Release Date: May 4, 1999

Label: Interscope Records

Format: CD Single / 7-inch Vinyl

Album: Astro Lounge (Track 5)

Track Info

Written by lead guitarist Greg Camp and produced by Eric Valentine, “All Star” was actually a last-minute addition to Smash Mouth’s sophomore album, Astro Lounge. Following structural feedback from Interscope Records executives who felt the record lacked a definitive radio-ready lead single, Camp penned the track overnight.

Recorded at H.O.S. Studios in Redwood City, California, the track’s signature opening layer—a sharp vocal count-in over a crisp acoustic guitar strum—became instantly recognizable across worldwide radio waves within weeks.

RELATED: [THE FILES] 145: Smash Mouth – ‘I’m a Believer’ (2001)

The Track Success

• The Superhero Debut: “All Star” was originally selected as the primary promotional single for the 1999 superhero comedy film Mystery Men.
• The Soundtrack Compilations: Due to its massive crossover appeal, the track was packaged onto the highly influential Now That’s What I Call Music! 3 US compilation in the winter of 1999.
• The Millennium Pop Milestone: Beyond its initial 1999 run, the track’s inclusion in the opening minutes of DreamWorks’ 2001 animated classic Shrek.

The Charts

• US Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #4 (August 14, 1999)
• Radio Dominance: Clinched the #1 spot on both the Billboard Mainstream Top 40 and Adult Top 40 charts during the summer of 1999.

Lyrics

Somebody once told me the world is gonna roll me
I ain’t the sharpest tool in the shed
She was looking kind of dumb with her finger and her thumb
In the shape of an “L” on her forehead

Well, the years start comin’ and they don’t stop comin’
Fed to the rules and I hit the ground runnin’
Didn’t make sense not to live for fun
Your brain gets smart, but your head gets dumb
So much to do, so much to see
So, what’s wrong with taking the backstreets?
You’ll never know if you don’t go (go)
You’ll never shine if you don’t glow

Hey now, you’re an all-star
Get your game on, go play
Hey now, you’re a rock star
Get the show on, get paid
(And all that glitters is gold)
Only shootin’ stars break the mold

It’s a cool place, and they say it gets colder
You’re bundled up now, wait ’til you get older
But the meteor men beg to differ
Judging by the hole in the satellite picture
The ice we skate is gettin’ pretty thin
The water’s gettin’ warm, so you might as well swim
My world’s on fire, how ’bout yours?
That’s the way I like it, and I’ll never get bored

Hey now, you’re an all-star
Get your game on, go play
Hey now, you’re a rock star
Get the show on, get paid
(All that glitters is gold)
Only shootin’ stars break the mold

Go for the moon
(Go, go, go) go for the moon
(Go, go, go) go for the moon
Go (go), go for the moon

Hey now, you’re an all-star
Get your game on, go play
Hey now, you’re a rock star
Get the show on, get paid
(And all that glitters is gold)
Only shooting stars

Somebody once asked, “Could I spare some change for gas?
I need to get myself away from this place”
I said, “Yep, what a concept, I could use a little fuel myself
And we could all use a little change”

Well, the years start comin’ and they don’t stop comin’
Fed to the rules and I hit the ground runnin’
Didn’t make sense not to live for fun
Your brain gets smart, but your head gets dumb
So much to do, so much to see
So, what’s wrong with taking the backstreets?
You’ll never know if you don’t go (go!)
You’ll never shine if you don’t glow

Hey now, you’re an all-star
Get your game on, go play
Hey now, you’re a rock star
Get the show on, get paid
(And all that glitters is gold)
Only shootin’ stars break the mold

Only shootin’ stars break the mold
Go for the moon
Go for the moon
Go for the moon
This is how we do it

Featured Photo: Interscope Records

RELATED: [THE FILES] 173 : Blu Cantrell: “Hit ‘Em Up Style (Oops!)” (2001)

Author Bio

Jael Rucker is the founder of Decked Out Magazine. She has previously worked as the Associate Commerce Editor at PureWow, focusing on analytics and trends to pitch stories and optimize articles that build and engage their audience. Her work has also been seen in Footwear News and WWD. Prior to 2024, she was the style and pop culture editor at ONE37pm for over three years, contributing numerous product reviews, brand profiles and fashion trend reports, which included interviewing Steph Curry, Snoop Dogg and more.