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.
Who’s There
Smash Mouth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your face glowing in blue
You smile at the thought
That there's something out there
Suddenly a smile turns to a stare
A million tiny light bulbs
Shining through celluloid
Across the country little green men
The women screaming
And the children gather and wonder
Who's there who's there
Fond of a night out in California
It's late an interruption in space
You smile could there be someone out there
Suddenly the smile has been erased
The radio crackled voices
With obvious and used excuses
Blue gas burning above flicks and cartoons
Bumper stickers in preparation for tomorrow
And the children gather and wonder
[Chorus]
A million tiny bulbs exploding
Out the theatre doors they're screaming
Ushers pick up treasures
Little nervous men co-ordinance
Point at the moon
And the children gather and wonder
[Chorus]
In "Who's There" by Smash Mouth, the lyrics depict someone looking up at the stars, searching for answers and pondering the possibility of extraterrestrial life. The line "your face glowing in blue" likely refers to the reflection of the light from electronic devices such as a phone or computer screen on the person's face. The initial excitement and happiness quickly turns to fear as sightings of UFOs and little green men cause chaos and panic across the country. The chorus repeats the question "Who's there?" as people wonder who or what is out there in the vast expanse of space.
Throughout the song, there is a juxtaposition between the excitement and hope of discovering something new and the fear and uncertainty that comes with encountering the unknown. The line "Bumper stickers in preparation for tomorrow" suggests that people are trying to make sense of what is happening and perhaps even preparing for what they believe may come next.
Overall, the lyrics in "Who's There" can be interpreted as a commentary on human curiosity, fear, and our relationship with the unknown. It captures the feeling of simultaneously being fascinated and scared by what lies beyond us.
Line by Line Meaning
You you look to the stars for answers
You are seeking answers through stargazing.
Your face glowing in blue
Your face is illuminated by the blue light of the stars.
You smile at the thought
The idea brings happiness and joy to you.
That there's something out there
You believe that there is something beyond our planet.
Suddenly a smile turns to a stare
Your happiness turns to a serious and focused gaze.
A million tiny light bulbs
There are many light bulbs or stars shining in the sky.
Shining through celluloid
The stars are shining through a film or cinematic lens.
Across the country little green men
People across the country are seeing images of extraterrestrial life.
Eyes shielded with a shaky hand
People are shielding their eyes with a shaking hand due to fear or excitement.
The women screaming
Women are screaming out of fear or excitement.
And the children gather and wonder
Children are gathering and wondering about what they are seeing.
Who's there who's there
People are questioning the identity of the beings they are seeing.
Fond of a night out in California
You enjoy spending evenings outside in California.
It's late an interruption in space
There is a disturbance or interruption in the night sky.
You smile could there be someone out there
You are hopeful and excited that there could be extraterrestrial life.
Suddenly the smile has been erased
Your hope and joy have been quickly replaced with sadness or disappointment.
The radio crackled voices
Voices on the radio are unclear and interrupted.
With obvious and used excuses
The voices on the radio are making excuses or justifications for what is happening.
Blue gas burning above flicks and cartoons
The night sky is filled with smoke and pollution from nearby sources like factories or cars.
Bumper stickers in preparation for tomorrow
People are already preparing for what may come tomorrow or in the future.
And the children gather and wonder
Children are still gathering and wondering about what is happening around them.
[Chorus]
This is the chorus of the song.
A million tiny bulbs exploding
Many light bulbs or stars are exploding or causing a commotion.
Out the theatre doors they're screaming
People are screaming as they run out of a theater or other public place.
Ushers pick up treasures
Those who work at the theaters or public places are gathering up items left behind by people in a hurry.
Little nervous men co-ordinance
Small men who are nervous and anxious are coordinating with one another.
Point at the moon
They are pointing at the moon or other celestial bodies in the sky.
And the children gather and wonder
Children are still gathering and wondering about the events happening around them.
[Chorus]
This is the chorus of the song.
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GREG CAMP, GREGORY D. CAMP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind