SMASH MOUTH - ALL STAR

Released: May 4, 1999

Charted:  US: #4   UK: #24 

"All Star" is a song by the American rock band Smash Mouth, featured on their second studio album, Astro Lounge (1999). Penned by Greg Camp and produced by Eric Valentine, it was released on May 1999, as Astro Lounge's lead single. The track was crafted in response to Interscope's request for more singles, drawing influence from contemporary acts like Sugar Ray and Third Eye Blind. Camp aimed to create an anthem for outcasts, departing from Smash Mouth's ska punk roots for a more radio-friendly sound.

"All Star" was inspired by Smash Mouth's fanbase, particularly those who faced bullying or criticism for their interests. Greg Camp, the band's guitarist and songwriter, crafted the song as a form of daily affirmation for these fans. While on tour for their debut album, Fush Yu Mang, the band received numerous letters from fans expressing struggles with bullying and criticism. Camp drew from these experiences to create an uplifting anthem aimed at fostering self-confidence and resilience.

Greg Camp incorporated a voice sample from NASA's Apollo moon mission recordings, specifically the phrase "go for the moon," into "All Star." Camp created the song in his basement studio, using turntables to craft beats and scratches. Since the audio clips are in the public domain, Camp didn't have to pay to use them, as NASA has made many of these files available online.

While "All Star" shares its name with sports terminology and the band name Smash Mouth has football connotations, Greg Camp didn't write the song with sports in mind. Instead, the song serves as an anthem for anyone facing criticism or opposition while pursuing their goals, reflecting Camp's intention to uplift and inspire listeners in various endeavors.

Directed by McG, the music video features cameos by various actors portraying their characters from the superhero film "Mystery Men." The video includes appearances by William H. Macy, Ben Stiller, Hank Azaria, Paul Reubens, Kel Mitchell, Janeane Garofalo, Doug Jones, and Dane Cook. These appearances are primarily based on stock footage from the film, with body doubles portraying the characters in all other scenes. The video begins with the characters from "Mystery Men" seeking recruits, eventually expressing interest in Smash Mouth singer Steve Harwell. The rest of the video showcases Harwell performing various feats, such as rescuing a dog from a burning building and flipping over a toppled school bus, interspersed with scenes from "Mystery Men."