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.
Solitude
Smash Mouth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I see myself in you I don't like what I see
If my voice like you in sounds
What the hell is going down
I'm so pissed off at myself
In the mirror, it's you that I see
Staring back at me
I don't like what I see
But I know it's kinda true
Look at myself, your just like me
I've always told myself at you
I didn't want to be I lose my solitude
I see myself in you
I don't like what I see I change but it's a work
I'm going back down to what is worse
I can't believe I yelled at you
You yelled at me can't you see
We're going no where fast, like a plane will crash
Like a plane would crash, like a plane will crash
You always said that you were proud
Let me lay and rest your doubts
The critizem I can't take
But I can't deal with all your hate
I can't deal with all your hate (2x)
Never seem to ever let up
All I needed was a friend
Someone to talk to, someone to turn my thoughts around
Pick me up when I fall down
Lead me in the right direction
Aid me in my resurrection
You kicked me 'round I try to tell you I've had enough
Feel my thoughts and feel my soul
Tell me which way that I should go
Which way that I should go, I should go
I lose my solitude
I see myself in you I don't like what I see
I lose my solitude
I see myself in you I don't like what I see
"Solitude" is a song that explores the struggle of self-reflection and the consequences of not liking what we see. The lyrics express the frustration and disappointment of the singer, who sees himself in someone else and does not like what he sees. He is trying to pretend that everything is okay, but he knows it is not true. The repetition of the line "I lose my solitude, I see myself in you, I don't like what I see" reinforces the message of the song, which is the struggle of being self-aware and dealing with our flaws.
The lyrics also suggest that the relationship between the singer and this person has turned toxic, with both parties yelling and going nowhere fast. The song talks about the need for a friend, someone to help the singer in his struggle with himself, and someone to aid him in his resurrection. The ending of the song implies that there is hope, as the singer is asking for guidance in finding the right direction.
Overall, "Solitude" is a song about self-reflection, honesty, and finding the right path in life.
Line by Line Meaning
I lose my solitude
I feel like I've lost my independence and my sense of self
I see myself in you I don't like what I see
When I look at you, I see parts of myself that I don't like and it makes me uncomfortable
If my voice like you in sounds
I feel like my voice sounds like yours and it bothers me
What the hell is going down
I'm confused and frustrated about what's happening
I'm so pissed off at myself
I'm really angry with myself
In the mirror, it's you that I see
When I look in the mirror, I see you and it's unsettling
Staring back at me I don't like what I see
I don't like seeing you staring back at me when I look in the mirror
I try to look the other way, and pretend that I'm okay
I try to avoid seeing you by looking away and acting like everything is fine
But I know it's kinda true
Deep down, I know that what I see in you is also true about myself
Look at myself, your just like me
When I really examine myself, I realize that I'm just like you
I've always told myself at you I didn't want to be
I've always thought that I didn't want to be like you
I lose my solitude
I feel like I've lost my independence and my sense of self
I see myself in you
I recognize aspects of myself in you
I change but it's a work
I'm trying to change but it's difficult and requires effort
I'm going back down to what is worse
I feel like I'm going backwards and regressing to a worse state
I can't believe I yelled at you
I regret yelling at you
You yelled at me can't you see
I wish you could see how your yelling also affects me
We're going no where fast, like a plane will crash
Our relationship is heading towards disaster and there's no stopping it
You always said that you were proud
You often said that you were proud of me
Let me lay and rest your doubts
Allow me to reassure you and alleviate your doubts
The criticism I can't take
I'm sensitive to criticism and it's difficult for me to handle
But I can't deal with all your hate
I can't handle the amount of animosity you have towards me
I can't deal with all your hate (2x)
I can't handle the emotional weight of your hate
Never seem to ever let up
It feels like the pressure and negativity never stops
All I needed was a friend
All I really needed was a supportive friend
Someone to talk to, someone to turn my thoughts around
Someone who could help me get out of my negative thought patterns
Pick me up when I fall down
Help me get back on my feet when I'm struggling
Lead me in the right direction
Guide me towards making better decisions
Aid me in my resurrection
Help me come back to life and improve myself
You kicked me 'round
You treated me poorly and made me feel low
I try to tell you I've had enough
I'm trying to communicate that I can't handle your behavior anymore
Feel my thoughts and feel my soul
Understand my emotions and feelings
Tell me which way that I should go
Help me determine the right path to take
Which way that I should go, I should go
I need guidance on what direction to take in my life
I lose my solitude
I feel like I've lost my independence and my sense of self
I see myself in you I don't like what I see
When I look at you, I see parts of myself that I don't like and it makes me uncomfortable
I lose my solitude
I feel like I've lost my independence and my sense of self
I see myself in you I don't like what I see
When I look at you, I see parts of myself that I don't like and it makes me uncomfortable
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DUKE ELLINGTON, EDDIE LANGE DE, IRVING MILLS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lazer Mike
this is a banger. Thanks, Smash Mouth's twitter for being petty about sports & linking it
Joe Sherman
childhood favorite for me.
Cruz Ramirez
We are bros now. This was my soundtrack to Tony Hawk Pro Skater 2 and Halo 2.
Maria Hanover
This is kind of proof that smashmouth used to absolutely fucking bang
merphylol
<3