Released July 8, 2013 Recorded 2011–12 | Format Digital download Label Loyauté
Glassnote
V2 | |
Genre New wave
synthpop
nu-disco Length 3:48 (album version)
3:33 (radio edit)
3:35 (remix) | ||
"Trying to Be Cool" is a song by the French band Phoenix from their fifth album Bankrupt!. It was released as the second single from the album on July 8, 2013. The official remix features R. Kelly. The song became Phoenix's third top-ten hit on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart, after "1901" and "Lisztomania". The song's cover includes a mint julep, which is said in one of the song's lines, "mint julep testosterone". Frontman Thomas Mars told Spin magazine the lyrics to "Trying to Be Cool" mainly analyze "the beauty of the fake".
Contents
Music video
The single's music video, which was directed by CANADA and produced by The Creators Project, was released on YouTube on July 2, 2013. The music video includes a "surprise" made every 20 seconds. The version of the song used in the music video is a medley with "Drakkar Noir"; performing the two songs as a medley is a staple of Phoenix's live performances.
In popular culture
"Trying to Be Cool" was used in one episode of MTV series Catfish: The TV Show.
"Trying to Be Cool" was used in a season one episode of Multishow series Vai Pra Onde in Brazil.