Somebody once told me the world was gonna roll me… and apparently, the world had a soundtrack ready for it.
This morning’s 6:30 Clock Radio Classic comes from the band that somehow managed to turn a song about being an underachiever, a rock star, a shooting star, and a little bit of everything in between into one of the most ridiculously catchy songs of the late ’90s.
It’s “All Star” by Smash Mouth—the song that became so deeply embedded in pop culture that you could probably hum the first three notes and have half the room immediately yell, “Somebody once told me…”
Released in 1999, “All Star” became a massive hit for Smash Mouth and eventually found an unexpected second life thanks to movies, television, commercials, memes and, of course, a certain green ogre named Shrek. At this point, the song isn’t just a hit—it’s practically a cultural emergency broadcast.
But behind that unmistakable voice was Steve Harwell, the longtime frontman of Smash Mouth.
Harwell retired from performing with the band in 2021 after years of health problems, including heart failure and neurological issues that affected his speech and memory. He died three years ago at the age of 56 at his home in Boise, Idaho, surrounded by family and friends. His manager, Robert Hayes, told Rolling Stone that Harwell had been receiving hospice care in the final stages of liver failure.
It’s a sad reminder that even the songs that make us laugh, dance, sing badly in the car and quote animated movies can have a real human story behind them.
So this morning, crank it up for Steve Harwell and Smash Mouth.
Because whether you’re feeling like a rock star, a little bit of a mess, or just someone who desperately needs coffee at 6:30 in the morning…
And if nothing else, remember the timeless wisdom of “All Star”:
The world ain’t gonna stop spinning just because you’re having a Monday on a Thursday!
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