Top 10 Smash Mouth Songs

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 formed in San Jose, California, in 1994. Don’t you just love Smash Mouth? These guys have always been a lot of fun. The band’s early years were characterized by a fusion of ska punk and garage rock, which later transitioned into more of a pop rock and alternative rock style. Known for their playful, upbeat music and distinctive vocal style, Smash Mouth quickly rose to fame in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The group’s history is marked by its mainstream success, internal changes, and the iconic status of several of their hits.

The band was originally formed by Steve Harwell (vocals), Kevin Coleman (drums), Greg Camp (guitar), and Paul De Lisle (bass). Smash Mouth’s major-label debut, Fush Yu Mang, released in 1997, was a significant commercial success, largely due to the hit single Walkin’ on the Sun. The album’s unique blend of retro influences and modern rock appealed to a wide audience, establishing the band as a noteworthy presence in the music industry.

Their follow-up album, Astro Lounge in 1999, marked a stylistic shift with a more polished and radio-friendly sound. The album spawned the single “All Star,” which became a massive hit and is often considered the band’s signature song. “All Star” has since permeated popular culture, featuring in numerous movies, memes, and internet culture, thereby cementing its place in 2000s nostalgia. “Astro Lounge” itself was a critical and commercial success, showcasing the band’s ability to evolve and expand their musical style.

Despite the overwhelming success of Astro Lounge, subsequent albums, such as Smash Mouth (2001) and Get the Picture? (2003), received a more mixed reception and did not achieve the same level of commercial success. However, the band continued to be known for their energetic live performances and maintained a dedicated fan base. Their sound during this period continued to explore various styles, including pop, rock, and occasional forays into electronic and dance music.

Over the years, Smash Mouth underwent several lineup changes, particularly with the position of the drummer, while Harwell, Camp, and De Lisle remained as core members for many years. The band’s later albums, including “Summer Girl” (2006), “Magic” (2012), and “Playlist: The Very Best of Smash Mouth” (2016), have not replicated the early success but are still celebrated by loyal fans.

Internal challenges, including Harwell’s health issues and changes in the band’s lineup, have impacted Smash Mouth’s continuity and public image. Despite these challenges, the band’s legacy in the late ’90s and early 2000s pop culture remains significant. Their style, often featuring catchy hooks, humorous and relatable lyrics, and a fusion of various musical influences, has left a lasting imprint on the era’s music scene.

In recent years, Smash Mouth continues to perform, although with different members and a fluctuating lineup. The band’s influence extends beyond just their music; “All Star” in particular has become an anthem of sorts, often associated with a sense of irony and nostalgia that characterizes much of the late ’90s and early 2000s cultural resurgence. Smash Mouth’s journey from a garage band in San Jose to international stardom, followed by their perseverance through various challenges, paints a picture of a band that, despite the vicissitudes of fame, left an indelible mark on the music and culture of their time.

# 10 – Your Man

“Your Man” is a song from Smash Mouth’s self-titled album, Smash Mouth, which was released in 2001. The album signifies the band’s third studio endeavor and was produced by Eric Valentine, who was known for his extensive work in the industry, including his contributions to Smash Mouth’s previous albums. Eric Valentine’s production style is characterized by a polished, vibrant sound that was instrumental in shaping the band’s mainstream appeal. We love the driving opening beat of this song that sets up all the fun,

The recording of Smash Mouth primarily took place in Interscope Studios. The album’s creation involved the band’s staple members: Steve Harwell on lead vocals, Paul De Lisle on bass, Greg Camp handling the guitar work, and Michael Urbano on drums, following the original drummer’s departure.

While “Your Man” was not released as a single and thus did not receive the same level of individual attention or commercial comparison as some of the band’s major hits, we still really did it.

# 9 – Story of My Life

Continuing 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 twenty nine on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary Charts. The song also appeared in the third Shrek Film entitled Shrek the Third. We love how the opening keyboard sets up the hard-hitting groove that explodes within a few seconds of the song’s start. Like all Smash Mouth songs, this one contains a killer chorus.

# 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 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 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 Astro Lounge album. The song “Then the Morning Comes” was released as the second single from the record. It would become 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 was also a massive success in Canada, hitting number two on the Canadian music charts.

# 5 – Can’t Get Enough of You Baby

At the halfway mark on our Smash Mouth songs list, we again turn to their brilliant album 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 Can’t Hardly Wait motion picture. 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, “I’m a Believer,” was initially 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 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, the song’s inclusion on the soundtrack to the animated film Shrek 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 following three songs on this Smash Mouth songs list were three of the band’s biggest hits of their career. In the number three position is the band’s excellent cover version of the 1970s War classic entitled “Why Can’t We Be Friends.” Smash Mouth did a great job on this tune. Smash Mouth’s rendition brought the song into the late 1990s context, infusing it with their characteristic pop-rock sound and energetic vibe. You have to love this fun video.

# 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 band’s only top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. The song reached number four on the 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 the 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.” Smash Mouth guitarist and songwriter Greg Camp wrote the song. While this song may not have been as big 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 and hit number one on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary Charts and Alternative AirPlay charts. What a way to begin!