Photo: Ingelbert, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Our top 10 Smash Mouth songs list examines the great recordings and songs of a band out of San Jose California formed in the mid-1990s. The band had a great run at the end of the decade of the 90s into the early 2000s with multiple big-time hits that ranged from great original tunes and fabulous cover versions of songs that were already well known. Smash Mouth got a huge boost in their popularity by having many of their songs included in the Shrek series of movies. This helped gain the band an audience of younger kids and their parents who shrieked their kids to the movies and also watched those films over and over again on video hearing many Smash Mouth songs non-stop. Our top 10 Smash Mouth songs list takes a listen to some of the band’s best recordings and most memorable songs.
# 10 – Your Man
We open up our top 10 Smash Mouth Songs list with a video that features some incredibly beautiful women. There also seems to be a whole lot of cheating going on in this video. Somehow you get the feeling that at the end of the video, the lead singer is going to get the girl. Does he? Well, you will just have to watch the video to see what happens and while you are doing that, listen to a really good rock and roll pop tune that we thought would be a great one to open up our Smash Mouth songs with.
# 9 – Story of My Life
Continuing on with our Smash Mouth songs list we turn to the fabulous song “Story of My Life.” The song was released on the Smash Mouth album entitled Summer Girl. It was the third single released from the album. The song did well commercially hitting number 29 on the US Billboard adult contemporary charts. The song also made an appearance in the third Shrek Film entitled Shrek the Third.
# 8 – Waste
In the number eight spot on our Smash Mouth songs list we present the song entitled “Waste.” The song was released on the band’s breakout album entitled Astro Lounge. The song “Waste,” was released as the album’s fourth single. This one was a slow acoustic number that served as a nice change to the band’s very upbeat and rocking singles that they had already released from the album.
# 7 – Pacific Coast Party
This one starts out with a melody and groove that sounds like a cross between Barry White’s “Love Theme,” and the “Theme from Love Boat.” However, after a few measures, the song sinks into the traditional and fun Smash Mouth rhythm and groove. The song “Pacific Coast Party,” was released on the band’s 2001 album entitled Smash Mouth. The song was released as the third single from the album. While it failed to break onto the Billboard Hot 100, it did make a dent on the Billboard Adult Contemporary charts peaking at number 23.
# 6 – Then the Morning Comes
At the number six position on our Smash Mouth songs list we take a listen to the great Smash Mouth track entitled “Then the Morning Comes. The song was released in the fall of 1999 on the band’s immensely successful album entitled Astro Lounge. The song “Then the Morning Comes” was released as the second single from the record. It would prove to be a big hit for the group as it broke into the Billboard Hot 100 peaking at number eleven on that very important music chart. The song also was a huge success in Canada where it hit number two on the Canadian music charts.
# 5 – Can’t Get Enough of You Baby
At the halfway point on our Smash Mouth songs list we once again turn to their brilliant album entitled Astro Lounge. The song “Can’t Get Enough of You Baby” was released as the album’s lead single. This is not a Smash Mouth original as it was a cover song written by Denny Randall and Sandy Linzer. The song first appeared on the soundtrack to the motion picture Can’t Hardly Wait. However. many years before Smash Mouth recorded the song for their Astro Lounge album it was recorded by the legendary band Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons in 1966.
# 4 – I’m a Believer
Well we all know this one. This legendary song entitled “I’m a Believer,” was originally written by the great Neil Diamond in the 1960s. The song was turned into a big-time hit by The Monkees in 1966. It’s one of those songs that has been widely covered by many people. However, Smash Mouth had another big time hit with it when they released it on their third album entitled Smash Mouth in 2001. Nonetheless, it was the inclusion of the song on the soundtrack to the animated film Shrek that really turned this song into a green monster hit as the song found a new audience of younger people who may have never heard the song before.
# 3 – Why Can’t We Be Friends?
The next three songs on this Smash Mouth songs list were easily three of the band’s biggest hits of their career. In the number three position is the band’s great cover version of the 1970s War classic entitled “Why Can’t We Be Friends.” Smash Mouth really did a great job on this tune updating the song and adding a little bit of modern fuel to the tune.
# 2 – All Star
In the number two spot on our top 10 Smash Mouth songs list is the band’s most successful hit single release of their career. The song “All Star” was the bands only top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. The song reached all the way up to the number four spot on the legendary Billboard Hot 100 music charts. The band scored incredibly high on the US billboard Adult Contemporary charts hitting number 1 with the song “All Star.” The single sold over three million copies in the United States making it their biggest selling single of their career. The song “All Star,” was released as the second single on the band’s 1999 album Astro Lounge.
# 1 – Walkin’ on the Sun
In the number one spot on our Smash Mouth songs list is the band’s great original song entitled “Walkin’ on the Sun.” The song was written by Smash Mouth guitarist and songwriter Greg Camp. While this song may not have been as big as a hit as “All-Star,” was, it definitely is our favorite Smash Mouth song of all time. The song was also the band’s debut single that wound up hitting number one on both the US Billboard Adult Contemporary charts and Alternative AirPlay charts. What a way to begin!
UPDATED September 4, 2023
Top 10 Smash Mouth Songs article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2023
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![Rob De Luca of Spread Eagle, Sebastian Bach & UFO: 10 Albums That Changed My Life From humble East Coast origins to grandest stages worldwide, veteran bassist Rob De Luca has seen and done it all. De Luca first hit the local Boston rock and metal scene in the late 80s after meeting guitarist Paul DiBartolo, bonding over Van Halen before forming Bang. Regional success came quickly, but eventually, the members of Bang went their separate ways, with De Luca and drummer Tommi Gallo heading to NYC and hooking up with Ray West and, later, DiBartolo to form Spread Eagle. By 1990, Spread Eagle was on the fast track, with a contract through MCA Records and a self-titled debut album poised to crush skulls. But poor timing and MCA's sad indifference left Spead Eagle out in the cold despite being a hard-boiled answer to Guns N' Roses's West Coast sleaze. Spread Eagle's first chapter came to an end in '95. As for Rob De Luca, his nimble fingers and gift for melody and songwriting kept him moving forward. Soon, he found a gig with former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach and the legendary outfit UFO. And in 2010, after coupling up with Ray West and his cousin Rik De Luca, Spread Eagle retook flight. During a break from Spread Eagle's increasingly busy touring schedule, Rob De Luca dialed in with ClassicRockHistory.com to run through the ten albums that changed his life. But only after adding, "I made a playlist of these songs, including some I've written or co-written. Do you hear any of these albums' influence on me?" Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3LWJuhDrE8JmzhsmTeIDUq 10) Gentlemen by Afghan Whigs (1993) Here's an entry that was so important to me. This may be the darkest break-up album of all time. Greg Dulli has been in many projects, but I feel Gentlemen is his zenith. Somewhat undefinable at times but always profound and honest. Listen to "Gentlemen," "Fountain and Fairfax," and "What Jail Is Like." 9) In on the Kill Taker by Fugazi (1993) By this time, I had been sucked in and spit out by the major-label record industry. Glam came and went; grunge was history, too. I was searching for new sounds. When I heard Fugazi's twin guitar approach, I knew this was what was missing. Fugazi may be considered a less polished sound than the albums above; however, once you "get it," it hits you like a ton of bricks, and there's no going back. From the moment I heard Fugazi, I went to every NYC show after. It's easily some of the best concerts of my life, and possibly my favorite bassist in Joe Lally. And their DIY ethics refused to charge us more than $5 a show! In on the Kill Taker is a powerful album demonstrated in songs such as "Smallpox Champion," "Great Cop," and "Public Witness Program." 8) Appetite for Destruction by Guns N' Roses (1987) I discovered many of these albums (sometimes long) after they were released. However, I was at the right place at the right time for this one. Steve Ostromogilsky had a Berklee College of Music lunch card and used to sneak out sandwiches for me. One day, he invited me to hang out at his place and listen to music. As we got off the train, he put Sony Walkman headphones on my ears and said, "Hey, check out this brand-new group." A song like "It's So Easy" was so different from the popular Sunset Strip sound at that time. Me and about 499 other informed rockers were lucky enough to see them on their first East Coast tour at the sold-out Paradise on Commonwealth Avenue, Boston (the same street Aerosmith started on). I saw Gn'R every tour after until I took a break when Buckethead joined. Gn'R is the band I've been lucky enough to see the most times live, almost 100! Everyone on this album is just stellar. Axl [Rose] had the tones, power, melodic sensibilities, and foresight to do what no other singer did then. Slash's playing was beyond memorable. Duff [McKagan] is one of the most underrated bassists in rock history, and learning his Appetite basslines is a masterclass. Steven [Adler] had the natural swing, and Izzy [Stradlin] was the secret weapon songwriter. Everything that's been heralded about this gem is deserved and true. Check out "It's So Easy," "Out Ta Get Me," and "Mr. Brownstone.' 7) Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd (1975) Another contender for my favorite album and band of all time. Using The Beatles machine (same recording studio, engineer, record label), Pink Floyd made what I feel is their strongest, most cohesive album (my second favorite of theirs would be Animals). This list mainly consists of bands with an instantly recognizable sound. Floyd is certainly no exception to that! This album included a solid handful of undeniable rock radio classics, bookended by two halves of the mind-blowing song "Shine on You Crazy Diamond.' That song was written about former band member and founder Syd Barrett. It would be hard to live in a world without this album. Check out "Welcome to The Machine," "Shine on You Crazy Diamond (parts 6-9),' or even better yet, listen to the whole thing in one sitting! 6) Decade by Neil Young (1977) About this time, I started playing guitar. As a beginner, it was comfortable jamming to this album because the chord changes were simple—a great "first ten years" retrospective of Neil's stunning, unique songwriting. Neil is a treasure who always writes from the heart and stands up for what's right. Check out "Southern Man," "A Man Needs a Maid," "Down by The River," and "After the Goldrush." 5) Highway to Hell by AC/DC (1979) When I heard this album, I was firmly "me." My life would be 100% focused on hard rock music forever. AC/DC are like air; they're ubiquitous. Everyone knows them and their incredible songs. However, as a young teen in Wilmington, Delaware, I only had WMMR 93.3 FM Philadelphia and a few friends to inform me about the world of Rock outside my bedroom. AC/DC had not gone mainstream, and their albums were available primarily in the USA as imports. To put things more in perspective, I only knew two people in the world who had heard of AC/DC. A friend had an import that we played in Steve Buckley's basement, which sounded ripping. When Highway to Hell was released, WMMR started spinning the title track, and I immediately bought the album, listening to it every single day after school. Then WMMR announced AC/DC was coming to the Spectrum in Philly, supporting Ted Nugent! I liked Ted but loved AC/DC, so my good friend Mick Cummins and I bought tickets, and he drove us up to the Spectrum (where we saw most of our concerts). Bon Scott was in fine form, and the band went over great. Although the crowd knew Ted better, Angus [Young] wouldn't let anyone upstage him. I'll never forget it! Unfortunately, Bon would be gone in 6 months. Check out "Walk All Over You," "Touch Too Much," "Shot Down in Flames," and "If You Want Blood (You Got It)." 4) Toys in the Attic by Aerosmith (1975) By the time I heard this, I was now in my teens. I had a childhood friend up the street, Jim Linberg (we're still good buddies). His older sister had a great album collection, including Toys in The Attic. Once I heard that groove, my taste changed. I lost interest in rock music that didn't have some sort of "swing" feel to it. I think Rocks is a slightly better Aerosmith album (and possibly my favorite album of all time), but both are perfect or very close. Check out "Uncle Salty," "Adam's Apple," "No More No More," "Round and Round," and "You See Me Crying." 3) Alive! by Kiss (1975) When I was still a little kid, I asked for Cheech and Chong's Up in Smoke album for Christmas. The entire family came over for an enormous feast, and I dropped the needle. When my mother heard the content, she turned off the album and said I had to exchange it. My mom was cool, but I was young and knew much more about life than she suspected. Anyway, the next day, she drove me back to the store. In the music section, promoted on an "endcap" was a Kiss Alive! display. I had never heard of Kiss, but that cover picture told me I had to have it! My first foray into hard rock. Check out “Strutter.” I went through my Kiss phase very quickly, I believe in a matter of months because I discovered the previous entry, Aerosmith's Toys in the Attic. 2) Honky Chateau by Elton John (1972) When I was a wee lad, my parents bought a used Volkswagen camper van from my uncle Ozzie. My favorite Elton John album is Yellow Brick Road, but Honky Chateau is great and easily one of his best. It sent me down a lifelong rabbit hole of loving everything about the 1970s partnership between Elton and lyricist Bernie Taupin. The simple beauty of voice, the master songwriting, the perfect backing band, the clear, unobtrusive recordings, and always Bernie's incredible lyrics. The day this album was released, Elton became an unstoppable force that conquered the music industry. Check out "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" and "Rocket Man." 1) Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles (1967) Another tape that was included in the VW Camper. The van had a bunch of music tapes, and one was Sgt Pepper. I was too young to understand the sophistication of the music, but that was one of the many skills of The Beatles. They attracted listeners at every level, even little kids. I still feel that immediate connection to Sgt Pepper; now, I hear so much more. It's an album that changed the world and the world of music. Check out "Lucy in The Sky with Diamonds," "A Day In The Life," and "Fixing a Hole."](http://www.classicrockhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Shutterstock_1815495569-1-300x200.jpg)
