Kool Thing
Encyclopedia
"Kool Thing" was the first major label single from Sonic Youth
's 1990 album Goo
. It was released in June 1990 on DGC
. 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 contributes some vocals in the song.
"That's All I Know (Right Now)" is a cover of a Neon Boys song, an early Tom Verlaine
and Richard Hell
project.
. The video deals with Kim Gordon
's fascination with 1960s radicalism (particularly Patty Hearst
and the Black Panthers), and features 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 style dancers One of the Go-Go dancers is Amma Walcott.
The video was released June 4, 1990
Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth is an American alternative rock band from New York City, formed in 1981. The current lineup consists of Thurston Moore , Kim Gordon , Lee Ranaldo , Steve Shelley , and Mark Ibold .In their early career, Sonic Youth was associated with the No Wave art and music scene in New York City...
's 1990 album Goo
Goo (album)
Goo is the sixth album by the American alternative rock band Sonic Youth, released on June 26, 1990. Goo was the first album released after the band signed to major label Geffen Records.-Background and recording:...
. It was released in June 1990 on DGC
Geffen Records
Geffen Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-Beginnings:...
. The song was inspired by an interview bassist/singer Kim Gordon
Kim Gordon
Kim Althea Gordon is an American musician, vocalist, artist, record producer, video director and actress. She has sung and played bass and guitar in the alternative rock band Sonic Youth, and in Free Kitten with Julia Cafritz...
conducted with LL Cool J
LL Cool J
James Todd Smith , better known as LL Cool J , is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and actor...
for Spin
Spin (magazine)
Spin is a music magazine founded in 1985 by publisher Bob Guccione Jr.-History:In its early years, the magazine was noted for its broad music coverage with an emphasis on college-oriented rock music and on the ongoing emergence of hip-hop. The magazine was eclectic and bold, if sometimes haphazard...
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
I Can't Live Without My Radio
"I Can't Live Without My Radio" is the lead single from LL Cool J's debut album, Radio. It was released in 1985 for Def Jam Recordings and was both written and produced by LL Cool J and Rick Rubin. The song found modest success, making it to #15 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks...
" and the album Walking With a Panther
Walking with a Panther
Walking with a Panther is the third studio album by high-selling hip-hop artist LL Cool J. Released in 1989, the album was a commercial success, with several charting singles...
. She also repeats the line "I don't think so", which appears in LL Cool J's "Going Back to Cali
Going Back to Cali (LL Cool J song)
"Going Back to Cali" is single by LL Cool J from the Less Than Zero soundtrack and his third album Walking with a Panther. Produced by Rick Rubin and LL Cool J, the song was a success, peaking at #31 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #12 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and was eventually certified gold by...
". Chuck D
Chuck D
Carlton Douglas Ridenhour , better known by his stage name, Chuck D, is an American rapper, author, and producer. He helped create politically and socially conscious rap music in the mid-1980s as the leader of the rap group Public Enemy.- Early life :Ridenhour was born in Queens, New York...
also contributes some vocals in the song.
Track listing
- "Kool Thing" (LP version) - 4:06
- "That's All I Know (Right Now)" - 2:20
- "Dirty Boots" (Rock and Roll Heaven version) - 5:28
- "Kool Thing" (8-track demo version) - 4:15
"That's All I Know (Right Now)" is a cover of a Neon Boys song, an early Tom Verlaine
Tom Verlaine
Tom Verlaine is a singer, songwriter and guitarist, best known as the frontman for the New York rock band Television.-Biography:...
and Richard Hell
Richard Hell
Richard Hell is a singer, songwriter, bass guitarist, and writer.Richard Hell was an innovator of punk music and fashion. He was one of the first to spike his hair and wear torn, cut and drawn-on shirts, often held together with safety pins...
project.
Music video
The music video for "Kool Thing" was the band's first for a major label. The video was directed by Tamra DavisTamra Davis
Tamra Davis is an American film, television and music video director.-Biography:She is known for directing films such as Billy Madison, CB4 and Half Baked and television shows such as My Name Is Earl and Everybody Hates Chris. She also directed the film Crossroads, starring Britney Spears.She...
. The video deals with Kim Gordon
Kim Gordon
Kim Althea Gordon is an American musician, vocalist, artist, record producer, video director and actress. She has sung and played bass and guitar in the alternative rock band Sonic Youth, and in Free Kitten with Julia Cafritz...
's fascination with 1960s radicalism (particularly Patty Hearst
Patty Hearst
Patricia Campbell Hearst , now known as Patricia Campbell Hearst Shaw, is an American newspaper heiress, socialite, actress, kidnap victim, and convicted bank robber....
and the Black Panthers), and features the band wearing glam style clothing. The video was stylized after LL Cool J's
LL Cool J
James Todd Smith , better known as LL Cool J , is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and actor...
"Going Back to Cali" video, down to the black and white camera, and Go-Go style dancers One of the Go-Go dancers is Amma Walcott.
The video was released June 4, 1990
Singles chart
| Year | Single | Chart | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | "Kool Thing" | Modern Rock Tracks | No. 7 |
| 1990 | "Kool Thing" | UK Singles Chart | No. 81 |
In pop culture
- It is featured in the video game Guitar Hero III: Legends of RockGuitar Hero III: Legends of RockGuitar Hero III: Legends of Rock is a music video game, the third main installment in the Guitar Hero series, and the fourth title overall...
and available as downloadable content for the Rock BandRock BandRock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
video game series. - It is featured in the video game True Crime: New York CityTrue Crime: New York CityTrue Crime: New York City is an urban sandbox-style action-adventure videogame published by Activision and developed by Luxoflux for the Xbox, PlayStation 2, and GameCube consoles and Windows based computers. It is the second game of the True Crime series, released after True Crime: Streets of LA...
. - The video features Chuck DChuck DCarlton Douglas Ridenhour , better known by his stage name, Chuck D, is an American rapper, author, and producer. He helped create politically and socially conscious rap music in the mid-1980s as the leader of the rap group Public Enemy.- Early life :Ridenhour was born in Queens, New York...
of Public Enemy, who also appears on the song. - The song was used in the Hal HartleyHal HartleyHal Hartley is an American film director, screenwriter, producer composer, who became a key figure in the American independent film movement of the 1980s and 1990s...
film Simple MenSimple MenSimple Men is a 1992 American film written and directed by Hal Hartley, starring Robert John Burke, Bill Sage, Karen Sillas and Martin Donovan. It was the debut film of actress Holly Marie Combs in a supporting role...
. - In season six, episode 16 of Gilmore GirlsGilmore GirlsGilmore Girls is an American family comedy-drama series created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, starring Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel. On October 5, 2000, the series debuted on The WB and was cancelled in its seventh season, ending on May 15, 2007 on The CW...
, when getting ready for an event, "Kool Thing" can be heard in the background. - Brian MolkoBrian MolkoBrian Molko is a songwriter, lead vocalist, and guitarist of the band Placebo. He is known in particular for his high-pitched vocals, androgynous appearance, and unique, Sonic Youth-influenced guitar style and tuning.-Early life:Born to an American father of French-Italian heritage and a Scottish...
of PlaceboPlacebo (band)Placebo are a British rock band from London, England, formed in 1994 by singer and guitarist Brian Molko and bass guitarist Stefan Olsdal. The band was joined by drummer Robert Schultzberg, who was later replaced by Steve Hewitt after conflicts with Molko. Hewitt left the band in October 2007 and...
said that this 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.