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.
Quality Control
Smash Mouth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And took out the garbage
No more noise pollution in the air
Just smog
Well sooner than later
Under the radar
They're starting a revolution off the air
C.C. I've got your quality control
They've cleared up the channels
Program and progress
If you haven't noticed you have just been whored
And turned out
Behind the receiver
The silver deceiver
Well we ain't bending over anymore
We've tuned out
C.C. I've got your quality control
Goin' to bed with an industry death wish
On an idolless pillow
Sleeping with the fish
The lottery winners they're all talkin'
But sayin' nothin' and soon they'll be walkin'
They've swept up the rubbish
And took out the garbage
Program and progress
If you didn't notice
Sooner than later, under the radar
We're starting a revolution off the air
C.C. I've got your quality control
The lyrics of Quality Control by Smash Mouth are a social commentary on the state of the media industry. The first verse speaks about the removal of physical rubbish and garbage, symbolizing the cleaning up of the environment, while also hinting at the removal of noise pollution. However, the line "just smog" references the reality of air pollution, suggesting that while the physical trash has been removed, a different form of pollution still exists. The second verse highlights the control that media corporations have over programming and progress, and how this control has led to the creation of mindless, unoriginal content. The line, "if you haven't noticed you have just been whored and turned out," suggests that consumers have been sold out to corporations, who only care about making profits without any concern for quality or originality.
The bridge of the song addresses the state of the music industry, where artists are found sleeping with an "idolless pillow" or struggling to make a name for themselves, while lottery winners who have "made it" are ultimately "sayin' nothin' and soon they'll be walkin'." Finally, the chorus repeats the line "C.C. I've got your quality control," seeming to address a character named C.C. who may represent the media industry.
Line by Line Meaning
They've swept up the rubbish
All the unnecessary or unwanted things have been removed and cleaned up
And took out the garbage
Got rid of any unwanted items or substances
No more noise pollution in the air
There is a noticeable absence of unnecessary or harmful sounds around
Just smog
However, there is still a presence of pollution in the air
Well sooner than later
The change they are advocating for will happen sooner than one may expect
Under the radar
This change will happen without drawing too much attention, and often overlooked by most people
They're starting a revolution off the air
They are starting a movement for change that is not broadcasted on any media platform
C.C. I've got your quality control
Referring to the authority that they have to control the quality of whatever is being broadcasted
They've cleared up the channels
All channels have been adjusted to meet their standards
Program and progress
All programs and projects have been refined and are now more advanced
If you haven't noticed you have just been whored
If you haven't realized, you have been taken advantage of without knowing it
And turned out
Despite this, you have still been cast out and excluded from the conversation
Behind the receiver
People who are receiving the message are behind-the-scenes and often left unheard
The silver deceiver
This refers to an unknown or manipulative person in power
Well we ain't bending over anymore
We are not going to put up with or comply with their unfair practices anymore
We've tuned out
We have stopped giving attention to what they are trying to broadcast
Goin' to bed with an industry death wish
People in this industry have a negative outlook and expect it to end soon
On an idolless pillow
This industry does not have any significant or positive influence on our lives
Sleeping with the fish
People who are still invested in the industry are likely to suffer the consequences of it
The lottery winners they're all talkin'
Those who have reaped the rewards of the industry are trying to maintain the status quo
But sayin' nothin' and soon they'll be walkin'
However, they ultimately have nothing important to say or contribute, and it won't be long before they are irrelevant
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, 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
Ben Loth
Every once in awhile I remember this album exists. Best Smash Mouth album in my opinion.
Derek Pratte
What a great song!
Omar Yacoubi
Nice deep cut
patrick grondines
thanks sorry that my photo icon is different but i'm the same person that uploaded it
un zoomer retro
Sounds like Space Man by Smashmouth