A cover of the original song by War. Smash Mouth’s version has a more ska-punk feeling to it.
The song mainly talks about not holding grudges, no matter what the situation. The main character (Steve Harwell) is willing to forget about this woman/person’s deceptiveness, as long as they can still be...
[Chorus]
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
[Verse 1]
I seen you, I seen you, I seen you 'round for a long long time
I really, I really, I really remember when you drank my wine
[Chorus]
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
[Verse 2]
I seen you, I seen you, I seen you walking down in Chinatown
I called you, I called you, I called but you did not look around
I pay my, I pay my, I pay my money to the welfare line
I seen you, I seen you, I seen you standing in it every time
[Chorus]
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
[Verse 3]
The color, the color, the color of your skin don't matter to me
As long as, as long as, long as we can live in harmony
I kind of, I kind of, I kind of, like to be the president
And I could, and I could, and I could show you how your money's spent
[Chorus]
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
[Verse 4]
Sometimes I don't speak right
But did I know what I was talking about
I know you're working for the CIA
They wouldn't have you in the mafia
[Chorus]
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why can't we be friends
Why Can’t We Be Friends was written by Jerry Goldstein.
Why Can’t We Be Friends was produced by Eric Valentine.
Smash Mouth released Why Can’t We Be Friends on Mon Jan 12 1998.