All Star (Song)

"All Star" is a song by the American rock band Smash Mouth from their second studio album, *Astro Lounge* (1999). Written by Greg Camp and produced by Eric Valentine, the song was released on May 4, 1999, as the first single from *Astro Lounge*. The song was one of the last tracks to be written for *Astro Lounge*, after the band's record label Interscope requested more songs that could be released as singles. In writing it, Camp drew musical influence from contemporary music by artists like Sugar Ray and Third Eye Blind, and sought out to create an "anthem" for outcasts. In contrast to the more ska punk style of Smash Mouth's debut album *Fush Yu Mang* (1997), the song features a more radio-friendly style.

The song received generally positive reviews from music critics, who praised its musical progression from *Fush Yu Mang* as well as its catchy tone. It was nominated for the Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals at the 42nd Grammy Awards. Subsequent reviews from critics have regarded "All Star" favorably, with some ranking it as one of the best songs of 1999. The song charted around the world, ranking in the top 10 of the charts in Australia, Canada, and on the *Billboard* Hot 100, while topping the *Billboard* Adult Top 40 and Mainstream Top 40 charts.

The song's accompanying music video features characters from the superhero film *Mystery Men* (1999), which itself prominently featured "All Star". The song became ubiquitous in popular culture following multiple appearances in films, most notably in the aforementioned *Mystery Men* and, later, the DreamWorks Animation film *Shrek* (2001). It received renewed popularity in the 2010s as an internet meme and has ranked as one of the most-streamed rock songs from 2017 to 2021 in the United States.

## 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 coming and they don't stop coming
* Fed to the rules and I hit the ground running
* 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 back streets?
* You'll never know if you don't 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 shooting 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 getting pretty thin
* The water's getting warm so you might as well swim
* My world's on fire, how about 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 shooting stars break the mold
* 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, "Yup" what a concept
* I could use a little fuel myself
* And we could all use a little change
* Well, the years start coming and they don't stop coming
* Fed to the rules and I hit the ground running
* 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 back streets?
* 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 shooting stars break the mold
* And all that glitters is gold
* Only shooting stars break the mold