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.
Keep It Down
Smash Mouth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But okay is just okay
And just alright makes you think what could be on the other side
Running with the big dogs, left those puppies on the porch
Scratching fleas is the lease in the real world
If I knew then what I know now
Just alright would be okay somehow
Could you keep it down?
Had it made, had it play itself out
In a sitcom style
So the landlord has his key in my door
I'll have amnesia for a while
I've seen ridiculous sunsets in a sickening sky
Made me feel really ill in a beautiful way
I've seen perfect people and I shield my eyes
I don't deserve to see their shame
Keep it down now
Just keep it down
I can't hear myself think
Who needs to think?
The lyrics to Smash Mouth's song "Keep It Down" are a reflection on life experiences and how they shape an individual's perspective. The first verse reminisces about a time when everything seemed okay, but the singer acknowledges that "okay is just okay" and wonders what could be on the other side of just alright. This sentiment is reinforced with the metaphor of running with the big dogs while leaving the puppies on the porch, indicating a desire for success and adventure. The singer then describes how the real world demands more than just scratching fleas, alluding to the notion that life is not always easy. Despite this, the singer suggests that if they had known then what they know now, even just being alright would be okay.
The chorus, "keep it down now, could you keep it down?" appears to be a plea for stillness and quiet, as if the singer is trying to clear their mind and reflect on their experiences. The second verse continues the contemplative tone, with the singer acknowledging that they had it made and that life played out like a sitcom, until the landlord comes knocking. The use of amnesia as a coping mechanism suggests that the singer is trying to forget a painful experience. The metaphor of sickening sunsets and perfect people highlights the contrast between beauty and ugliness, as well as the idea that even seemingly perfect people have their own flaws and struggles.
Overall, "Keep It Down" is a song that reflects on the complexities of life and the need for introspection in the face of hardship. The singer recognizes that life is not always easy, but suggests that even in difficult times, there is wisdom to be gained and lessons to be learned.
Line by Line Meaning
Back in the day everything seemed to be okay
In the past things seemed to be alright
But okay is just okay
Being okay is nothing special
And just alright makes you think what could be on the other side
Merely being okay makes you wonder what else is out there
Running with the big dogs, left those puppies on the porch
Associating with successful people and leaving less successful ones behind
Scratching fleas is the lease in the real world
Dealing with minor problems is normal in reality
If I knew then what I know now
Knowing what I know now, I wish I could go back in time
Just alright would be okay somehow
Merely being okay would be satisfactory in some way
Keep it down now
Please lower the volume
Could you keep it down?
I am requesting that you lower the volume
Had it made, had it play itself out
I had everything I needed, everything went smoothly
In a sitcom style
Like in a TV show
So the landlord has his key in my door
My landlord has access to my apartment
I'll have amnesia for a while
I will forget what just happened for some time
I've seen ridiculous sunsets in a sickening sky
I have witnessed strange and unpleasant sunsets
Made me feel really ill in a beautiful way
It caused me to feel unwell but it was still aesthetically pleasing
I've seen perfect people and I shield my eyes
I have encountered people who appear perfect and it is uncomfortable to look at them
I don't deserve to see their shame
It would not be right for me to witness their embarrassment
Just keep it down
Please continue to lower the volume
I can't hear myself think
It is too loud for me to think straight
Who needs to think?
I am implying that thinking is unnecessary in this situation
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