THE FONZ
THE FONZ
yup! he's the principal who gets it in scream.....
I wanna try your shoes on
And wear them for a day
Learn to walk like you do
And say what I see
I'd talk like I know something
That everyone wanted to hear
But you're the Fonz
You're the Fonz
But you're the Fonz
You're the Fonz
The definition of icy
The measure of what's up
You could play the tuba
And everyone would clap
Well I can play the tuba
And they all just shake their heads
Cause you're the Fonz
You're the Fonz
Cause you're the Fonz
You're the Fonz
Cause you're the Fonz
You're the Fonz
Cause you're the Fonz
You're the Fonz
I know it's over for me
I know it's over for me
I know it's over for me
I know it's over
I drove my car to the top floor
And stood at the edge
When I woke up in heaven
Looked down and no one cared
But when you pulled your own trigger
They all gathered around to watch
Cause you're the Fonz
You're the Fonz
Cause you're the Fonz
You're the Fonz
Cause you're the Fonz
You're the Fonz
Cause you're the Fonz
You're the Fonz
Because you are the Fonz
You're the Fonz
Because you are the Fonz
You're the Fonz
Because you are the Fonz
You're the Fonz
Because you are the Fonz
You're the Fonz
Because you are the
Ah, the Fonz. Listening to the song, you would expect that it is about Henry Winkler’s character on HAPPY DAYS. But SMASH MOUTH does it again by using it as a metaphor for that “cool” individual; that dude/dudette who would never be caught walkin’ on the sun for he/she was the first to begin the fad; that epitome of greatness and all that...
First of all, this is the most haunting song in the album. I would describe this song as a ballad--a tragic ballad at best, about wanting to be “the Fonz” and not living a life so plain and ordinary.
Two lines are quite disturbing:
I know it’s over for meHmm...Personally, I can relate but not in the extreme sense that I would want to kill myself! But, unfortunately, the song deals with a subject that hits a bit too close to home for which certain people would relate to.
I know it’s over
other interpretations:
X CLASHingrown toenote:
I found it hard to believe that they we're taking The Fonz as a literal definition of "cool".I think what they mean is someone who thinks they're cool but are really a joke. I have a friend like that and when I think of him in the context of the song the whole thing fits perfectly. When I first heard those suicide lyrics you mentioned I thought it might relate to Kurt Cobain, but that doesn't hold up. There will be a quiz on this on Monday.Bill gets a big, fat F- on the quiz!
Ah, you read my super-short essay on "The Fonz"! I reread through what I wrote and I realize that I was not too clear. You see, that page was made during the time I was just learning HTML. The quotation marks on "cool" were supposed to be read in a sarcastic manner. One a dese days I'm a gonna fix it and add more explanation. Anyway, this is what Greg said in the Rolling Stones Transcript (I have a link to that):"It's about people that we know that aren't exactly great at what they do, but they're so in with a certain click that they could never not be the coolest. Sort of like all the Arthur Fonzarellis in the music world right now."
So your interpretation is exactly in tune with Smash Mouth's interpretation!
Anyway, I still think that "The Fonz" is still the "cool" person. It's the person trying to copy "The Fonz" who's the joke. It may refer to Kurt Cobain in some respects, as it refers to people who worshipped Cobain so intensely that they have taken their lives in the same manner. (btw, there's this cool comic book called "Preacher" and there's this character who tries to commit suicide ala his idol Cobain but ends up surviving with a grotesque yet humorous-looking face...anyway...)
Plus doesn't the tune remind you of a Nirvana/Weezer hybrid? Could it be intentional in that respects? Hmm...
![[The Fonz and the Happy Days Gang]](fonztoon.jpg)
when i was about 9 i used to watch this show, "the fonz and the happy days gang," a lot. it was actually funny and believe it or not i also found "the osmond brothers" cartoon very funny as well. no foolin'!