Nearly two years ago, I wrote a post titled, “Words That Make A Difference“. In it, I divulged that a Smash Mouth song, “All Star”, saved my life. I was battling deep depression and didn’t see any hope for the future or any reason to continue. I quoted one of the lyrics’ lines and how it related to my situation.

You’ll never shine if you don’t glow.

My soul wanted desperately to glow.

I still love the song. In many ways, it was a song I shouldn’t have loved. It really isn’t my “style”. I’m a bit goofy, but I don’t usually crave goofy music. But that song dived into my veins and surfed my bloodstream as though it was meant to ride my soul.

I still sing it now and then.

And you know what? I never even knew the name of any of the Smash Mouth band members, including the lead singer.

I found out the lead singer’s name today. Steve Harwell.

Steve Harwell saved my life.

And today, Steve Harwell’s life ended.

I won’t mourn him in the same way I did when Prince died. Or grieve the way I did when Betty White died. If you read those posts, you’ll probably feel the difference in the level of emotion between those posts and this one. And that’s simply because I didn’t know Steve Harwell’s name. I didn’t have any connection with him, the person. And that’s a little sad, really. He affected my life in a much bigger way than either Prince or Betty White did, and yet, I don’t feel that same sense of loss that I felt when they left our world.

I hope that lack of personal emotion doesn’t dilute the massive amount of gratitude I feel towards him. If there is any chance he can feel the vibrations of energy that is flowing towards him today, I hope he feels my gratitude. His life mattered. He saved mine.

Rest in peace, Steve Harwell. You shined. You glowed. And you helped me find my shine, my glow.

All that glitters is gold. Only shooting stars break the mold.

All Star

Smash Mouth with lead singer, Steve Harwell.

Somebody once told me the world is gonna roll me
I ain’t the sharpest tool in the shed
She was looking kind of dumb with her finger and her thumb
In the shape of an “L” on her forehead

Well, the years start comin’ and they don’t stop comin’
Fed to the rules and I hit the ground runnin’
Didn’t make sense not to live for fun
Your brain gets smart but your head gets dumb
So much to do, so much to see
So what’s wrong with taking the backstreets?
You’ll never know if you don’t go (W-w-wacko)
You’ll never shine if you don’t glow

Hey now, you’re an all star
Get your game on, go play
Hey now, you’re a rock star
Get the show on, get paid
(And all that glitters is gold)
Only shootin’ stars break the mold

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 gettin’ pretty thin
The water’s gettin’ warm so you might as well swim
My world’s on fire, how ’bout yours?
That’s the way I like it and I’ll never get bored