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All Star

"All Star" is a 1999 song by the American rock band Smash Mouth, released as a single from the album *Astro Lounge*.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

"All Star" is a 1999 song by the American rock band Smash Mouth, released as a single from the album *Astro Lounge*. Written by guitarist Greg Camp and produced by Eric Valentine, it became the band’s best-known song and a mainstream hit. The track later gained wider cultural recognition through film use, especially in *Shrek*.

Background

"All Star" was created after Smash Mouth’s breakthrough success and was released in 1999 as part of the *Astro Lounge* era. Sources describe it as a song written by Greg Camp and intended as an encouraging, self-affirming track.

Release and reception

The song was issued on May 4, 1999 and became a commercial hit, peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also received broad radio and popular attention, helping define Smash Mouth’s mainstream profile.

Cultural impact

"All Star" later became strongly associated with film and internet culture, especially through its use in *Shrek*. Its continued visibility helped it remain one of the most recognizable pop-rock singles of the late 1990s.

Key facts

  • Released as the first single from Smash Mouth’s second studio album, *Astro Lounge*.
  • Written by guitarist Greg Camp and produced by Eric Valentine.
  • Reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.
  • The song became closely associated with the film *Shrek* after being used in its opening sequence.
  • It is widely regarded as Smash Mouth’s signature song.
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Canadian context

The song was part of late-1990s North American pop-rock radio culture and later circulated widely in Canadian media and internet culture, especially through its association with *Shrek*.

Frequently asked questions

What is "All Star"?
"All Star" is a single by the American rock band Smash Mouth, released in 1999 from the album *Astro Lounge*.
Who wrote "All Star"?
The song was written by Smash Mouth guitarist Greg Camp.
When was "All Star" released?
It was released on May 4, 1999.
What album is "All Star" from?
It appears on Smash Mouth’s second studio album, *Astro Lounge*.
How successful was "All Star"?
It reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became Smash Mouth’s best-known song.
Why is "All Star" widely remembered?
Its use in films, especially *Shrek*, helped turn it into a long-lasting pop-culture reference.

References

  1. Songfacts — https://www.songfacts.com/facts/smash-mouth/all-star
    Supports: Background on the song’s inspiration and Greg Camp’s authorship.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_Star_(song)
    Supports: Release date, album, writer, producer, and general song details.
  3. WBUR — https://www.wbur.org/onlyagame/2018/07/13/all-star-smash-mouth-band-song
    Supports: Chart peak and cultural framing of the song.
  4. uDiscoverMusic — https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/smash-mouth-all-star-song-history/
    Supports: Release context, chart performance, film appearances, and Grammy nomination.