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.
New Planet
Smash Mouth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You were a rock but I took you for granite
Ain't that a shame, ain't it a sin?
We added too much baggage when our ship came in
Like a laser beam
You're never what I'm seeing
I ought to better my best behavior
But the twist of fate bridge was gonna burn anyway
Without you, it's no fun
It's like a total eclipse of the sun
Without you it's no wonder
It's like a total eclipse of the sun
It's just that time of the season
I'm getting tongue-tied facing my demons
But I'm free 'cause I want you to be
But the twist of fate bridge was gonna burn anyway
We need a new planet
You were a peach but I told you to can it
You weren't the only pig in the pen
We added too much baggage when our ship came in
The lyrics to "New Planet" by Smash Mouth reflect on the complexities of relationships and how they often fall apart quickly. The song's opening lines depict a yearning for a fresh start, perhaps on a different planet or in a new phase of life, as the singer seeks to escape the baggage that has built up in a previous relationship. The following lines imply that the former love interest was taken for granted or not appreciated enough, using the metaphor of being mistaken as a rock instead of the valuable mineral granite. The chorus highlights the incompleteness of life without that special someone, likening it to a solar eclipse and emphasizing that the song is narrated in the voice of someone still in the process of self-reflection.
The rest of the song delves into the ambiguity of relationships, acknowledging the singer's role in the fallout while also suggesting that things were bound to end badly regardless. The singer acknowledges their poor behavior and acceptance of their own demons, but also stresses that they related to their partner differently from moment to moment. Again, the metaphor of baggage is used to highlight the imperfection of human connection. Despite these complications, the chorus repeats the refrain that the other person is needed in the singer's life, acknowledging the irony that the relationship was both tumultuous and cherished.
Line by Line Meaning
We need a new planet
Our current planet is no longer suitable or habitable for us
You were a rock but I took you for granite
I mistook your strength for rigidity, and didn't fully appreciate you
Ain't that a shame, ain't it a sin?
It's regrettable and unfortunate, isn't it?
We added too much baggage when our ship came in
We brought too many problems and complications when we arrived
Like a laser beam
Focusing solely on one point or aspect
You're never what I'm seeing
You always seem different from how I imagine you
I ought to better my best behavior
I need to improve how I act towards you
I can't deny I lit the fire
I played a part in causing the problem or conflict
But the twist of fate bridge was gonna burn anyway
Regardless of my actions, the relationship was meant to end
Without you, it's no fun
My life feels empty and dreary when you're not there
It's like a total eclipse of the sun
It's a monumental loss and a dramatic change
Without you it's no wonder
It's not surprising that life is dull and joyless without you
It's just that time of the season
It's a natural and recurring cycle or phase
I'm getting tongue-tied facing my demons
I'm struggling to confront my inner issues and fears
But I'm free 'cause I want you to be
Even though it hurts, I'm willing to let go and allow you to move on
You were a peach but I told you to can it
I unfairly dismissed your sweetness and bottled up your emotions
You weren't the only pig in the pen
I had other romantic interests or options besides you
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