Smash Mouth's "Walking On The Sun"

Cafe Society
1

I remember hearing on MTV that this song “borrowed” heavily its melody from a 60s jazz group’s recording. I even recall seeing Kurt Loder talk about it and had a picture of the band. Anyone know who this group is?

2

You’re thinking of the influential 1960s band The Zombies.

3

What specific Zombies song was Walking on the Sun “borrowed” from?

4

It’s reminiscent of the chorus from “She’s Not There.”

5

Also, the keyboard line is very similar to Herbie Hancock’s “Watermelon Man” off the “Takin’ Off” album (not the Headhunters version), which may be the jazz tie-in you’re looking for. You can listen to a bit of it here

6

Thanks for the replies, but I’m not positive the Zombies or Herbie Hancock is what I remember hearing. I can hear a similarity to the Zombies’ sound and the organ line in “Watermelon Man” does seem similar… The clip I remember hearing was electric and the instrument sounded similar to the guitar (I think it’s a guitar) that you hear at the beginning of the song.

7

I think the intro sounds just like The Doors song, Soul Kitchen…

8

Are you possibly thinking of the second song released by Smash Mouth, “I Can’t Get Enough of You Baby?” It was a remake of a song by one hit wonders “Question Mark and the Mysterians.”

9

I wonder if it’s just that all rock keyboard lines sound similar? For instance, the organ in the intro to “Swing, Swing” by the All-American Rejects always reminds me of the organ in the chorus of “Dr Robert” by the Beatles.