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.
Walkin
Smash Mouth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And teach the world to sing in perfect harmony
And teach the world to snuff the fires and the liars
Hey, I know it's just a song but it's spice for the recipe
This is a love attack, I know, went out but it's back
It's just like any fad, it retracts before impact
And just like fashion, it's a passion for the with it and hip
So don't delay, act now, supplies are running out
Allow if you're still alive, six to eight years to arrive
And if you follow, there may be a tomorrow
But if the offer is shun, you might as well be walkin' on the sun
Twenty-five years ago, they spoke out and they broke out
Of recession and oppression and together they toked
And they folked out with guitars around a bonfire
Just singin' and clappin', man, what the hell happened there?
Some were spellbound, some were hell bound
Some they fell down and some got back up
And fought back against the melt-down
And their kids were hippie chicks or hypocrites
Because fashion is smashin' the true meaning of it
So don't delay, act now, supplies are running out
Allow if you're still alive, six to eight years to arrive
And if you follow, there may be a tomorrow
But if the offer is shun, you might as well be walkin' on the sun
And it ain't no joke when our mama's handkerchief is soaked
With her tears because her baby's life has been revoked
The bond is broke up, so choke up and focus on the close up
Mr. Wizard can't reform, no God-like hocus-pocus
So don't sit back, kick back and watch the world get bushwhacked
News at ten, your neighborhood is under attack
Put away the crack before the crack put you away
You need to be there when your baby's old enough to relate
So don't delay, act now, supplies are running out
Allow if you're still alive, six to eight years to arrive
And if you follow, there may be a tomorrow
But if the offer is shun, you might as well be walkin' on the sun
(You might as well be walkin' on the sun)
The first verse of Smash Mouth's "Walking On The Sun" is a call for unity and the rejection of societal wrongs. The singer wants to buy the world a "toke" or a joint, and teach the world to "sing in perfect harmony" to overcome the fires and the liars. However, the singer recognizes that this is just a song, but it adds spice to the recipe of life. In the second verse, the singer talks about the fickleness of love as a fad, like fashion, which is a passion for those who are with it and hip. The song urges listeners not to delay in taking action as supplies are running out, and life is short. If the offer is not accepted, the singer says we might as well be "walkin' on the sun."
The third verse of the song looks back twenty-five years ago, where people broke out of recession and oppression and toked up while singing and clapping around a guitar bonfire. The era was a melting pot of people who were either spellbound, hell-bound, or both. The next generation of hippies questioned their parents' movements because fashion has a way of smashing the true meaning of it. The last verse discusses how the dissolution of societal bonds can lead to tears and broken families. The lyrics warn against sitting back and watching the world get bushwhacked and to put away dangerous things like crack before it's too late. Again, the singer urges listeners to act now as supplies may be running out.
Line by Line Meaning
It ain't no joke, I'd like to buy the world a toke
I'm serious, I wish I could gather everyone and share some drugs
And teach the world to sing in perfect harmony
Spread love and unity amongst all people
And teach the world to snuff the fires and the liars
End the deceitful and harmful practices in the world
Hey, I know it's just a song but it's spice for the recipe
Even though it's just a song, it can add flavor and inspiration to life
This is a love attack, I know, went out but it's back
We're starting a movement of love, even though it's not new
It's just like any fad, it retracts before impact
Similar to a trend, it dies out before it can make real change
And just like fashion, it's a passion for the with it and hip
It appeals to the cool and fashionable people
If you got the goods, they'll come and buy it just to stay in the clique
If you have something trendy, people will follow to fit in
So don't delay, act now, supplies are running out
Don't wait to make a change, time is running out
Allow if you're still alive, six to eight years to arrive
You still have a few years left to make a difference
And if you follow, there may be a tomorrow
If you take action, there is hope for the future
But if the offer is shun, you might as well be walkin' on the sun
If you choose not to act, you might as well be living a pointless existence
Twenty-five years ago, they spoke out and they broke out
People stood up, spoke out, and broke free from oppression 25 years ago
Of recession and oppression and together they toked
This happened during a time of financial crisis and oppression, and they smoked marijuana together
And they folked out with guitars around a bonfire
They enjoyed each other's company and played folk music around a fire
Just singin' and clappin', man, what the hell happened there?
They were just peacefully enjoying themselves, so what went wrong?
Some were spellbound, some were hell bound
Some were entranced and some were doomed
Some they fell down and some got back up
Some failed and some persevered
And fought back against the melt-down
They resisted the collapse of society
And their kids were hippie chicks or hypocrites
Their children were either free-spirited or insincere
Because fashion is smashin' the true meaning of it
Trends are destroying the authentic message of their movement
And it ain't no joke when our mama's handkerchief is soaked
It's not funny when mothers cry due to the loss of their children
With her tears because her baby's life has been revoked
They're crying because their child is gone forever
The bond is broke up, so choke up and focus on the close up
Their connection is lost, so pay attention to what's in front of you
Mr. Wizard can't reform, no God-like hocus-pocus
There's no magic cure to fix everything
So don't sit back, kick back and watch the world get bushwhacked
Don't passively observe the world being destroyed
News at ten, your neighborhood is under attack
The news is reporting on the danger in your local community
Put away the crack before the crack put you away
Stop doing drugs before the drugs ruin your life
You need to be there when your baby's old enough to relate
Be present in your child's life so you can connect with them later
But if the offer is shun, you might as well be walkin' on the sun
If you choose not to act, you might as well not exist
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
@spinblackcircles
All star gets all the hype but this is their best song. The guitar and organ go so hard and the rhythm in which he sings the lyrics makes it so catchy. RIP Steve
@RPGreg2600
Agreed!
@brandonsmith-scolaro4887
A man of class I see. This song rules, obviously Allstar is a great song but there's something special about this one.
@-CloClo-
True
@thewhisperingeye.
One of the few songs I'll dance to. Such a classic!
@thatdude4542
100%
@TomWatsonB1
When I was 12-13 years old and it was the late 90s, this was a grooving tune. As someone who grew up on classic rock, Smashmouth was a 90s band I actually enjoyed. Thanks for the memories, Steve and RIP.
@joseschmoe2800
Wot? 12-13 years old. YOU WERE JUST A KID. I was already 35!!!
@Samtino20
Same here 14 and mom turned me on to classic rock so this hit me right as rain
@greg55666
Me too--there are very few bands in the '90s that I know of that were worth listening to. Smash Mouth, Fatboy Slim, Beck. I think that's the end of the list?