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.
Pacific Coast Party
Smash Mouth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
California Interstate 1
Pacific Coast Party
If you got to work today
Get yourself a new vocation
Pacific Coast Party
You don't have to mind father time mother nature
Get yourself in line take your time
Just quit your bitchin' bite your tongue
Save it for a rainy day son
Pacific Coast Party
Get your ticket pack your bags
Come and join the celebration
Pacific Coast Party
If you want a fine piece of mind
Come and get it
Get yourself in line take your time
And watch it slip away
Pacific Coast Party
Hey I heard somebody say work harder than you play
But I never missed a single day's party
Word I never heard a word I turn the other way
Pacific Coast Party
The lyrics to Smash Mouth's song Pacific Coast Party are all about taking a break from the mundane work life and indulging in a wild party by the Pacific Ocean. The opening lines, "Get your motor running, California Interstate 1," suggest that the singer is ready to hit the road and make their way to the coast.
The repetition of "Pacific Coast Party" throughout the chorus is a call to action, encouraging anyone who may be feeling the strains of work to let loose and join in on the fun. The lyrics seem to emphasize the idea of letting go of time constraints and enjoying the present moment, as the lines "You don't have to mind father time, mother nature, get yourself in line, take your time and watch it slip away" suggest.
The song also seems to reject the notion that work should always come before play, as the lyrics "Hey, I heard somebody say, work harder than you play, but I never missed a single day's party, word, I never heard a word, I turn the other way" indicate that the singer prioritizes enjoyment over work.
Overall, the lyrics of Pacific Coast Party celebrate the idea of living in the moment and enjoying life, even if just for a short time.
Line by Line Meaning
Get your motor running
Start your engine and be ready to party
California Interstate 1
The Pacific Coast Highway in California, where the party is located
Pacific Coast Party
The main subject of the song, a party on the Pacific Coast Highway
If you got to work today
If you have to work today, it's unfortunate because you're missing the party
Get yourself a new vocation
Quit your job and find a new career that allows you to party
Pacific Coast Party
Reinforcing the idea that the party is the focus
You don't have to mind father time mother nature
You don't have to worry about time or nature, just enjoy the party
Get yourself in line take your time
Get in line for the party and take your time to enjoy it
And watch it slip away
Enjoy the moment, as it will be over soon
Just quit your bitchin' bite your tongue
Stop complaining and enjoy the party without any negativity
Save it for a rainy day son
Save your complaints for a bad day in the future, enjoy the party now
Pacific Coast Party
Again, reinforcing the focus of the song
Get your ticket pack your bags
Prepare for the party and get your ticket and bags ready
Come and join the celebration
Join the party and celebrate
Pacific Coast Party
Emphasizing the party again
If you want a fine piece of mind
If you want to relax and have a peaceful state of mind, come to the party
Come and get it
Come to the party and get your peace of mind
Get yourself in line take your time
Enjoy the party at your own pace
And watch it slip away
Again emphasizing the temporary nature of the party
Pacific Coast Party
Final emphasis on the party
Hey I heard somebody say work harder than you play
Someone said that you should work more than you party
But I never missed a single day's party
The singer has never missed a party and prefers to enjoy life to the fullest
Word I never heard a word I turn the other way
The singer ignores the idea of working harder than partying and focuses on living life to the fullest
Pacific Coast Party
Final emphasis on the main subject of the song
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Universal Music Publishing Group, 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
@alphaoonoo
My heartfelt condolences. Rest in peace, Steve ❤️ What an iconic character. Your remarkable contributions made our childhoods truly unforgettable 😢✨
@NahuelMartinRomeroAceituno
❤❤
@ChandlerSomborac
Google what he did during his last concert and I guarantee that you'll be shocked and will either edit, or delete your post. He's not what he appeared to be.
@ellieadkinson3657
RIP Steve Harwell. This was my favorite song of yours when I was a teenager. I will never forget the chaotic life you lived and taught us all to live too. We’ll miss you! 😭
@user-vi4xy1jw7e
I mean, his chaotic life is probably why he passed away so young.
@SnowStark95
this is one my favorite songs as well love Smash Mouth
@sonicjet7759
😥😗STEVE HARWEL, PLEASE COME BACK TO THIS WORLD AGAIN, SO WE CAN ENJOY YOUR MUSIC
@TheKreature13666
RIP Steve Harwell, I remember when I was 5-6 years old playing Disney's Extreme Skate Adventure and this being one of my favorite songs from that soundtrack. Even now at almost 21 years old, it is still one of my favorite Smash Mouth songs.
@RuiLlexy
me too...
@BlazenPowers
That was the game that I first heard this song. It was one of my favorites too. For a THUG clone they had some awesome tracks.