Kool Thing

"Kool Thing" is a song by American rock band Sonic Youth, released in June 1990 in the United States (as a promotional single) and September 1990 in Europe, as the first single from their sixth studio album Goo. The song was inspired by an interview bassist/singer Kim Gordon conducted with LL Cool J for Spin.[3][4] Although he is never mentioned by name, the song's lyrics contain several references to LL Cool J. Gordon's lyrics that 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 spoken vocals to the song.

"Kool Thing"
Single by Sonic Youth featuring Chuck D
from the album Goo
B-side
  • "That's All I Know (Right Now)"
  • "Dirty Boots"
ReleasedJune 1990 (1990-06)
RecordedMarch–April 1990
StudioSorcerer Sound Recording Studios and Greene Street Recording, New York City
Genre
Length4:06
LabelDGC
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Sonic Youth singles chronology
"Touch Me I'm Sick"
(1988)		 "Kool Thing"
(1990)		 "Dirty Boots"
(1991)
Alternate cover
UK cassette and US 12" cover
Music video
"Kool Thing" on YouTube

Critical reception

David Fricke of Rolling Stone referred to the song as "sexually charged," praising Thurston Moore and Steve Shelley's guitar and drum work, respectively.[5] Also from Rolling Stone, Matthew Perpetua designated the song as a "feminist anthem."[6] Jason Ankeny of AllMusic believed the song "teeters on the brink of a cultural breakthrough but falls just shy of the mark."[7] Robert Christgau praised Kim Gordon's performance on the song, citing "Kool Thing" as a standout track from Goo.[8]

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.

Spin designated the video as one of the greatest music videos of 1990.[9]

Live performances

On July 29, 1992, Sonic Youth performed "Kool Thing" on Hangin' with MTV in New York City.[10]

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.[11]

"Kool Thing" has also been frequently 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.

Track listings and formats
  1. "Kool Thing" (LP version) – 4:04
  2. "That's All I Know (Right Now)"  – 2:30
  1. "Kool Thing" (LP version) – 4:04
  2. "That's All I Know (Right Now)"  – 2:30
  3. "Kool Thing" (8 track demo version) – 4:13
  1. "Kool Thing" (LP version) – 4:07
  2. "That's All I Know (Right Now)"  – 2:18
  3. "Dirty Boots" (Rock & Roll Heaven version) – 5:26
  4. "Kool Thing" (8 track demo version) – 4:13

Credits and personnel

Credits and personnel are adapted from the Goo album liner notes.[16]

Sonic Youth

Guest musicians

Technical

Charts
Chart (1990) Peak
position
Ireland (IRMA)[17] 24
UK Singles (OCC)[18] 81
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[19] 7

References
  1. Pearis, Bill (July 2, 2020). "Sonic Youth have 'Goo' masks & t-shirts for LP's 30th anniversary (vintage posters, too)". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  2. Leas, Ryan (August 1, 2018). "30 Essential Grunge Songs". Stereogum. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  3. Blanco, John (March 20, 1991). "STAYING KOOL SONIC YOUTH SURVIVES A MAJOR LABEL". Phoenix New Times. Archived from the original on February 16, 2015. Retrieved December 23, 2009.
  4. Gordon, Kim (September 1989). "Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy". Spin. Vol. 5, no. 6. p. 50. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
  5. Fricke, David (August 9, 1990). "Goo". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 17, 2013.
  6. Perpetua, Matthew (March 28, 2012). "Sonic Youth: Three Decades of Dissonance". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  7. Ankeny, Jason. "Goo – Sonic Youth". AllMusic. Retrieved April 17, 2013.
  8. Christgau, Robert (2000). "Sonic Youth: Goo". Christgau's Consumer Guide: Albums of the '90s. St. Martin's Griffin. ISBN 0-312-24560-2. Retrieved April 17, 2013.
  9. "Albums of the Year". Spin. Vol. 6, no. 9. December 1990. p. 54.
  10. Wilcox, Tyler (February 23, 2015). "Invisible Hits: Sonic Youth's Live Legacy". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  11. Brian Molko - Radio XFM - Part 4 - Takeover Show The Residency - 27.12.2009 + some Pictures on YouTube
  12. Kool Thing (European 7-inch vinyl single liner notes). Sonic Youth. DGC. 1990. GEF 81.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. Kool Thing (United Kingdom cassette single liner notes). Sonic Youth. DGC. 1990. GEF81C.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. Kool Thing (United Kingdom 12-inch vinyl single liner notes). Sonic Youth. DGC. 1990. GEF 81T.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. Kool Thing (European CD single liner notes). Sonic Youth. DGC. 1990. GEF 81CD.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. Goo (CD liner notes). Sonic Youth. DGC. 1990. 9 24297-D2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Kool Thing". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  18. "Sonic Youth: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  19. "Sonic Youth Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
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