The track was composed primarily by guitarist and vocalist Tom DeLonge as both an ode to his girlfriend (later wife) Jennifer Jenkins and one of his favorite punk groups, the Ramones.
The song charted within the top 20 in ten other countries, and gained greater significance due to its accompanying music video, which parodies and mocks the boy bands Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync.
"All the Small Things" was selected by Rolling Stone as one of the "100 Greatest Pop Songs", and is listed in the 2010 book 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die.
In Australia, "All the Small Things" peaked at number eight on the ARIA Singles Chart.
The single was certified Platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association.