I Hate 'all Star'!!

[MyFootsZZZ]

This song's now corny, the band can fucking blow me,
It's not just over-played it, it's not de-ad.

It didn't sound so dumb when-they released the al-bum, but it became too fuck-ing widespread!

NOW, my ears start numbing, cuz' the-tune’s rerunning,
hacks and tools’, Smash Mouth’s becoming.

It kinda made sense, at first it was fu-un
It climbed the carts, but soon it got du-umb.

SO much, it blew. So much, it reeked!
Man this song's WAY beyond "peaked"!

Now this band fucking blow, 'cause they're all radio hoes!

Hey now, this is too far, this song plays all-day.
Hey, NOW you're a rock star, I hope the popularity fa-des!

Now that-you've blown your lo-ad.
Will you leave this so-ng dead and co-oo-old!?

-All Star-

I have heard this song in AT LEAST four movie: A pokemon-like movie for kids, Shrek, Rat Race, and Mystery Men.

I've heard it on AT LEAST three TV commercials, (probably more): I think a Nike add celebrating the US women's soccer team, some children's commercial, and a recent tostitos (I think) commercial with Jay Leno. Not to mention the thee TV commercials I've heard "Walking on the Sun", also an overplayed Smash Mouth song ('Wag The Dog' ad, a car ad, and some other one I can't remember now). “All Star” has only been out for 4 FUCKING years or so!!

I've heard it on radio commercials. I hear it PLAYED on the radio ALL the time! EVEN ON THE OLDIES STATION. I hear it when I'm in the mall, I hear it in the grocery store, I heard it at my dentists today.

E-FUCKING-nough! THAT'S IT! I HATE SMASH MOUTH, I HATE THEM, I HATE THEM, I HATE THEM!

I DO change the channel when it comes on the radio... but I JUST CAN’T AVOID IT!

[bluecanary]

Sorry, but a pit thread this cool cannot be left with 0 replies!

(Even though, here in Britain, I haven't heard that song in about a year. 'How You Remind Me', OTOH, is another story altogether)

[E-Sabbath]

I still like it, darn it.

[BrightEyes]

Kinda reminds me of chumbawumba with 'tubthumping' except for less amount of time.

[PhiloVance]

[total hyjak]

I love Chariots of Fire




Now that was a cool tune.

_{but then they didn't use it everywhere}

[/total hyjak]

[Smeghead]

You know, I liked Smash Mouth before this song. I even like this song for a while. But you're right. They've beaten it way past being a dead horse, to the point that it's now just a vaguely-horse-shaped grease spot on the driveway. And now I hate them.

[MyFootsZZZ]

I was kind of worried for a second that no one would relpy, thanks bluecanary!

I mean it took me forever to come up with that little song there. I was just blowing off steam. I know the band has good reason, (money and ass), to allow their song to be played all the time.

I just had to vent. Thank You.

[RTFirefly]

Hey, it isn't Smashmouth's fault that we've got a corporately-controlled music industry that would rather overplay a relative handful of songs than open the door to hundreds of bands out there that are every bit as good as the few dozen that your favorite format plays.

Rage against the corporate machine, not against its pawns. Sheesh.

[Typo Negative]

Originally posted by BrightEyes
Kinda reminds me of chumbawumba with 'tubthumping' except for less amount of time.

[Homer Simpson]

I take a whiskey drink,
I take a chocolate drink,
and if I have to pee
I'll use the kitchen sink..

[/Homer Simpson]

[DoctorJ]

This song has always sounded to me like Smash Mouth sat down and said, "Let's write a song that will be played in ballparks, movies, and commercials unrelentingly for at least the next decade." It's actually a smart move, money-wise; I'm sure they're pushing the royalties around with bulldozers.

However, I hated the song the first time, and it has not improved with age.

[EhhMon]

Awwwwwwwww, I love that song, its even bad-ass when done in Karaoke Style.

How do I know, cause I'm a bad-ass when I sing it.

(helps when your drunk)

[MyFootsZZZ]

I know, I know... I really DO understand both the motives of the bands, and the fact that it's not even NEAR entirely their 'fault' the song is grossly overplayed. That's why I posted the second post.

I was just getting out my frustrations. I in fact would be interested if Smash Mouth came out with something, um... 'NEW'. I don't "hate" them as I claimed. We're just not speaking with each other right now, you know? Smash and I.

All shall be forgiven. If Smash just says they're sorry, and lets me spend more time with my friends without worrying so much about other groups hitting on me, I would take them back. They would also have to clip their toenails more often. AND DON'T GET ME STARTED ABOUT THE STAINS IN THEIR UNDERWEAR! I mean, would it KILL them to take the extra, --what--, '2 seconds' out of their "busy", money sucking, lives to stay a little bit more 'tidy'!? I mean, what's the rush!? It's not as if they're making any new music! And I keep telling them that twenty dollar bills just AREN'T as absorbent as REAL toilet paper! And the lead singer alwa--

--Ok, I'm giving out too much info.

Bottom line, I drove over the edge when I went to the dentist and heard it, then came home to hear it on that new commercial. I just had to get it out.

[Polycarp]

I think this thread demonstrates the dire need for the "Smashie" smiley!

[Muad'Dib]

I once saw an interview with Smashmouth in which they said they said that they intentionaly wrote this song with Nike commercials in mind.

You are hearing it a lot because that is what it was made for.

[MyFootsZZZ]

I thought it was made for/ first attributed to the movie "Mystery Men, I could have sworn I saw the song's connection to "Mystery Men" quite a while before I saw it's connection for the Nike commercial. I'm not 100% sure about that, however. Plus, I'm not sure how long they planned the Nike ad before it aired. I DO know the FIST video of the song had cameos for the movie MM.

I was totally digging the song when it fist came out. I also liked the way they used if for the soccer team (not so MUCH for Nike). I think that was the best Nike ad I've seen because women's sports were so often ignored. I LOST all respect for Nike after their "It's a woman's world" ads, which I thought were kinda sexist. I AM, however, an over sensitive, whiny, little complainer when it comes to the media's portrayal of the sexes. This is all off topic though.

[Snooooopy]

"Walking On The Sun" was also used in commercials to promote the late, lamented FOX show "Firefly." I rolled my eyes when I heard it used in this way -- I don't hate the song, but it just didn't sound like it was the right choice. It seemed very hey-let's-pick-a-catchy-song-at-random.

Yes, "Firefly" fans, there WERE commercials for the show ... like, oh, two or something.

[ElwoodCuse]

The really sad thing about Smash Mouth is the stuff on their first album that never got played on the radio was kick ass. Becoming popular isn't selling out. Completely changing your style to become more marketable is selling out. That's exactly what Smash Mouth did.

[RTFirefly]

Originally posted by Snooooopy
Yes, "Firefly" fans, there WERE commercials for the show ... like, oh, two or something.

Actually, I remember seeing a bunch of them during the MLB playoffs. But it's not like SF and baseball go together like a Trekkie and a sci-fi con.

Isn't "Walking on the Sun" also used in a SUV commercial, or is my memory playing tricks on me here? (I don't watch that much TV.)

[Khadro]

And here was me, thinking this was a rant against The Snorks. I was about ready to jump in here and defend them.

I am sick of the song too, FWIW.

[chorizo]

Originally posted by RTFirefly
Hey, it isn't Smashmouth's fault that we've got a corporately-controlled music industry that would rather overplay a relative handful of songs than open the door to hundreds of bands out there that are every bit as good as the few dozen that your favorite format plays.

But I will blame Smash Mouth for writing the song, whoring it out to whoever will pay for it, and most egregeiously, appearing in the aforementioned Tostitos ad to sing a years-old song that pretty much everyone in the US is sick to death of by now.

I hate that commercial. I don't even know what it's for - it could be Tostitos, I don't know - because I've changed channels every time it shows up. I can't believe that some idiot ad executive somewhere is actually thinking "Hey, this 'All Star' song is pretty hip and the kids'll dig it, let's use it in our new ad! I bet no one every thought to use this song in an ad before, boy, am I fucking clever or what?" in 2002.

The album came out in June of 1999, three and a half years ago. The song was overplayed and completely stupid right away. It became totally irrelevant two and a half years ago. But the lead tool of Smash Mouth is still more than happy to whore himself out to whatever big multinational owns the product being advertised. He personally appears in the ad - it goes beyond simply using the song with permission.

I watched Shrek when the video first came out and realized that I would like the movie much more if it hadn't had the unbelievabley annoying "All Star" on the soundtrack. This dates the move horribly, and really cheapens it. I can't believe how dumb it will look in twenty years. Because of the music, I hated Shrek. I can't wait for the sequel, featuring Shrek skateboarding to "Sk8r Boi" by Avril Fucking Lavigne.

Fuck off, Smash Mouth. If I ever was somewhere and I turned around and saw the singer, my first instinct would be to say "Hey, you're the fucking All Star guy!" just as I struck him with my fist or a bottle or kneed him in the crotch. Let his entourage (does the guy from Smash Mouth have/deserve an entourage?) kick my ass or sue me, I don't care. It would be worth it just to hit him once in revenge for "All Star".

I'd be a hero. I could set up a website pleading for money for my legal defense, and I would have hundreds of thousands of dollars within the first week, all from people who also would have struck the lead singer of Smash Mouth for subjecting them to "All Star".

[World Eater]

Originally posted by chorizo
But I will blame Smash Mouth for writing the song, whoring it out to whoever will pay for it, and most egregeiously, appearing in the aforementioned Tostitos ad to sing a years-old song that pretty much everyone in the US is sick to death of by now.

I hate that commercial. I don't even know what it's for - it could be Tostitos, I don't know - because I've changed channels every time it shows up. I can't believe that some idiot ad executive somewhere is actually thinking "Hey, this 'All Star' song is pretty hip and the kids'll dig it, let's use it in our new ad! I bet no one every thought to use this song in an ad before, boy, am I fucking clever or what?" in 2002.

The album came out in June of 1999, three and a half years ago. The song was overplayed and completely stupid right away. It became totally irrelevant two and a half years ago. But the lead tool of Smash Mouth is still more than happy to whore himself out to whatever big multinational owns the product being advertised. He personally appears in the ad - it goes beyond simply using the song with permission.

I watched Shrek when the video first came out and realized that I would like the movie much more if it hadn't had the unbelievabley annoying "All Star" on the soundtrack. This dates the move horribly, and really cheapens it. I can't believe how dumb it will look in twenty years. Because of the music, I hated Shrek. I can't wait for the sequel, featuring Shrek skateboarding to "Sk8r Boi" by Avril Fucking Lavigne.

Fuck off, Smash Mouth. If I ever was somewhere and I turned around and saw the singer, my first instinct would be to say "Hey, you're the fucking All Star guy!" just as I struck him with my fist or a bottle or kneed him in the crotch. Let his entourage (does the guy from Smash Mouth have/deserve an entourage?) kick my ass or sue me, I don't care. It would be worth it just to hit him once in revenge for "All Star".

I'd be a hero. I could set up a website pleading for money for my legal defense, and I would have hundreds of thousands of dollars within the first week, all from people who also would have struck the lead singer of Smash Mouth for subjecting them to "All Star".

What the fuck should they do?

Ok guys they've played it enough, pull the plug on that one?

They probably are painfully aware that they are a one hit wonder, and they are trying to milk it the best they can. If only I could do the same with my band. Besides they probably don't even own the rights anymore, which means they can't stop it from playing even if they wanted to.

[chorizo]

Originally posted by World Eater
What the fuck should they do?

Ok guys they've played it enough, pull the plug on that one?

Well, yeah.

Basically, I simply can't imagine how anyone in the advertising world could possibly think that the American consumer hasn't heard "All Star" enough. That it's a great, unknown gem of a song that people will really like if they only have the opportunity to hear it. It's as if no one even considers that this song might possibly be just a little overplayed and irrelevant.

To me, this is the worst example of uncreative thinking and horrible advertising. They're using a song that has been used in tons of ads and movie soundtracks before this one, and for some reason the ad people think that they're being hip by using this overplayed, dumb song in yet another ad. I realize that I'm expecting a lot to have creative, original thoughts and ideas expressed in my Tostitos ads, but this isn't even trying.

Besides they probably don't even own the rights anymore, which means they can't stop it from playing even if they wanted to.

This is true. However, I doubt that the singer from Smash Mouth signed a contract that allows the record company to put him in any commercial that they choose - he actually appears in the Tostitos ad. There's a big difference, to me at least, between having a song used in a commercial and actually appearing in the commercial, lip-syncing like a trained monkey to your non-specific jingle of a song long after it was popular.

Unless they made a Jar-Jar Binks / Gollum CG version of the lead moron from Smash Mouth. Which is a far scarier thought...

[World Eater]

Originally posted by chorizo
Well, yeah.

Basically, I simply can't imagine how anyone in the advertising world could possibly think that the American consumer hasn't heard "All Star" enough. That it's a great, unknown gem of a song that people will really like if they only have the opportunity to hear it. It's as if no one even considers that this song might possibly be just a little overplayed and irrelevant.

Considering that beating dead horses is becoming more of a trend, perhaps they've thought of this, and passed over it. You are aware that they do a considerable amount of market research on this, yes?

This is true. However, I doubt that the singer from Smash Mouth signed a contract that allows the record company to put him in any commercial that they choose - he actually appears in the Tostitos ad. There's a big difference, to me at least, between having a song used in a commercial and actually appearing in the commercial, lip-syncing like a trained monkey to your non-specific jingle of a song long after it was popular.

Record companies rarely if ever give an artist they are signing the rights to their music. You should see a recording contract, they are perhaps the perfect example of one party legally screwing over the other. Say Billy Joel wants me to play a duet on his next album. I would actually need permission my label to do this, and if they say no, then tough beans, I can't do it. You simply aren't aware of how much control the record labels hold over an artist. So if "Rock Star" Barbie comes out, and Mattel wants that song for a jingle, Smash Mouth has no say whatsoever (assuming the label says yes). If they want the singer in the commercial wearing a pink dress, lip synching, I'm sure they could arrange that as well.

Remember money is the bottom line here. If the label could get away with leasing the song out 50 times instead of 10 why wouldn't they? If you could make 5 times more money would you?

[chorizo]

Considering that beating dead horses is becoming more of a trend, perhaps they've thought of this, and passed over it. You are aware that they do a considerable amount of market research on this, yes?

What kind of market research comes back with the conclusion that "All Star" is grossly underplayed and wildly popular, therefore should be incorporated into yet another commercial because they can still get a couple of miles out of it?

You simply aren't aware of how much control the record labels hold over an artist. So if "Rock Star" Barbie comes out, and Mattel wants that song for a jingle, Smash Mouth has no say whatsoever (assuming the label says yes). If they want the singer in the commercial wearing a pink dress, lip synching, I'm sure they could arrange that as well.

Now, I've never signed a major-label record contract, but as a huge music geek I feel I'm fairly aware of the screwing that your average unproven artist gets at the expense of the RIAA members. I've
read some things about record contracts. I've heard about all the old blues and jazz guys who are totally bankrupt right now. I read about A Tribe Called Quest, for example, who put out the classic "Low End Theory" album in '91, sold a lot of copies (at least a million, the RIAA's site lists it as a platinum album), and supposedly made like 50 grand after it was all said and done. I've seen bands like TLC sell millions of albums and declare bankruptcy in order to get out out grossly one-sided contracts.

But it still seems unlikely to me that a record company can FORCE a person to appear, physically, in an advertisement that uses one of their songs, regardless of who owns the rights to the music. I can't see this being a common clause in a record contract. I read that Kelly Clarkston of American Idol infamy, had a really restrictive contract like that basically forced her into things like this for Fox promos and such, but I can't see it happening to Smash Mouth, or any other run-of-the-mill middle-tier band.

But maybe it does. I'd be shocked, but like I said, I've never read nor signed a major label record contract.

Remember money is the bottom line here. If the label could get away with leasing the song out 50 times instead of 10 why wouldn't they? If you could make 5 times more money would you?

If I was the label, of course I would. That's what the labels do, they screw people for as much money as they possibly can. Same with advertisers - think of Doritos, who couldn't get Tom Waits to give up a song for a commercial. So they hired a guy who sounded just like him instead. He sued and won.

If it was me, someone who wrote a song and had the opportunity to sell it to an advertiser, I don't know. It would depend on the circumstances. The Minutemen, for example, recently sold a song for a car commercial because the father of D. Boon (the late singer/guitarist) needs money for medical care - this I can understand.

But the Who or Rolling Stones or Led Zeppelin selling songs for commercials bothers me - how much more money do they need? I'm not saying that they shouldn't do it, just that reserve the right to think less of them for doing it.

In the case of Smash Mouth, however, I can understand selling the song again - it's already been used to death. You're already seen as a shill for whoever will pay you. Might as well milk it while you can. My only concern would be making people totally and completly hate me instead of just being sort of indifferent or mildly annoyed.

[Sauron]

Originally posted by PhiloVance
[total hyjak]

I love Chariots of Fire




Now that was a cool tune.

_{but then they didn't use it everywhere}

[/total hyjak]

No, it wasn't used everywhere. However, my summer job in the early/mid-80s was as a tour guide at a privately owned set of caverns. The owner of the caverns decided that "Chariots of Fire" was THE perfect song to play when folks walked down the 118 steps into the main cavern.

I bet I heard that song 40 billion times.

[CanvasShoes]

I had to go to Kazaa and d/l the darn thing because I didn't know it by name, and didn't know which song the OP meant.

Oooooooooooooooooooh! That one. Well, I don't listen to the radio in a normal way (I'm so picky that I constantly hit the "scan" button in search of songs, or talkshow subjects, I like).

And I have "TiVo" so the rare times I watch TV I don't listen to commercials, and I don't watch sports on TV (I only like hockey anyway, and only go to live games).......................

So, I haven't been "overexposed" to this song as the rest of the board apparently has.

My opinion? It's an okay song, but I can see where I'd be in total agreement with the rest of the board about it's having been overplayed, were I exposed to it as much as everyone else has been.