Nearly two decades after Smash Mouth released “All Star,” the song continues to resonate. For many, the upbeat track is simply a feel-good anthem, but a closer look at the lyrics suggests a deeper, perhaps more unsettling interpretation: climate change. Could this iconic “All Star Song” have been a subtle warning about environmental catastrophe all along?
All Star by VICE
It might sound far-fetched, but certain lines from the seemingly positive hit hint at global warming and ozone depletion. Two cryptic verses, in particular, stand out in this light:
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.
While some lines are more metaphorical than literal, the underlying theme appears to be undeniable. This interpretation isn’t isolated either. Online discussions, like a Reddit thread, echo this sentiment, proposing that “All Star” reflects “a man’s turn towards existentialism…after realizing the Earth’s inevitable destruction at the hands of global warming.” The song even touches upon past climate change discourse, referencing the “global cooling” theory, which was once used toQuestion the reality of global warming – a point cleverly countered by the line, “But the meteor men beg to differ…”
Initially, “All Star,” this seemingly motivational “all star song,” wasn’t intended to be so uplifting. Smash Mouth revealed earlier lyrics penned by guitarist Greg Camp, which ended a verse with the much darker line, “Wave bye bye to your soul,” instead of “shooting stars breaking the mold.”
To delve deeper into the meaning behind this “all star song,” an interview was conducted with Greg Camp himself. The conversation explored the environmental undertones, fan theories, and even Smash Mouth’s distinctive Twitter presence.
And surprisingly, the answer is yes – “All Star” is, in part, about climate change.
Motherboard: Let’s get straight to it. Is “All Star” about climate change?
Greg Camp, guitarist and songwriter for Smash Mouth: It’s not completely about climate change, but it does have elements, or a few lines in the lyrics, addressing a “hole” in the ozone layer and global warming.
The ozone layer issue was prominent in the 80s and 90s. When you wrote this “all star song” in 1999, did the ozone depletion concern influence the lyrics? Was there a nihilistic intent?
In the 90s, there was a surge of public awareness about various environmental theories. This led to stricter car emission regulations and activism against aerosols and other products perceived as harmful.
However, nihilism wasn’t the goal. The aim was to create a song of personal and collective self-affirmation. We were receiving a lot of fan mail from young people facing difficulties growing up, and we wanted to offer a message of hope. The overall tone of the song is more positive than cynical, though my lyrics often incorporate a touch of humor.
Smash Mouth has responded cryptically to a tweet asking if the “all star song” is pro-global warming. Any clarification on that?
I don’t recall the specific response, so no updates there. Climate change remains a controversial topic, with some still denying its existence.
Have you seen the fan theories about “All Star”? Some are quite elaborate, like the protagonist being pursued by government agents.
I’ll have to look into those Reddit theories. But I can assure any conspiracy theorists that hiding from Big Brother is impossible! Haha.
As a Californian, a state known for environmental awareness, is climate change a personal concern?
Like most people, I am concerned. My family and I make efforts to reduce our environmental impact. However, it’s also possible that ozone holes and water levels naturally fluctuate over centuries.
Even environmentally conscious companies contribute to pollution through factories. Could this be part of the planet’s natural cycle? While human impact is undeniable, even before industrialization, Los Angeles was known as the “Valley of Smokes” due to haze from natural fires.
Following recent elections, many artists expressed their political views. Does Smash Mouth align with any specific political ideology?
I can’t speak for every band member, but I believe we all desire a peaceful future for all nations. That sounds a bit like a pageant answer! [Laughter] But truly, I feel privileged to have a platform through music to speak out. I try to avoid being overly preachy, but artists have a responsibility to initiate conversations.
Let’s dissect some key verses of this “all star song.” Many interpret these lines as climate change references. Does “gets colder” relate to the “global cooling” theory, contrasting with warming? Are the “meteor men” meteorologists? And is the “hole in the satellite picture” the ozone hole?
It’s a cool place and they say it gets colder
You’re bundled up now but wait ’til you get older
But the meteor men beg to differ
Judging by the hole in the satellite picture
The line “It’s a cool place” is wordplay, referring to the world being “cool” in a positive sense, not temperature. It advises enjoying youth because life gets more challenging with age. And yes, “meteor men” represents scientists reporting on climate change from space, observing issues like the ozone hole visible in satellite imagery. The verse then shifts to a more optimistic tone, suggesting a “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade” approach.
The lines about ice and water seem clearly linked to climate change. Is that the intended meaning? Do the final verses reflect indifference to personal and global destruction, or perhaps a denial of climate change, embracing a world “on fire”?
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
Again, it’s wordplay, but the underlying sentiment is: life is short, explore the world, engage in action, be exceptional, and ignore negativity. While rooted in environmental anxieties of the time, the “all star song,” “All Star,” ultimately aims for a message of resilience and positivity.
Lastly, who manages Smash Mouth’s Twitter account?
It’s a collaborative effort involving all band members, overseen by management. The process can be quite lively and even heated at times.
