| Revision as of 20:40, 17 July 2006 edit64.231.76.145 (talk) →Music and structure: added something← Previous edit | Revision as of 20:45, 17 July 2006 edit undo64.231.76.145 (talk) NOT a revert, just attempting to compromiseNext edit → | ||
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| ==Writing and inspiration== | ==Writing and inspiration== | ||
| The lyrics of "Cool" reflect Stefani's former relationship with No Doubt bassist, Tony Kanal. Although their romantic relationship ended, Stefani's lyrics portray her attitude that it is "cool" that they still remain very close and good friends. Stefani and Kanal's relationship had previously provided the inspiration for No Doubt's "]" (1996).<ref name=sandiego>"The phenom": Information on the inspiration for "Don't Speak". ] ]. . Retrieved ] ].</ref> While "Cool" presents a friendship between former lovers,<ref>Vineyard, Jennifer. ].com. . Retrieved ] ].</ref> "Don't Speak" is about a failing relationship and never arrives at a solution for the couple.<ref name=sandiego>"The phenom": Information on the inspiration for "Don't Speak". ] ]. . Retrieved ] ].</ref> Stefani and Kanal supply the basis for the characters.<ref name=sandiego>"The phenom": Information on the inspiration for "Don't Speak". ] ]. . Retrieved ] ].</ref> | The lyrics of "Cool" reflect Stefani's former relationship with No Doubt bassist, Tony Kanal. Although their romantic relationship ended, Stefani's lyrics portray her attitude that it is "cool" that they still remain very close and good friends. Stefani and Kanal's relationship had previously provided the inspiration for No Doubt's "]" (1996).<ref name=sandiego>"The phenom": Information on the inspiration for "Don't Speak". ] ]. . Retrieved ] ].</ref> While "Cool" presents a solid friendship between former lovers,<ref>Vineyard, Jennifer. ].com. . Retrieved ] ].</ref> "Don't Speak" is about a failing relationship and never arrives at a solution for the couple.<ref name=sandiego>"The phenom": Information on the inspiration for "Don't Speak". ] ]. . Retrieved ] ].</ref> Stefani and Kanal supply the basis for the characters.<ref name=sandiego>"The phenom": Information on the inspiration for "Don't Speak". ] ]. . Retrieved ] ].</ref> | ||
| Stefani said of the song, "Dallas Austin heard my song ']' and got inspired to write a new song called 'Cool', which he could never finish about his girlfriend and all the bullshit of breaking up, and how he wanted it to be okay. We finished the thing in fifteen minutes. I didn't write all of the melody — I'm ashamed, I want to say that I did — but I also know how magical it is that somebody could be so inspired by my song that they write one."<ref name= underneath-it-all>. Information about the song's commercial release. NoDoubtWeb.com. Retrieved ] ].</ref> | Stefani said of the song, "Dallas Austin heard my song ']' and got inspired to write a new song called 'Cool', which he could never finish about his girlfriend and all the bullshit of breaking up, and how he wanted it to be okay. We finished the thing in fifteen minutes. I didn't write all of the melody — I'm ashamed, I want to say that I did — but I also know how magical it is that somebody could be so inspired by my song that they write one."<ref name= underneath-it-all>. Information about the song's commercial release. NoDoubtWeb.com. Retrieved ] ].</ref> | ||
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| :I know we're cool" | :I know we're cool" | ||
| The lyrics of "Don't Speak" and "Cool" create a timeline of events within Gwen Stefani and Tony Kanal's relationship between 1994 and 2004. Stefani said, "I was never intending to go personal on record ... but no matter what you do, things just come out. It just ended this whole thing for me in my head, and it puts an end to a chapter in a really nice way."<ref>Vineyard, Jennifer. . ].com. Retrieved ] ].</ref> | The lyrics of "Don't Speak" and "Cool" create a timeline of events within Gwen Stefani and Tony Kanal's relationship between 1994 and 2004; this includes their association in the band No Doubt. Stefani said, "I was never intending to go personal on record ... but no matter what you do, things just come out. It just ended this whole thing for me in my head, and it puts an end to a chapter in a really nice way."<ref>Vineyard, Jennifer. . ].com. Retrieved ] ].</ref> | ||
| ==Music and structure== | ==Music and structure== | ||
| {{sound sample box align left| }} | {{sound sample box align left| }} | ||
| {{multi-listen start|Audio sample of:}} | {{multi-listen start|Audio sample of:}} | ||
| {{multi-listen item|filename=GwenStefaniCool.ogg|title="Cool" (2005)|description= The song is composed in D major and |
{{multi-listen item|filename=GwenStefaniCool.ogg|title="Cool" (2005)|description= The song is composed in D major and features ] production.|format=]}} | ||
| {{multi-listen end}} | {{multi-listen end}} | ||
| {{sample box end}} | {{sample box end}} | ||
| "Cool" is a mid-tempo ] featuring ] production and is composed in the key of ] and in a 4/4 ]. |
"Cool" is a mid-tempo ] featuring ] production and is composed in the key of ] and in a 4/4 ]. It follows the common ] and opens with five instruments: the ], the ]s, the ], the ], and the ], which are maintained throughout the song. Stefani begins the first verse in an unemotional state as the emphasis on the synthesizer is lowered and the hard-hitting drum beat increases in volume. To emphasize some of the changes in her relationship, she stresses several lyrics by rising to her highest ] in the song (C#5; see ]) and quickly descending, as on the line "and now we're hangin' out with your new girlfriend". She sings in a softer, almost ] voice towards the end of each chorus, when she asserts her and her former boyfriend are "cool" with each other. | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| There are two ]s in the song: ] and ], which establishes its ] and structure. |
There are two ]s in the song: ] and ], which establishes its ] and structure. The synthesizer in the song emulates ]-like instruments (such as the ], ] and ]) and ]s, while the bass and guitar retain a prominent quarter-note pulse. "Cool" features occasional ]s, quarter rests and eighth rests, most of which appear after the third verse. During the song's twenty-one second fade-out, Stefani repeats the line "I know we're cool". | ||
| ==Critical response== | ==Critical response== | ||
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| ] | ] | ||
| Although "Cool" was officially released to U.S. radio on ] ], it appeared a week early on '']'' magazine's ] chart. The song reached the top ten on the ], and the following week it debuted on the ], the official U.S. chart. "Cool" peaked at number thirteen in its eighth week and remained on the chart until its twentieth week. It entered the top twenty on the majority of the U.S. ''Billboard'' charts on which it appeared, and its remixes reached the top of the ] chart in mid-November, but |
Although "Cool" was officially released to U.S. radio on ] ], it appeared a week early on '']'' magazine's ] chart. The song reached the top ten on the ], and the following week it debuted on the ], the official U.S. chart. "Cool" peaked at number thirteen in its eighth week and remained on the chart until its twentieth week. It entered the top twenty on the majority of the U.S. ''Billboard'' charts on which it appeared, and its remixes reached the top of the ] (at the time titled Hot Dance Music/Club Play) chart in mid-November, but was less successful on the ] format. On the U.S. ], a chart unassociated with ''Billboard'', the song peaked at number six, where it received moderate airplay. In November 2005 the U.S. ] awarded "Cool" a gold certification for sales of more than 100,000 ]s and ]s. | ||
| "Cool" debuted higher on the Canadian charts than it did in the U.S. and just over three months after its release, it reached number one on ] ], a position it maintained for the following two weeks. It also reached the top five on the Canadian ] Airplay chart. "Cool" peaked higher than "Hollaback Girl"'s predecessor "]" in Canada, while in the U.S. "Rich Girl" was the single that charted higher. | "Cool" debuted higher on the Canadian charts than it did in the U.S. and just over three months after its release, it reached number one on ] ], a position it maintained for the following two weeks. It also reached the top five on the Canadian ] Airplay chart. "Cool" peaked higher than "Hollaback Girl"'s predecessor "]" in Canada, while in the U.S. "Rich Girl" was the single that charted higher. | ||
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| ] | ] | ||
| The ] was directed by ] and was filmed in ], ]. It follows the theme of the song very closely and depicts the relationship that Stefani has with a former boyfriend, who is played by Daniel Gonzalez. Gonzalez is seen walking with his new girlfriend (played by Tony Kanal's girlfriend, Erin Lokitz) to a house. Stefani answers the door, and the three of them are seen in each other's company, with intercut scenes of Stefani rolling around on a bed. There are brief ]s to the time when Stefani and her former boyfriend were dating where she wears a brunette wig, which represents her younger self. |
The ] was directed by ] and was filmed in ], ]. It follows the theme of the song very closely and depicts the relationship that Stefani has with a former boyfriend, who is played by Daniel Gonzalez. Gonzalez is seen walking with his new girlfriend (played by Tony Kanal's girlfriend, Erin Lokitz) to a house. Stefani answers the door, and the three of them are seen in each other's company, with intercut scenes of Stefani rolling around on a bed. There are brief ]s to the time when Stefani and her former boyfriend were dating where she wears a brunette wig, which represents her younger self. Stefani's natural brown hair has not been seen since she was in grade school.<ref>. OnlineSeats.com. ''Information on the personal life of Gwen Stefani''. Retrieved ] ].</ref><ref>Gwen Stefani Biography and Quotes — . Retrieved ] ].</ref> While the lyrical theme of "Cool" is maintained within the video, there are ] incorporated to portray Stefani feeling "uncool". Throughout the majority of the video, she is illustrated as being "cool" with her former boyfriend and his girlfriend, but there are also moments where she thinks about the past, and is uncomfortable.<ref name= underneath-it-all/> | ||
| The video showcases the scenery of ]'s forests, lakes and restaurants. It was also the first video of Stefani's from ''Love. Angel. Music. Baby.'' not to include her ]s, who were present throughout the majority of the album's promotion. The complete version of "Cool" featured in the music video has been released commercially through CD singles and digital downloads and it introduced an ]l arrangement that differs from the 1980s musical-style of the original version. | The video showcases the scenery of ]'s forests, lakes and restaurants. It was also the first video of Stefani's from ''Love. Angel. Music. Baby.'' not to include her ]s, who were present throughout the majority of the album's promotion. The complete version of "Cool" featured in the music video has been released commercially through CD singles and digital downloads and it introduced an ]l arrangement that differs from the 1980s musical-style of the original version. | ||
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| ==Formats and track listings== | ==Formats and track listings== | ||
| These are the formats and track listings of major single releases of "Cool". For reasons that were never confirmed, the U.S. digital download was removed from ] and other online music stores shortly following its release. It was the first digital download to be removed. | These are the formats and track listings of major single releases of "Cool". For reasons that were never confirmed, the U.S. digital download was removed from ] and other online music stores shortly following its release. It was the first digital download to ever be removed. | ||
| {{col-begin}} | {{col-begin}} | ||
| {{col-2}} | {{col-2}} | ||
Revision as of 20:45, 17 July 2006
| "Cool" | |
|---|---|
| Song |
"Cool" is a pop song performed by Gwen Stefani. It was written by Stefani and Dallas Austin for Stefani's debut solo album Love. Angel. Music. Baby (2004). The song's musical-style and production were heavily inspired by pop music from the 1980s, and its lyrics chronicle a relationship in which two lovers have separated, but remain "cool" with each other as good friends. "Cool" received praise from pop music critics, and parallels have been drawn by the media between the song's lyrical content and the relationship that Stefani had experienced with her former boyfriend Tony Kanal, a fellow group member of No Doubt.
The song was released in 2005 (see 2005 in music) as the album's fourth single and it entered the top twenty on the majority of the charts it appeared on, but it failed to match the success of its predecessor "Hollaback Girl". "Cool" reached number one in Canada.
Writing and inspiration
The lyrics of "Cool" reflect Stefani's former relationship with No Doubt bassist, Tony Kanal. Although their romantic relationship ended, Stefani's lyrics portray her attitude that it is "cool" that they still remain very close and good friends. Stefani and Kanal's relationship had previously provided the inspiration for No Doubt's "Don't Speak" (1996). While "Cool" presents a solid friendship between former lovers, "Don't Speak" is about a failing relationship and never arrives at a solution for the couple. Stefani and Kanal supply the basis for the characters.
Stefani said of the song, "Dallas Austin heard my song 'Underneath It All' and got inspired to write a new song called 'Cool', which he could never finish about his girlfriend and all the bullshit of breaking up, and how he wanted it to be okay. We finished the thing in fifteen minutes. I didn't write all of the melody — I'm ashamed, I want to say that I did — but I also know how magical it is that somebody could be so inspired by my song that they write one."
Because Austin had wanted to write a song about the aftermath of his failed relationship, the lyrics recall a romantic affiliation that once existed, from the point of view of one who has moved on from their former love, with Stefani indicating that she has found a new partner. They suggest a progression through a turbulent time to a mutual understanding that takes their relationship to a level of respect.
Stefani sums up the evolution of their relationship with the lyric "after all that we've been through, I know we're cool". The former couple are now "hanging out" with Kanal's new girlfriend, while Stefani has married and is pleased that he calls her by her "new last name".
- "And I'll be happy for you
- If you can be happy for me
- Circles and triangles, and now we're
- Hangin' out with your new girlfriend"
- "So far from where we've been
- I know we're cool"
The lyrics of "Don't Speak" and "Cool" create a timeline of events within Gwen Stefani and Tony Kanal's relationship between 1994 and 2004; this includes their association in the band No Doubt. Stefani said, "I was never intending to go personal on record ... but no matter what you do, things just come out. It just ended this whole thing for me in my head, and it puts an end to a chapter in a really nice way."
Music and structure
Template:Sound sample box align left Template:Multi-listen start Template:Multi-listen item Template:Multi-listen end Template:Sample box end
"Cool" is a mid-tempo love song featuring new wave production and is composed in the key of D major and in a 4/4 time signature. It follows the common verse-chorus form and opens with five instruments: the bass guitar, the drums, the guitar, the keyboard, and the synthesizer, which are maintained throughout the song. Stefani begins the first verse in an unemotional state as the emphasis on the synthesizer is lowered and the hard-hitting drum beat increases in volume. To emphasize some of the changes in her relationship, she stresses several lyrics by rising to her highest pitch in the song (C#5; see octave) and quickly descending, as on the line "and now we're hangin' out with your new girlfriend". She sings in a softer, almost sotto voice towards the end of each chorus, when she asserts her and her former boyfriend are "cool" with each other.
There are two sharps in the song: C sharp and F sharp, which establishes its harmony and structure. The synthesizer in the song emulates brass-like instruments (such as the baritone, trumpet and tuba) and woodwind instruments, while the bass and guitar retain a prominent quarter-note pulse. "Cool" features occasional half rests, quarter rests and eighth rests, most of which appear after the third verse. During the song's twenty-one second fade-out, Stefani repeats the line "I know we're cool".
Critical response
"Cool" received a generally positive response from music critics. LAUNCHcast's Jennifer Nine referred to the song as "a liltingly sweet paean to post-break-up friendships", while All Music Guide wrote that the "high school anthem-in-waiting" exuded "sleek, new wave textures". Richard Smirke of PlayLouder commented that the song successfully used the same production formula as its fellow album tracks "Serious" and "What You Waiting For?", and described it as a "crisp blend of edgy 21C production and early 80s Madonna-esque pop".
Jason Damas, in a review for PopMatters, characterized the song as "a slippery slice of keyboard driven new wave pop that easily could've slotted into any No Doubt album... pitched halfway between The Go-Go's and Cyndi Lauper", and added, "the lyrics immediately ensure it will be sung along to by lonely 16-year-olds". While Blender magazine ranked "Cool" at number forty-five on its list of "The 100 Greatest Songs of 2005", the song attracted some negative feedback as well: Bill Lamb of About.com proclaimed it to be "Gwen's lost Cyndi Lauper tune", but felt that it "doesn't immediately grab attention like her other singles".
Chart performance
Although "Cool" was officially released to U.S. radio on July 5 2005, it appeared a week early on Billboard magazine's Pop 100 Airplay chart. The song reached the top ten on the Pop 100, and the following week it debuted on the Billboard Hot 100, the official U.S. chart. "Cool" peaked at number thirteen in its eighth week and remained on the chart until its twentieth week. It entered the top twenty on the majority of the U.S. Billboard charts on which it appeared, and its remixes reached the top of the Hot Dance Club Play (at the time titled Hot Dance Music/Club Play) chart in mid-November, but was less successful on the Adult Contemporary format. On the U.S. ARC Weekly Top 40, a chart unassociated with Billboard, the song peaked at number six, where it received moderate airplay. In November 2005 the U.S. RIAA awarded "Cool" a gold certification for sales of more than 100,000 CD singles and digital downloads.
"Cool" debuted higher on the Canadian charts than it did in the U.S. and just over three months after its release, it reached number one on October 6 2005, a position it maintained for the following two weeks. It also reached the top five on the Canadian BDS Airplay chart. "Cool" peaked higher than "Hollaback Girl"'s predecessor "Rich Girl" in Canada, while in the U.S. "Rich Girl" was the single that charted higher.
The song was released in Asia, Australia and Europe on August 22 2005. "What You Waiting For?" (the first single from Love. Angel. Music. Baby.) and "Rich Girl" had reached the top five in the United Kingdom, but "Hollaback Girl" had only the top ten, and "Cool" continued the trend of lower-charting singles when it debuted and peaked at number eleven. Stefani's previous singles had charted most strongly in Australia, where "What You Waiting For?" and "Hollaback Girl" debuted at number one and "Rich Girl" at number two. "Cool" debuted at number ten and quickly descended the chart, but widespread airplay and Stefani's concurrent promotional visit to Australia stimulated a resurgence of interest in Love. Angel. Music. Baby., which began to ascend the albums chart again.
The song reached number six on the United World Chart in mid-October. While it entered the top ten in the Netherlands and New Zealand, it was only a moderate top twenty success in Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Norway, and on Russian radio. In Switzerland the song failed to enter the top twenty.
Music video
The music video was directed by Sophie Muller and was filmed in Lake Como, Italy. It follows the theme of the song very closely and depicts the relationship that Stefani has with a former boyfriend, who is played by Daniel Gonzalez. Gonzalez is seen walking with his new girlfriend (played by Tony Kanal's girlfriend, Erin Lokitz) to a house. Stefani answers the door, and the three of them are seen in each other's company, with intercut scenes of Stefani rolling around on a bed. There are brief flashbacks to the time when Stefani and her former boyfriend were dating where she wears a brunette wig, which represents her younger self. Stefani's natural brown hair has not been seen since she was in grade school. While the lyrical theme of "Cool" is maintained within the video, there are frames incorporated to portray Stefani feeling "uncool". Throughout the majority of the video, she is illustrated as being "cool" with her former boyfriend and his girlfriend, but there are also moments where she thinks about the past, and is uncomfortable.
The video showcases the scenery of Como's forests, lakes and restaurants. It was also the first video of Stefani's from Love. Angel. Music. Baby. not to include her Harajuku Girls, who were present throughout the majority of the album's promotion. The complete version of "Cool" featured in the music video has been released commercially through CD singles and digital downloads and it introduced an orchestral arrangement that differs from the 1980s musical-style of the original version.
"Cool" premiered on MTV's top-ten video-chart program Total Request Live on June 30 2005, where it reached number three; it also reached number two on VH1's Top 20 Video Countdown. Following its debut on MuchMusic's Countdown on July 8 2005, it ascended to number one for the week of October 7 2005. "Cool" reached number nine on LAUNCHcast's top one-hundred most-watched videos on July 23 2005.
Formats and track listings
These are the formats and track listings of major single releases of "Cool". For reasons that were never confirmed, the U.S. digital download was removed from iTunes and other online music stores shortly following its release. It was the first digital download to ever be removed.
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Credits and personnel
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Charts
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- ( Photek/Richard X remixes)
| Preceded by"Don't Cha" by The Pussycat Dolls | Canadian number-one single "Cool" by Gwen Stefani October 6 2005 (3 weeks) |
Succeeded by"Alive" by Melissa O'Neil |
Notes
- ^ "The phenom": Information on the inspiration for "Don't Speak". October 20 2005. "Sign on San Diego". Retrieved October 20 2005.
- Vineyard, Jennifer. MTV.com. "Gwen Stefani's Song About Tony Kanal To Be Her Next Single". Retrieved November 28 2005.
- ^ "Cool". Information about the song's commercial release. NoDoubtWeb.com. Retrieved October 25 2005.
- Vineyard, Jennifer. "Gwen Stefani's Song About Tony Kanal To Be Her Next Single". MTV.com. Retrieved November 30 2005.
- Nine, Jennifer. "Gwen Stefani — 'Love, Angel, Music, Baby'". LAUNCHcast. November 25 2004. Retrieved October 25 2005.
- Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Love.Angel.Music.Baby". All Music Guide. Retrieved October 25 2005.
- Smirke, Richard. "Love. Angel. Music. Baby.". PlayLouder. November 23 2004. Retrieved October 25 2005.
- Damas, Jason. "GWEN STEFANI – Love.Angel.Music.Baby.". PopMatters. November 29 2004. Retrieved October 25 2005.
- "The 100 Greatest Songs of 2005". Blender. January/February 2006. Retrieved June 1 2006.
- Lamb, Bill. "Gwen Stefani — Cool". About.com. Retrieved October 25 2005.
- "Artist Biography - Gwen Stefani". OnlineSeats.com. Information on the personal life of Gwen Stefani. Retrieved June 18 2006.
- Gwen Stefani Biography and Quotes — "Stefani's original hair color is brown". Retrieved November 28 2005.
References
- "ARC Weekly Top 40 timeline – Gwen Stefani". Rock on the Net. Retrieved October 19 2005.
- "Australian Recording Industry Association". Australian airplay and sales charts. Retrieved October 19 2005.
- "BBC: The Official UK Charts Company". United Kingdom sales chart. Retrieved October 19 2005.
- "Billboard". Billboard Hot 100 airplay and sales charts. Retrieved October 19 2005.
- 70 Countries Worldwide, Number 1 Hit Singles, week of October 21 (2005). "Charly-1300". Retrieved October 17 2005.
- "Jam Canoe". Canadian airplay and sales charts. Retrieved October 19 2005.
- Vineyard, Jennifer. MTV.com. "Gwen Stefani's Song About Tony Kanal To Be Her Next Single". Retrieved November 28 2005.
- Rainey, Billy; Vineyard, Jennifer. MTV.com. "Gwen Stefani: Scared Solo (2004/2005)". Retrieved October 15 2005.
- NoDoubtWeb.com. "Stefani discusses Dallas Austin's inspiration from 'Underneath It All'". Retrieved October 15 2005.
- "Oricon". Japanese airplay and sales charts. Retrieved October 19 2005.
- "Recording Industry Association of New Zealand". New Zealand sales chart. Retrieved October 19 2005.
- "The phenom": Information on the inspiration for "Don't Speak". October 20 2005. "Sign on San Diego". Retrieved October 20 2005.
External links
- "Cool" lyrics
- Gwen Stefani music videos — watch "Cool" at LAUNCHcast
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