Top 10 Smash Mouth Songs
#10: “Come On Come On” (2001)
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Astro Lounge Can you listen to the opening seconds of this song without jumping to your feet? This instantly upbeat tempo mixes finger-flying keyboards with supercharged drumming in classic Smash Mouth-style. If you haven’t already heard this explosive chorus, you’ve likely not been acquainted with “Deuce Bigalow”, “Dude, Where’s My Car?”, or the multiple other movie and TV appearances that it’s made. Like many Smash Mouth tracks, this one lyrically differs from the positivity that its sound implies. Its passive narrator seems to be casually observant and unsure of both the world around him and his appropriate place in it. But even if you don’t want to think too hard about the meaning, you can still rock out to this banger at your summertime beach party.
#9: “Your Man” (2001)
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Smash Mouth You might not associate Smash Mouth with a touching love song. But with some delicate palm-muted power chords and a mellow softness in Steve Harwell’s voice, they can give you just that. “Your Man”'s flawed raconteur sings about the happy perplexity that comes with being with a woman who he doesn’t deserve. It paints a simple picture of romance, but one that feels honest and personal. Like the ballad’s content, Harwell’s vocal performance is subdued and sincere. It’s easy listening that nestles in our eardrums as cozily as the story’s protagonists amorously fit with one another. By mild contrast, the music video may not end happily. But as Smash Mouth fans know, the band loves to pepper their music with some delightful juxtapositional surprises.
#8: “Hang On” (2003)
Eric Fernandez - Hang Ups
Get the Picture? Life is hard, man. Sometimes, you’ve just gotta dance your way through it. This optimistic number off of Smash Mouth’s fourth album confronts the world’s worries with a catchy melody and a reliable chord progression. “Hang On” encourages listeners to persevere through the trials of the responsible world, and to do so with a smile. The effectively lovely repetition is pop music at its most refined, and the accompanying video might be the best thing to come out of the live-action “Cat in the Hat”. This is one of Smash Mouth’s best showcases of their ability to instantly cheer up listeners, and the hopeful message is just another reason we’ll miss Steve Harwell’s positivity.
#7: “Pacific Coast Party” (2001)
Smash Mouth Writing a great party song can be the gateway to immortality. Just ask Jimmy Buffett, Kiss…and even LMFAO. Harwell and the gang tried their hand with “Pacific Coast Party”, a celebration of the beach party and the chill west coast lifestyle. It’s not a lyrically or melodically complicated piece by any means, but it’s catchy enough to do the job. You wouldn’t think that a classical string arrangement would compliment a clean electric guitar so well, but somehow it creates the sensation that we’re just floating on waves. The hit could be heard from many-a boombox in the early 2000s, and it even made its way into “Not Another Teen Movie” and “Disney’s Extreme Skate Adventure”. No discussion of Smash Mouth’s best is complete without this one.
#6: “Waste” (1999)
Astro Lounge Uncharacteristically melancholy for their style, “Waste” is the result of Smash Mouth strumming the acoustic guitar and turning to their sensitive side. The track is a steadily building reflection on the painful end of a loving relationship, as its narrator grapples with all the regret that comes with it. Written by guitarist Greg Camp about his marriage troubles while traveling, “Waste” is heartfelt, emotionally raw, and real…and that’s all supported by Steve Harwell’s unique and skillful singing voice. It’s proof of Smash Mouth’s understated range as artists, and it’s a great listen for those who only know the band’s radio hits.
#5: “Why Can’t We Be Friends?” (1997)
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Fush Yu Mang Like many of the greats in rock and roll history, Smash Mouth’s style came from listening to artists they loved. Their roots include psychedelic rock, ska, R & B, and funk, so they turned to “Why Can’t We Be Friends”, by the funk band War, when they wanted to do a cover song. Their version stays true to the original by featuring a horn section, a beat reminiscent of reggae, and a political message of harmonious equality. It turns up the tempo, however, making it something of a swing number. Throw in some mild guitar distortion at the two-minute mark, and you’ve got quite an amalgamation of styles. It shows they can pay tribute to a classic track, while making it their own: something we’ll see again a little later.
#4: “Then the Morning Comes” (1999)
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Astro Lounge As a follow-up single to their biggest hit, “Then the Morning Comes” staked claim on the Billboard Hot 100, and it still holds up today. Guitarist Greg Camp was inspired by “Groundhog Day” and the endlessly repetitive lifestyle of being on tour, so he composed the song about the recurring cycle of performing and partying. Each piece of this recording could stand on its own as an unforgettable hook: the verse, the chorus, and that rockin’ bridge! Pretty much all of the Astro Lounge album is a stellar lineup, but the melodic nuances of “Then the Morning Comes” impressively make it one of the most notable. Once again, check out the accompanying video for some uniquely appropriate Smash-Mouth-ian antics.
#3: “I’m a Believer” (2001)
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Smash Mouth “Shrek” fans, to your places! You might associate this with the ornery green ogre, or perhaps with The Monkees and their 1966 recording. You might further know that the song was originally penned by Neil Diamond, but Smash Mouth’s take might now be the most widely known version. While the happy enthusiasm of love-at-first-sight remains the theme, the boys add their signature combo of keyboards and guitar to inflict the track with revitalized energy. The instrumental tone sounds like we’re surfing in the 60s, but with a modern twist. This version climbed international charts in New Zealand, Spain, and Australia, and time seems to have only flowered its popularity. It’s one of the best (and almost most popular) songs in Smash Mouth’s repertoire.
#2: “Walkin’ On the Sun” (1997)
Fush Yu Mang Perhaps there were bigger hits, but there are few as well-respected as “Walkin’ On the Sun”. Even those who aren’t fans of Smash Mouth will cite this as the group’s strongest song, and it served as their superbly successful debut single. As they love to do, Smash Mouth juxtaposes a joyful sound with heavy and serious content, with its lyrics highlighting frustrations about social injustice. But even if you’re contemplating the big ideas, it’s impossible to do so without bobbing your head. There are hints of rap, ska, and funk, all mixed with just the right level of rasp in Harwell’s voice. So don’t delay! Act now! And rock out to this modern classic. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “Everyday Superhero” (2001), Summer Girl A Rousing Get-Out-of-Bed & Conquer-the-World Anthem! “Can’t Get Enough of You Baby” (1999), Astro Lounge Another Great Cover, Just as Popular as the Original “Story of My Life” (2006), Summer Girl Not the Social Distortion One, But Just as Good “Keep It Down” (2001), Smash Mouth Proof That They Love to Experiment With Their Sound “You Are My Number One” (2003), Get the Picture? They Sure Know How to ROCK a Reggae Love Ballad
#1: “All Star” (1999)
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Astro Lounge Was there ever doubt? Smash Mouth’s “All Star” was a pop cultural phenomenon in its time. Love it or hate it, its presence amongst your eardrums was inevitable in 1999. It also charted globally and got the group nominated for a “Best Pop Performance” Grammy, but no big deal. Accolades aside, the song itself has an exhilarating beat, rousing rapid-fire lyrics, and an immediately uplifting sound. While you might think it’s superficially about fame, listening closely might suggest to you a different message: that success is actually a state of mind. We’re all capable of becoming superstars in the frame of our own lives, as defining greatness is a matter of individual perspective. But if you’re just listening casually, rock on! This one broke the mold.
