mancub to provide specific instructions or guidance on how to acquire or access the power of fire, which I believe is necessary to become human-like.
Give me the power of man's red flower
Reaffirmation of the desire for access to the power of fire, which I believe will enable me to become human-like.
Oh, Ohbeedoo
Repetition of the previous interjection.
I wan'na be like you! (abee dobee dobee)
Repetition of the original desire to become human-like.
I can learn to be
Someone like you
I believe that by acquiring the power of fire and other human-like traits, I can become a person who is similar to you, Mancub.
Yeah, man!
Reaffirmation or agreement with a previous statement or request.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@QUEEN-yw6th
Now I'm the king of the swingers
Oh, the jungle VIP
I've reached the top and had to stop
And that's what's botherin' me
I wanna be a men, mencub
And stroll right into town
And be just like the other men
I'm tired of monkeyin' around!
Oh, oobee doo
I wanna be like you
I wanna walk like you
Talk like you, too
You'll see it's true
An ape like me
Can learn to be humen too
Now Don't try to kid me, mencub
I made a deal with you
What I desire is men's red fire
To make my dream come true
Now give me the secret, mencub
Come on, clue me what to do
Give me the power of men's red flower
So Ican be like you
Oh, oobee doo
I wanna be like you
I wanna walk like you
Talk like you, too
You'll see it's true
An ape like me
Can learn to be humen too
Oh, oobee doo
I wanna be like you
I wanna talk like you
talk like you, too
You'll see it's true
Someone like me
Can learn to be
Like someone like me
Can learn to be
Like someone like you
Can learn to be
Like someone like me
@romanbrown2029
R.i.p Steve. Thanks for giving us this amazing version of this song.
@treasures_untold_vlogs
One of our favorite Disney classic songs… Never knew this cover existed until today… I’m sure you all know why we’re here… 😔😔😔
@broncosfan1852
More than a month after his death, I discovered this for the first time as well. This has always been one of my favorite Disney songs.
@treasures_untold_vlogs
@@broncosfan1852 😔😔🙏🏼
@slightly4374
Grew up listening to this cd and loving this song!! Now I would say Fall out boy’s cover is my favorite but this one’s still most nostalgic 🥰
@jakesapir
Say what you will about the band, this is my favorite version of the song.
@mikewhite7361
this band is awesome thats what i want to say
@samanthabotti9307
Yep me too!!
@BotaskyNeko
recuerdo todavia el dia que conocía esta coleccion
@moje0076
Mine too