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.
The Fonz
Smash Mouth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And wear them for a day
Learn to walk like you do
And say what I see
I'd talk like I know something
That everyone wanted to hear
But you're the Fonz
But you're the Fonz
You're the Fonz
The definition of icy
The measure of what's up
You could play the tuba
And everyone would clap
Well I can play the tuba
And they all just shake their heads
'Cause you're the Fonz
You're the Fonz
'Cause you're the Fonz
You're the Fonz
'Cause you're the Fonz
You're the Fonz
'Cause you're the Fonz
You're the Fonz
I know it's over for me
I know it's over for me
I know it's over for me
I know it's over
I drove my car to the top floor
And stood at the edge
When I woke up in heaven
Looked down and no one cared
But when you pulled your own trigger
They all gathered around to watch
'Cause you're the Fonz
You're the Fonz
'Cause you're the Fonz
You're the Fonz
'Cause you're the Fonz
You're the Fonz
'Cause you're the Fonz
You're the Fonz
Because you are the Fonz
You're the Fonz
Because you are the Fonz
You're the Fonz
Because you are the Fonz
You're the Fonz
Because you are the Fonz
You're the Fonz
Because you are the
In The Fonz by Smash Mouth, the singer wishes to be like the titular character, the Fonz. They want to walk and talk like him, feeling if they could, they would be able to say something that everyone wanted to hear. The Fonz is the definition of cool, the measure of what's up. The singer compares themselves to the Fonz, saying they can play the tuba but it doesn't compare to the Fonz's coolness. They even contemplate suicide, saying they drove their car to the top floor and stood at the edge, but when the Fonz pulls his own trigger, everyone gathers around to watch. The song ultimately ends with the repeated statement that the Fonz is the Fonz because he is the Fonz.
The song is a commentary on our obsession with celebrities and how we romanticize their often destructive behavior. It shows the longing for acceptance and the idea that being like someone else could solve all their problems. The Fonz is a symbol of a kind of invincibility in the face of adversity, being the one everyone looks up to, and the singer wishes to have that kind of image. However, the song ends on a dark note, showing that even the Fonz's charisma and coolness can't save him from tragedy.
Line by Line Meaning
I want to try your shoes on
I want to experience life like you do
And wear them for a day
And walk in your shoes for a short period of time
Learn to walk like you do
Learn to move in the world as you do
And say what I see
And speak honestly about what I observe
I'd talk like I know something
I would sound like I am knowledgeable
That everyone wanted to hear
That everyone would find interesting or valuable
But you're the Fonz
But you are the epitome of coolness
The definition of icy
The embodiment of coolness
The measure of what's up
The standard for what is current or stylish
You could play the tuba
You could do something uncool and still be admired
And everyone would clap
And people would still applaud you
Well I can play the tuba
I can also do something uncool
And they all just shake their heads
But people would not find it impressive or admirable
I know it's over for me
I know I will never be as cool as you
I drove my car to the top floor
I tried to end my life
And stood at the edge
And contemplated suicide
When I woke up in heaven
When I died and went to the afterlife
Looked down and no one cared
Realized that no one mourned my loss
But when you pulled your own trigger
But when you seemingly ended your own life
They all gathered around to watch
Everyone was shocked and fascinated by your actions
Because you are the Fonz
Because you are the embodiment of coolness
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Spirit Music Group
Written by: GREG CAMP, GREGORY D. CAMP, KEVIN JOHN IANNELLO, PAUL DELISLE, PAUL GERALD DELISLE, STEVEN HARWELL, STEVEN SCOTT HARWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind