Girish Mahajan (Editor)

Kool Thing

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Released
  
June 1990 (1990-06)

Length
  
04:06

Format
  
CD, 7", 12", CS

B-side
  
"That's All I Know (Right Now)"/"Dirty Boots"

Recorded
  
March–April 1990 at Sorcerer Sound Recording Studios and Greene Street Recording in New York, New York

Genre
  
Alternative rock, noise rock, punk rock

"Kool Thing" was the first major label single from American alternative rock band Sonic Youth's 1990 album Goo. It was released in June 1990 on Geffen Records. The song was inspired by an interview bassist/singer Kim Gordon conducted with LL Cool J for Spin in which the two artists clashed. Although he is never mentioned by name, the song's lyrics contain several references to LL Cool J. Gordon's lyrics make reference to several of the rapper's works, including the single "I Can't Live Without My Radio" and the album Walking With a Panther. She also repeats the line "I don't think so", which appears in LL Cool J's "Going Back to Cali". Chuck D also contributed some vocals to the song.

Contents

Music video

The music video for "Kool Thing", released on June 4, 1990, was the band's first for a major label. The video was directed by Tamra Davis. The video focused on Gordon's fascination with 1960s radicalism (particularly Patty Hearst and the Black Panthers), and featured the band wearing glam style clothing. The video was stylized after LL Cool J's "Going Back to Cali" video, down to the black-and-white camera and go-go dancers. Gordon initially wanted to wear a beret and carry an Uzi, as a self-described "poseur-leftist girl lusting after Black Panthers concept". However, Geffen vetoed the plan. Chuck D appeared in the video.

In pop culture

  • "Kool Thing" was featured in TV shows, films and video games including Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, Simple Men, Gilmore Girls, True Crime: New York City, Once Upon a Time and Mr. Robot in addition to appearing as downloadable content for Rock Band.

    • Legacy

  • Brian Molko of Placebo said that "Kool Thing" was the first song he ever heard by Sonic Youth, adding that if it were not for them, his own band would never have existed.

    • Track listings

    UK 7" (GEF 81)
    1. "Kool Thing" – 4:06
    2. "That's All I Know (Right Now)" (Richard Hell, Tom Verlaine) – 2:20
    UK 12" (GEF 81T)
    1. "Kool Thing" – 4:06
    2. "That's All I Know (Right Now)" (Hell, Verlaine) – 2:20
    3. "Kool Thing (8 Track Demo Version)" – 4:15
    EU CD (GEF 81CD)
    1. "Kool Thing" – 4:06
    2. "That's All I Know (Right Now)" (Hell, Verlaine) – 2:20
    3. "Dirty Boots (Rock & Roll Heaven Version)" – 5:28
    4. "Kool Thing (8 Track Demo Version)" – 4:15
    US 12" promo (PRO-A-4123)
    1. "Kool Thing" – 4:06
    2. "Kool Thing (8 Track Demo Version)" – 4:15

    References

    Kool Thing Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA


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