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{{Infobox single
{{Single infobox2 |
| Name = Cool
| Name = Cool
| Cover = B000AMVYEY.01. SCLZZZZZZZ .jpg
| Cover = Cool.png
| Artist = [[Gwen Stefani]]
| Artist = [[Gwen Stefani]]
| from Album = [[Love. Angel. Music. Baby.]]
| Album = [[Love. Angel. Music. Baby.]]
| Released = {{Start date|2005|5|1}}<br /><small>(see [[#Release history|release history]])</small>
| Released = July 2005: North America<br>August 2005: Elsewhere
| Format = [[Digital download]]: U.S. <br>[[CD single]]: Elsewhere
| Format = [[Compact Disc single|CD single]], [[music download|digital download]]
| Recorded = [[Atlanta, Georgia]]<br>[[Burbank, Los Angeles County, California|Burbank, California]]
| Recorded = DARP Studios<br /><small>([[Atlanta]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]])</small> <br /> O'Henry Sound Studios<br /><small>([[Burbank, California|Burbank]], [[California]])</small>
| Genre = [[Pop music|Pop]]
| Genre = [[New Wave]]
| Length = 3:09 <small>(Album Version)</small><br />4:05 <small>(Video Edit)</small>
| Length = 3:09
| Label = [[Interscope]]
| Label = [[Interscope Records|Interscope]]
| Writer = Gwen Stefani<br>[[Dallas Austin]]
| Writer = Gwen Stefani, [[Dallas Austin]]
| Producer = Dallas Austin
| Producer = Dallas Austin
| Certification =
| Video director = [[Sophie Muller]]
| Last single = "[[Hollaback Girl]]"<br />(2005)
| Certification = [[Gold single|Gold]] <small>([[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]])</small>
| This single = "'''Cool'''"<br />(2005)
| Chart position = <ul><li>#13 ([[United States|U.S.]] &mdash; 1 week)</li></ul> <ul><li>#1 ([[Canada]] &mdash; 3 weeks) </li></ul> <ul><li>#11 ([[United Kingdom|U.K.]] &mdash; 1 week) </li></ul> <ul><li>#10 ([[Australia]] &mdash; 1 week) </li></ul> <ul><li>
| Next single = "[[Can I Have It Like That]]"<br />(2005)
| Reviews = <nowiki></nowiki>
* Bill Lamb, [[About.com]], [http://top40.about.com/od/singles/gr/gwenstefanicool.htm link]
| Last single = "[[Hollaback Girl]]" <br />(2005)
| This single = "Cool" <br />(2005)
| Next single = "[[Can I Have It Like That]]" <br />(2005)
}}
}}


"'''Cool'''" is a [[pop music|pop]] song written by [[United States|American]] singer-songwriter [[Gwen Stefani]] and [[Dallas Austin]] for Stefani's debut solo album ''[[Love. Angel. Music. Baby.|Love. Angel. Music. Baby]]'' ([[2004]]). The song's musical style, and its [[record producer|production]] by Austin, was heavily inspired by music from the [[1980s]], and its [[lyrics]] chronicle a relationship in which two lovers have separated, but remain "cool" with each other and good friends. It received praise from critics, and parallels have been drawn by the media between the lyrical content of "Cool" and the real-life relationship Stefani had with [[Tony Kanal]], a fellow group member of Stefani's in [[No Doubt]]. It was released as a [[single (music)|single]] in [[2005]] (see [[2005 in music]]), and although it failed to match the chart success of its predecessor "[[Hollaback Girl]]", which reached number one in several countries, "Cool" is considered to be a worldwide hit as it reached number one in [[Canada]], the top ten in [[Australia]], and the top twenty in the [[United Kingdom]] and the United States, where it became Stefani's fifth top-twenty single.
"'''Cool'''" is a [[pop rock]] song written by [[Gwen 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|pop]] and [[New Wave music]] from the 1980s, and its [[lyrics]] chronicle a relationship in which two lovers have separated, but remain "[[cool (aesthetic)|cool]]" with each other as good friends. "Cool" received praise from pop music critics, and the media have drawn parallels between the song's lyrical content and the romantic relationship that Stefani had with [[Tony Kanal]], a fellow group member of [[No Doubt]].
==Composition and meaning==


The song was released as the album's fourth [[single (music)|single]] in mid-2005 and entered the top twenty of the majority of the charts it appeared on. Although "Cool" failed to match the success of its predecessor "[[Hollaback Girl]]", it reached number one in Canada.
"Cool" is a mid-tempo love song featuring numerous [[woodwind instrument]]s and [[New Wave music|new wave]] production, with lyrics reflecting Stefani's past 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 good and close friends. Stefani and Kanal's relationship had previously provided the inspiration for No Doubt's [[1995]] number-one [[Hot 100 Airplay|Billboard Hot 100 Airplay]] and worldwide single, "[[Don't Speak]]". However, whereas "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 play the roles of the characters in both songs.


==Background and writing==
When asked about the song, Stefani responded, "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&mdash;I'm ashamed, I want to say that I did&mdash;but I also know how magical it is that somebody could be so inspired by my song that they write one."{{ref|UnderneathItAll}}
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 good friends. Stefani and Kanal's relationship had provided the inspiration for No Doubt's "[[Don't Speak]]" (1996),<ref name=phenom>"The phenom": Information on the inspiration for "Don't Speak". October 20, 2005. [http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20051020/news_lz1w20stefani.html "Sign on San Diego"]. Retrieved October 20, 2005.</ref> and while "Cool" presents an amicable friendship between former lovers,<ref name=MTV>Vineyard, Jennifer. [[MTV News]]. [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1504440/20050621/stefani_gwen.jhtml?headlines=true "Gwen Stefani's Song About Tony Kanal To Be Her Next Single"]. Retrieved November 28, 2005.</ref> "Don't Speak" is about a failing relationship and never arrives at a solution for the couple.<ref name=phenom/> Stefani and Kanal supply the basis for the characters.


Dallas Austin wrote "Cool" after listening to No Doubt's "[[Underneath It All]]" (2002).<ref name=underneath-it-all>Cohen, Sandy. "'Underneath It All' helped conceive the year's love anthem". ''[[Toronto Star]]''. F1. Retrieved October 15, 2005.</ref> He was unable to finish the song and asked Stefani if she wanted to co-write lyrics.<ref name=underneath-it-all/> During a studio session together, they finished "Cool" in fifteen minutes.<ref name=MTV /> "When he told me about the track and where it came from for him, it just triggered something in me," Stefani said.<ref name=MTV />
The lyrics of "Cool" describe a relationship that ended amicably. As Austin had wanted to write a song about the aftermath of his failed relationship, the lyrics recall a romantic relationship that once existed, from the point of view of someone who has moved past the relationship, with Stefani mentioning that she has found new love. The lyrics suggest a progression through a turbulent time to a mutual understanding that takes their relationship to a level of respect. As the word "[[cool (African philosophy)|cool]]" is one of the most ubiquitous [[colloquialism|slang]] terms in modern Western culture, the frequent use of the word throughout the song provides an easily recognisable affirmation to the song's listeners. Although the word has various applications its use in this song conveys a simple and positive message that the two people are [[okay]] with themselves, and with each other.


Because Austin had wanted to write a song about the aftermath of his failed relationship, the lyrics recall a romantic affiliation from the point of view of one who has moved on from their former lover. Stefani indicates that she is in a new relationship. They suggest a progression "through a turbulent time to an [[understanding]] that takes their relationship to a level of respect.
[[Image:CoolCap3.JPG|248px|right|thumb|The song's lyrics and music video present Stefani as "cool" with her former boyfriend and his girlfriend.]]


Stefani sums up the evolution of their relationship with the line "after all that we've been through, I know we're cool". They are now "hanging out" with his new girlfriend, amid "circles and triangles", while she has married and is pleased that he calls her by her "new last name".
Stefani sums up the evolution of their relationship with the line "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".


Stefani said that she had never intended to include "personal"<ref name=MTV /> material on ''Love. Angel. Music. Baby.'' and commented, "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 name=MTV />
:"And I'll be happy for you
:If you can be happy for me
:Circles and triangles, and now we're
:Hanging out with your new girlfriend"
:"So far from where we've been
:I know we're cool"


"Cool" was featured in the 2006 comedy-drama film ''[[Click (film)|Click]]''.
The lyrics of "Don't Speak" and "Cool" create a timeline of the events that occurred between Gwen Stefani and Tony Kanal during and between the years of 1994 to 2004; this includes their association in the band No Doubt, while maintaining a personal relationship.


==Music and structure==
==Critical response==
"Cool" is a mid-tempo [[love song]] featuring [[New Wave music|New Wave]] production and is composed in [[D major]]. It is written in [[time signature|common time]] and moves at a moderate tempo of 112 [[beats per minute]].<ref name=sheetmusic>Commercial sheet music for "Cool". ''[[EMI]] Music Publishing''. Distributed by Hal Leonard Publishing. Retrieved October 20, 2005.</ref> The song is written in the common [[verse-chorus form]]<ref name=sheetmusic/> and features five instruments: [[bass guitar]], [[drum]]s, [[guitar]], [[keyboard instrument|keyboards]], and [[synthesizer]].<ref name=CD>Unknown (2004). In ''Love. Angel. Music. Baby.'' (CD liner notes). United States: [[Interscope Records]]. Retrieved December 7, 2006.</ref> "Cool" opens with all five instruments, and as Stefani begins singing, the synthesizer is lowered, and the hard-hitting drum [[drum beat|beat]] steadily increases in volume. She performs her highest [[pitch (music)|pitch]] (C#<sub>5</sub>) during the chorus, after which she sings in a softer, almost [[sotto voce|sotto]] voice, and her lowest pitch (E<sub>3</sub>) at the beginning of the verses.


{{Listen|filename=GwenStefaniCool.ogg|title="Cool"|description= The song is composed in D major and features a 1980s musical style with new wave production.|format=[[Ogg]]}}
"Cool" received a generally positive response from music critics. [[LAUNCHcast]]'s Jennifer Nine hailed the song as "a liltingly sweet paean to post-break-up friendships",{{ref|LAUNCHcast}} while ''[[All Music Guide]]'' wrote that the "high school anthem-in-waiting" exuded "sleek, new wave textures."{{ref|AllMusicGuide}} Richard Smirke commented that the song successfully used the same formula as its fellow album tracks "[[What You Waiting For?]]" and "Serious", describing it as a "crisp blend of edgy 21C production and early 80s [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]]-esque pop."{{ref|PlayLouder}}


The synthesizer emulates [[brass instrument|brass]] and [[woodwind]] instruments, while the bass and guitar retain a prominent and regular [[eighth note]] [[pulse (music)|pulse]], using a I-IV-V [[chord progression]] for the verses. In the [[percussion]] section a [[drum kit]] is used, and the [[snare drum|snare]] is introduced at the beginning of the first chorus, which maintains its beat. During the song's fade-out, Stefani repeats "I know we're cool" and "yeah", and she occasionally emphasizes "cool". Her [[vocal range]] covers close to two [[octave]]s.<ref name=sheetmusic/>
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-Gos]] and [[Cyndi Lauper]], but after each chorus there's a string of 'Uh-Oh-Uh-Uh-Oh' backing vocals that sound as if they were lifted straight out of [[Fleetwood Mac]]'s 'Everywhere'", and added "the lyrics immediately ensure it will be sung along to by lonely 16-year-olds."{{ref|PopMatters}} Other reviews commented on the 80s sound of the song, with Bill Lamb of [[About.com]] proclaiming it to be "Gwen's lost Cyndi Lauper tune...[it] has the same warm, reflective feel of major [Lauper] hits in the 80's such as 'Time After Time' and 'All Through the Night'." Lamb also felt that it "doesn't immediately grab attention like her other singles".{{ref|Aboutdotcom}} A note of dissent came from Eric Greenwood, who said the song "is retrofitted with stale synths and chugging guitars to be a feel good, post-break up classic but with dorkier lyrics than even Cyndi Lauper would dare."{{ref|DrawerB}}

==Critical reception==
"Cool" was generally very well-received by contemporary pop music critics. [[LAUNCHcast]]'s Jennifer Nine referred to the song as "a liltingly sweet paean to post-break-up friendships",<ref>Nine, Jennifer. [http://uk.launch.yahoo.com/041125/33/1xcq5.html "Gwen Stefani — 'Love, Angel, Music, Baby'"]. [[LAUNCHcast]]. November 25, 2004. Retrieved October 25, 2005.</ref> while [[Allmusic]] wrote that the "high school anthem-in-waiting" exuded "sleek, new wave textures".<ref>[[Stephen Thomas Erlewine|Erlewine, Stephen Thomas]]. [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:r9hxlfgescqu~T1 "Love.Angel.Music.Baby"]. [[Allmusic]]. Retrieved October 25, 2005.</ref> Richard Smirke of [[PlayLouder]] commented that the song successfully used the same production formula as fellow album tracks "Serious" and "[[What You Waiting For?]]", and described it as a "crisp blend of edgy 21C production and early 80s [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]]-esque pop".<ref>{{cite web|last=Smirke|first=Richard|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20071014055110/http://playlouder.com/review/+loveangelmusicba/|url=http://www.playlouder.com/review/+loveangelmusicba/|title="Love. Angel. Music. Baby."|publisher=[[PlayLouder]]|date=November 23, 2004|accessdate=2010-03-27|archivedate=2007-10-14}}</ref>

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".<ref>Damas, Jason. [http://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/s/stefanigwen-love.shtml "GWEN STEFANI – Love.Angel.Music.Baby."]. [[PopMatters]]. November 29, 2004. Retrieved October 25, 2005.</ref> While ''[[Blender (magazine)|Blender]]'' magazine ranked "Cool" at number forty-five on its list of "The 100 Greatest Songs of 2005",<ref>[http://www.blender.com/guide/articles.aspx?id=1841 "The 100 Greatest Songs of 2005"]. ''[[Blender (magazine)|Blender]]''. January/February 2006. Retrieved June 1, 2006.</ref> Bill Lamb of [[About.com]] felt that it "doesn't immediately grab attention like her other singles".<ref>Lamb, Bill. [http://top40.about.com/od/singles/gr/gwenstefanicool.htm "Gwen Stefani — Cool"]. [[About.com]]. Retrieved October 25, 2005.</ref> and the ''[[Toronto Star]]'' called it "the year's love anthem, but at the cost of its short length and undeniable repetition".<ref name=underneath-it-all/>


==Chart performance==
==Chart performance==
[[Image:CoolGwenStefani1.jpg|thumb|upright|Stefani performing "Cool" on the [[Harajuku Lovers Tour 2005]]]]
{{Unreferenced section|date=February 2010}}
Although "Cool" was officially released to U.S. radio on July 5, 2005, it appeared a week early on ''[[Billboard (magazine)|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|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. The song entered the top twenty on the majority of the ''Billboard'' charts on which it appeared, and its remixes topped the [[Hot Dance Club Songs|Hot Dance Club Play]] chart in mid-November. While "Cool" proved somewhat popular on the [[Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks|Adult Contemporary]] chart, it peaked inside the top five on the [[Hot Adult Top 40 Tracks|Adult Top 40]] format and reached the top ten on the U.S. , a chart unassociated with ''Billboard''.


In Canada "Cool" was officially released to radio on July 13, 2005. The song reached the top five on the Canadian [[Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems|BDS]] airplay chart and remained in the top ten for another month. "Cool" debuted higher on the [[Canadian Singles Chart]] than it did in the U.S. and topped the chart three months later for two weeks, from October 13, 2005. It peaked higher in Canada than "Hollaback Girl"'s predecessor "[[Rich Girl (Gwen Stefani song)|Rich Girl]]", while in the U.S. "Rich Girl" was the single that charted higher.
[[Image:CoolCap2.JPG|245px|left|thumb|The music video includes flashbacks to Stefani and Kanal as their relationship ends.]]


[[Image:CoolGwenStefanitset.jpg|left|thumb|upright|Stefani at the Tweeter Center for the Performing Arts in [[Mansfield, Massachusetts]]]]
Although "Cool" was officially released to radio on [[July 5]], [[2005]] in [[North America]], it charted a week early on the [[Pop 100 Airplay|Billboard Pop 100 Airplay]] chart, debuting within the top fifty. The song later reached number ten, and number nine on its official equivalent, the [[Pop 100|Billboard Pop 100]]. The following week, the song debuted at number eighty-six in its first official week on the [[Billboard Hot 100]], the main U.S. chart. It peaked at number thirteen in its eighth week on the chart, and remained in the top forty until its sixteenth week. "Cool" peaked within the top twenty on the majority of the U.S. [[Billboard magazine|Billboard]] charts on which it appeared, including the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay (the Hot 100's [[component chart]]). However, it only reached number thirty-nine on the [[Adult Contemporary]] chart, its lowest Billboard peak, and did not chart on the [[Dance Radio Airplay]] chart, despite reaching the top five of the [[Hot Dance Music/Club Play]] chart. It also reached the top ten of the [[ARC Weekly Top 40]], a non-Billboard chart.


The song was released in Australia, Europe, and New Zealand on August 22, 2005. "What You Waiting For?" (''Love. Angel. Music. Baby.'''s first single) and "Rich Girl" reached the UK top five, but "Hollaback Girl" had only the top ten. "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 briefly reascended the albums chart again.
The song debuted higher on the Canadian charts than in those of the U.S., entering at number thirty-five. "Cool" moved up the Canadian charts slowly, jumping only to number thirty in its second week. Just over three months after its release, it reached number one on [[October 8]], and remained at number one for the following two weeks. The success of "Cool" in Canada surpassed the peak of "Hollaback Girl"'s predecessor, "[[Rich Girl]]", whereas in the United States, "Rich Girl" peaked higher than "Cool". The differences in the chart positions are often seen due to [[list of countries by population|population]]&mdash;the U.S. population is greater than Canada's tenfold, but despite this, "Cool" was more popular in Canada.


Although "Cool" reached the top ten in the Netherlands and New Zealand, it was a moderate top twenty success in Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Norway. The song peaked at number five on the [[Russian Airplay Chart]], but was not commercially successful in Japan, where it reached number seventy-five on the airplay chart.
After some success in North America, "Cool" was released in Europe and Australia on [[August 22]], [[2005]]. The first two singles from ''Love. Angel. Music. Baby.'', "What You Waiting For?" and "Rich Girl", had both reached number four in the United Kingdom, but "Hollaback Girl", the worldwide hit, had only managed number eight. "Cool" debuted at number eleven to become Stefani's fourth top twenty U.K. single, but it was her first to not peak within the top ten. Stefani's previous singles had charted most strongly in Australia, where "What You Waiting For?" and "Hollaback Girl" both debuted at number one, and "Rich Girl" peaked at number two. "Cool" debuted at number ten before quickly slipping from the top forty, however its widespread airplay and Stefani's concurrent promotional visit to Australia stimulated a resurgence of interest in the ''Love. Angel. Music. Baby'' album, which began to climb the charts again. In [[People's Republic of China|China]] and the [[Netherlands]] the song entered the top five, but it was only a modest hit in [[Germany]], where it reached number twenty.


==Music video==
==Music video==
The song's [[music video]] was directed by [[Sophie Muller]] and filmed in [[Lake Como]], Italy.<ref>Collis, Clark. [http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1562569,00.html "Holla Back"]. ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''. December 1, 2006: issue #909. Retrieved April 11, 2007.</ref> The video follows the song's theme very closely and depicts the relationship that Stefani has with a former boyfriend, who is played by Spanish actor [[Daniel González]]. González and his new girlfriend (played by Tony Kanal's girlfriend, Erin Lokitz) are shown walking to a house. Stefani answers the door, and the three of them are seen in each other's company, with intercut scenes of Stefani singing on a bed. There are brief [[flashback (narrative)|flashback]]s to the time when Stefani and her former boyfriend were dating, where she wears a [[brown hair|brunette]] wig, representing her younger self (her natural brown hair has not been seen since she was in ninth grade).<ref>Toht, Betony. [http://www.instyle.com/instyle/celebrities/transformation/0,23460,1048009_1,00.html "Transformation"]. ''[[In Style]]''. Retrieved April 28, 2007.</ref> Flashbacks and modern day are linked with [[match cut]] cinematography. The lyrical theme of "Cool" is maintained in the video, [[film frame|frame]]s are incorporated to portray Stefani feeling "cool". She is depicted as "cool" with her former boyfriend and his girlfriend throughout most of the video.


[[Image:CoolCap1.JPG|245px|left|thumb|The music video expands upon the themes in the song by showing that at moments, Stefani is actually "uncool".]]
[[Image:CoolCap1.jpg|thumb|The music video includes [[match cut]] flashbacks to Stefani's relationship as it comes to an end]]


The video showcases the scenery of [[Como]]'s forests, lakes and restaurants and was the first from ''Love. Angel. Music. Baby.'' not to include Stefani's [[Harajuku Girls]], who were present throughout the majority of the album's promotion. The complete version of "Cool" featured in the music video was released commercially on CD single and digital download formats and introduced an [[orchestra]]l arrangement that differs from the original 1980s composition on ''Love. Angel. Music. Baby''.
The [[music video]] for "Cool" was directed by [[Sophie Muller]], and was shot in [[Lake Como]], [[Italy]]. It follows the theme of the song very closely, showing the relationship that Stefani has with her former boyfriend, Tony Kanal, who is played by Daniel Gonzalez. Gonzalez is seen walking with his girlfriend (who is played by 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 (furniture)|bed]]. There are brief [[flashback (literary technique)|flashbacks]] to the time when Stefani and Kanal were dating, where she wears a brunette wig, representing her younger self, as her natural brown hair has not been seen since she was twelve-years-old. Although the lyrical theme of "Cool" is maintained within the video, shots are also incorporated to show Stefani feeling "uncool". For the majority of the video, she is shown as being "cool" with her former boyfriend and his girlfriend, but there are also moments where she thinks about the past when she was dating Kanal, and is depicted as uncomfortable.


"Cool" premiered on [[MTV]]'s top ten chart program ''[[Total Request Live]]'' on June 30, 2005,<ref name=TRL>[http://web.archive.org/web/20070328230909/http://host17.hrwebservices.net/~atrl/trlarchive/db.html "The TRL Archive — Debuts"]. PopFusion. Retrieved January 30, 2007.</ref> where it reached number three.<ref name=TRL/> After its July 8 debut on [[MuchMusic]]'s ''[[Countdown (MuchMusic TV series)|Countdown]]'', it reached number one for the week of October 7.<ref>''#1s''. [[MuchMusic]] programming. Original airdate: October 2006. Retrieved January 30, 2007.</ref> "Cool" debuted and peaked at number nine on [[LAUNCHcast]]'s top one hundred most-watched videos for the week of July 23.<ref>[[LAUNCHcast]]. [http://music.yahoo.com/ "Top 100"]. Retrieved January 30, 2007.</ref>
The video showcases the scenery of Lake Como's [[restaurant]]s, [[forest]]s, and [[lake]]s. It is also the first video of Stefani's that does not feature her [[Harajuku|Harajuku Girls]], who were present throughout most of the promotion of ''Love. Angel. Music. Baby''. The complete version of "Cool" heard in the music video has not been released commercially and features an [[orchestra]]l arrangement that differs from the 1980s musical style of the single or album versions. "Cool" premiered on top-ten music video chart program ''[[Total Request Live]]'' on [[June 30]], 2005, reaching a peak of number two, and also peaked at number two on [[VH1]]'s ''Top 20 Video Countdown''. After debuting at number thirty on [[MuchMusic]]'s ''Countdown'', it climbed to number one for a single week three months later.


==Track listing==
==Formats and track listings==
;U.S. CD single
These are the formats and track listings of major single releases of "Cool". For reasons that have not been confirmed, the U.S. digital single was deleted from [[iTunes]] and other online music stores shortly after its release. It was the first digital single to ever be deleted.
#"Cool" (Album Version) – 3:09
#"Cool" ([[Photek]] Remix) – 5:19
#"[[Hollaback Girl]]" Dancehollaback Remix by [[Tony Kanal]] featuring [[Elan Atias]] – 6:53
#"Cool" (Video) – 4:06


===U.S. digital single===
==Credits and personnel==
{{Unreferenced section|date=January 2010}}
#"Cool (Photek Remix)"
{{col-begin}}
#"Cool (Richard X Remix)"
{{col-2}}

*Lead [[singing|vocals]]: Gwen Stefani
===International CD single===
*[[audio mixing (recorded music)|Audio mixing]]: Mark "Spike" Stent
#"Cool (Album Version)"
*[[Bass guitar]]: Tony Reyes
#"Cool (Photek Remix)"
*[[drum kit|Drums]]: Dallas Austin
#"Hollaback Girl (Dancehollaback Remix by Tony Kanal)"
*[[audio engineering|Engineers]]: Caesar Guevara, Doug Harms, Kevin Mills
#"Cool" (CD-ROM music video)
*[[Guitar]]: Tony Reyes

{{col-2}}
==Sample==
*[[keyboard instrument|Keyboard]]s: André 3000, Dallas Austin
{{multi-listen start}}
*[[record producer|Producer]]: Dallas Austin
{{multi-listen item|filename=GwenStefaniCool.ogg|title=Thirty second sample of "Cool"|description=|format=[[Ogg]]}}
*Additional production: Nellee Hooper

*[[programming (music)|Programmer]]: Jason Lader
{{multi-listen end}}
*[[synthesizer]]: Tony Kanal
*Recorded at DARP Studios in Atlanta, Georgia and at O'Henry Sound Studios in Burbank, California, U.S.
{{col-end}}


==Charts==
==Charts==
{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}
[[Image:Gwen Stefani Cool chart trajectories.jpg|325px|thumb|right|Week-by-week chart positions (click image to view data in tabular form). "Cool" peaked at number thirteen in the U.S., and reached number one in Canada.]]
{|class="wikitable sortable"

{| {{prettytable}}
!align="center"|Chart
!align="center"|Position (2005)
|-
|-
! style="text-align:center;"|Chart (2005)
|align="left"|U.S. Singles Chart
|align="center"|#13
! style="text-align:center;"|Peak<br />position
|-
|-
|align="left"|[[ARIA Charts|Australian Singles Chart]]<ref name="acharts">{{cite web |url=http://acharts.us/song/851 |title=Gwen Stefani – Cool – Music Charts |work=αCharts.us |accessdate=January 6, 2010}}</ref>
|align="left"|U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Airplay
|align="center"|#19
| style="text-align:center;"|10
|-
|-
|align="left"|[[Ö3 Austria Top 40|Austrian Singles Chart]]<ref name="acharts"/>
|align="left"|U.S. Pop 100
|align="center"|#9
| style="text-align:center;"|15
|-
|-
|align="left"|U.S. Pop 100 Airplay
|align="left"|[[Ultratop 50|Belgian Singles Chart]] (Flanders)<ref name="acharts"/>
|align="center"|#10
| style="text-align:center;"|36
|-
|-
|align="left"|[[Ultratop 40|Belgian Tip Chart]] (Wallonia)<ref name="ultratop">{{cite web |url=http://www.ultratop.be/en/showitem.asp?interpret=Gwen+Stefani&titel=Cool&cat=s |title=ultratop.be – Gwen Stefani – Cool |work=[[Ultratop]] |accessdate=January 6, 2010}}</ref>
|align="left"|U.S. Hot Digital Songs
|align="center"|#12
| style="text-align:center;"|2
|-
|-
|align="left"|U.S. Hot Digital Tracks
|align="left"|[[Canadian Singles Chart]]
|align="center"|#10
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|-
|-
|align="left"|U.S. Top 40 Mainstream
|align="left"|[[Tracklisten|Danish Singles Chart]]<ref name="acharts"/>
|align="center"|#9
| style="text-align:center;"|14
|-
|-
|align="left"|U.S. Hot Dance Music/Club Play*
|align="left"|[[Dutch Top 40]]<ref name="acharts"/>
|align="center"|#4
| style="text-align:center;"|6
|-
|-
|align="left"|[[European Hot 100 Singles]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/gwen-stefani/chart-history/239085?f=349&g=Singles |title=Gwen Stefani Album & Song Chart History – European Hot 100 |work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |publisher=[[Nielsen Company|Nielsen Business Media, Inc.]] |accessdate=January 6, 2010}}</ref>
|align="left"|U.S. Adult Top 40
|align="center"|#4
| style="text-align:center;"|26
|-
|-
|align="left"|U.S. Adult Contemporary
|align="left"|[[YLE|Finnish Singles Chart]]<ref name="acharts"/>
|align="center"|#39
| style="text-align:center;"|18
|-
|-
|align="left"|[[Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique|French Singles Chart]]<ref name="acharts"/>
|align="left"|U.S. ARC Weekly Top 40
|align="center"|#6
| style="text-align:center;"|32
|-
|-
|align="left"|Canadian Singles Chart
|align="left"|[[Media Control Charts|German Singles Chart]]<ref name="acharts"/>
|align="center"|#1
| style="text-align:center;"|20
|-
|-
|align="left"|[[Mahasz|Hungarian Airplay Chart]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mahasz.hu/m/?menu=slagerlistak&menu2=archivum&lista=radios&ev=2005&het=43&submit_=Keresés |title=Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista – 2005. 43. hét |work=[[Mahasz]] |language=Hungarian |accessdate=January 6, 2010}}</ref>
|align="left"|U.K. Singles Chart
|align="center"|#11
| style="text-align:center;"|12
|}
{{col-2}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|-
! style="text-align:center;"|Chart (2005)
|align="left"|Australian [[Australian Record Industry Association|ARIA]] Singles Chart
|align="center"|#10
! style="text-align:center;"|Peak<br />position
|-
|-
|align="left"|Chinese Singles Chart
|align="left"|[[Irish Singles Chart]]<ref name="acharts"/>
|align="center"|#3
| style="text-align:center;"|12
|-
|-
|align="left"|German Singles Chart
|align="left"|[[Federation of the Italian Music Industry|Italian Singles Chart]]<ref name="ultratop"/>
|align="center"|#20
| style="text-align:center;"|15
|-
|-
|align="left"|Netherlands Singles Chart
|align="left"|[[Recording Industry Association of New Zealand|New Zealand Singles Chart]]<ref name="acharts"/>
|align="center"|#4
| style="text-align:center;"|9
|-
|-
|align="left"|Slovak Republic Airplay Chart
|align="left"|[[VG-lista|Norwegian Singles Chart]]<ref name="acharts"/>
|align="center"|#1
| style="text-align:center;"|16
|-
|-
|align="left"|[[Russian Airplay Chart]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tophitru.com/cgi-bin/trackinfo.cgi?id=3599 |title=Gwen Stefani – Cool – TopHit.ru |work=TopHit.ru |accessdate=January 6, 2010}}</ref>
|align="left"|World Chart Show
|align="center"|#1
| style="text-align:center;"|5
|-
|align="left"|[[Swiss Music Charts|Swiss Singles Chart]]<ref name="acharts"/>
| style="text-align:center;"|24
|-
|align="left"|[[UK Singles Chart]]<ref name="acharts"/>
| style="text-align:center;"|11
|-
|align="left"|U.S. [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]<ref name="AMG">{{cite web |url=http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:g9fuxqrsldhe~T31 |title=Love.Angel.Music.Baby. > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles |work=[[Allmusic]] |accessdate=August 1, 2007}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|13
|-
|align="left"|U.S. ''Billboard'' [[Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks|Adult Contemporary]]<ref name="AMG"/>
| style="text-align:center;"|23
|-
|align="left"|U.S. ''Billboard'' [[Hot Dance Club Songs|Hot Dance Club Play]]<ref name="AMG"/>
*Photek/Richard X remixes
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|-
|align="left"|U.S. ''Billboard'' [[Pop 100]]<ref name="AMG"/>
| style="text-align:center;"|9
|}
|}
{{col-end}}


===Year-end charts===
<nowiki>*</nowiki> (Richard X/Photek Mixes).
{|class="wikitable"
|-
! style="text-align:center;"|Chart (2005)
! style="text-align:center;"|Peak<br />position
|-
|align="left"|[[UK Singles Chart]]<ref>http://www.chartsplus.co.uk/ChartsPlusYE2005.pdf</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|124
|-
|align="left"|U.S. [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vnuemedia.com/bb/biz/yearendcharts/2005/hsititl.jsp|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080624223934/http://www.vnuemedia.com/bb/biz/yearendcharts/2005/hsititl.jsp|title=Billboard 2005 Year End Charts - Hot 100 songs|publisher=Billboard Music Charts|archivedate=2008-06-24|accessdate=2010-03-27}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|76
|-
|align="left"|U.S. ''Billboard'' [[Pop 100]]
| style="text-align:center;"|57
|}

===Chart procession and succession===
{{s-start}}
{{succession box
| before = "[[Don't Cha]]" by [[Pussycat Dolls]] featuring [[Busta Rhymes]]
| title = [[Canadian Singles Chart]] [[List of Canadian number-one singles of 2001–07#2005|number-one single]]
| years = October 15, 2005 – October 22, 2005
| after = "[[Alive (Melissa O'Neil song)|Alive]]" by [[Melissa O'Neil]]
}}
{{succession box
| before = "[[Precious (Depeche Mode song)|Precious]]" by [[Depeche Mode]]
| title = U.S. [[Hot Dance Club Songs|''Billboard'' Hot Dance Club Play]] [[Number-one dance hits of 2005 (USA)|number-one single]]
| years = November 12, 2005
| after = "[[Hung Up]]" by [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]]
}}
{{end}}

==Release history==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Region
! Date
|-
| United States
| {{start date|2005|5|1}}
|-
| World
| {{start date|2005|8}}
|}


==Notes==
==Notes==
{{reflist|2}}
#<small> {{note|UnderneathItAll}} [http://www.nodoubtweb.com/disco/cool/cool.htm Cool]. NoDoubtWeb.com. Retrieved Oct. 25, 2005.</small>
#<small> {{note|LAUNCHcast}} Nine, Jennifer. [http://uk.launch.yahoo.com/041125/33/1xcq5.html Gwen Stefani - 'Love, Angel, Music, Baby']. [[LAUNCHcast]]. November 25, 2004. Retrieved Oct. 25, 2005.</small>
#<small> {{note|AllMusicGuide}} Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:r9hxlfgescqu~T1 Love.Angel.Music.Baby]. ''[[All Music Guide]]''. Retrieved Oct. 25, 2005.</small>
#<small> {{note|PlayLouder}} Smirke, Richard. [http://www.playlouder.com/review/+loveangelmusicba/ Love. Angel. Music. Baby.]. ''PlayLouder''. November 23, 2004. Retrieved Oct. 25, 2005.</small>
#<small> {{note|PopMatters}} Damas, Jason. [http://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/s/stefanigwen-love.shtml GWEN STEFANI - Love.Angel.Music.Baby.]. ''PopMatters''. November 29, 2004. Retrieved Oct. 25, 2005.</small>
#<small> {{note|Aboutdotcom}} Lamb, Bill.[http://top40.about.com/od/singles/gr/gwenstefanicool.htm Gwen Stefani - Cool]. [[About.com]]. Retrieved Oct. 25, 2005.</small>
#<small> {{note|DrawerB}} Greenwood, Eric. [http://www.drawerb.com/features/1106173438.htm Gwen Stefani - Love Angel Music Baby]. ''DrawerB''. Retrieved Oct. 25, 2005.</small>


==References==
==References==
*[http://www.aria.com.au/ "Australian Recording Industry Association"]. ''Australian airplay and sales charts''. Retrieved October 19, 2005.
*"70 Countries Worldwide Number 1 Hit Singles, week of October 21" (2005). ''Charly-1300.'' Retrieved from http://charly1300.site.voila.fr/planetcharts.htm on October 17, 2005.
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/chart/singles.shtml "BBC: The Official UK Charts Company"]. ''United Kingdom sales chart''. Retrieved October 19, 2005.
*Jeckell, Barry A., managing ed. (2005). ''Billboard.com.'' Retrieved from http://www.billboard.com on October 14, 2005. Information from ''Billboard'' magazine charts.
*[http://billboard.com/ "''Billboard''"]. Billboard ''Hot 100 airplay and sales charts''. Retrieved October 19, 2005.
*(2005). ''[[MuchMusic]].com''. Retrieved from http://www.muchmusic.com on October 14, 2005. MuchMusic countdown data.
*Commercial sheet music for "Cool". ''[[EMI]] Music Publishing''. Distributed by Hal Leonard Publishing. Retrieved October 20, 2005.
*"Cool". ''No Doubt Web.com''. Retrieved from http://www.nodoubtweb.com/disco/cool/cool.htm on October 15, 2005. Stefani discusses Dallas Austin's inspiration from "Underneath It All".
*[http://jam.canoe.ca/ "''Jam'' Canoe"]. ''Canadian airplay and sales charts''. Retrieved October 19, 2005.
*"No Doubt" (Oct. 19, 2005). ''Rock on the Net''. ARC Weekly Top 40 information.
*Vineyard, Jennifer. [[MTV News]]. [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1504440/20050621/stefani_gwen.jhtml?headlines=true "Gwen Stefani's Song About Tony Kanal To Be Her Next Single"]. Retrieved November 28, 2005.
*(2005). ''Top40-Charts.com.'' Retrieved from http://top40-charts.com on October 14, 2005. International charting information.
*Rainey, Billy; Vineyard, Jennifer. [[MTV News]]. [http://www.mtv.com/bands/s/stefani_gwen/news_feature_112204/ "Gwen Stefani: Scared Solo (2004/2005)"]. Retrieved October 15, 2005.
*"The phenom" (Oct. 20, 2005). Varga, George. ''[[San Diego Union-Tribune]]''. Retrieved from http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20051020/news_lz1w20stefani.html on October 25, 2005. Information on the inspiration for "Don't Speak".
*[http://www.oricon.co.jp/ "''Oricon''"]. ''Japanese airplay and sales chart''. Retrieved October 19, 2005.
*"The phenom": Information on the inspiration for "Don't Speak". October 20, 2005. [http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20051020/news_lz1w20stefani.html "Sign on San Diego"]. Retrieved October 20, 2005.
*Cohen, Sandy. "'Underneath It All' helped conceive the year's love anthem". ''[[Toronto Star]]''. F1. Retrieved October 15, 2005.


==External link==
==External links==
*[http://www.gwenstefani.com/main/# GwenStefani.com] &mdash; official site.
* [http://www.gwenstefani.com/ Gwen Stefani's official website]
{{Gwen Stefani}}

[[Category:Gwen Stefani songs]]
[[Category:2004 songs]]
[[Category:2005 singles]]
[[Category:2005 singles]]
[[Category:Pop songs]]
[[Category:Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs number-one singles]]
[[Category:Canadian number one singles]]
[[Category:Canadian Singles Chart number-one singles]]
[[Category:Gwen Stefani songs]]
[[Category:Music videos directed by Sophie Muller]]
[[Category:Songs produced by Dallas Austin]]
[[Category:Songs written by Dallas Austin]]
[[Category:Songs written by Gwen Stefani]]

[[es:Cool (canción)]]
[[fr:Cool (chanson)]]
[[io:Cool (kansono)]]
[[it:Cool (singolo)]]
[[nl:Cool (Gwen Stefani)]]
[[pl:Cool (singel)]]
[[pt:Cool]]
[[ro:Cool (single)]]
[[sv:Cool (låt)]]
[[tr:Cool (şarkı)]]

Revision as of 18:05, 13 April 2010

"Cool"
Song

"Cool" is a pop rock song written by Gwen 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 and New Wave 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 the media have drawn parallels between the song's lyrical content and the romantic relationship that Stefani had with Tony Kanal, a fellow group member of No Doubt.

The song was released as the album's fourth single in mid-2005 and entered the top twenty of the majority of the charts it appeared on. Although "Cool" failed to match the success of its predecessor "Hollaback Girl", it reached number one in Canada.

Background and writing

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 good friends. Stefani and Kanal's relationship had provided the inspiration for No Doubt's "Don't Speak" (1996),[1] and while "Cool" presents an amicable friendship between former lovers,[2] "Don't Speak" is about a failing relationship and never arrives at a solution for the couple.[1] Stefani and Kanal supply the basis for the characters.

Dallas Austin wrote "Cool" after listening to No Doubt's "Underneath It All" (2002).[3] He was unable to finish the song and asked Stefani if she wanted to co-write lyrics.[3] During a studio session together, they finished "Cool" in fifteen minutes.[2] "When he told me about the track and where it came from for him, it just triggered something in me," Stefani said.[2]

Because Austin had wanted to write a song about the aftermath of his failed relationship, the lyrics recall a romantic affiliation from the point of view of one who has moved on from their former lover. Stefani indicates that she is in a new relationship. They suggest a progression "through a turbulent time to an understanding that takes their relationship to a level of respect.

Stefani sums up the evolution of their relationship with the line "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".

Stefani said that she had never intended to include "personal"[2] material on Love. Angel. Music. Baby. and commented, "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."[2]

"Cool" was featured in the 2006 comedy-drama film Click.

Music and structure

"Cool" is a mid-tempo love song featuring New Wave production and is composed in D major. It is written in common time and moves at a moderate tempo of 112 beats per minute.[4] The song is written in the common verse-chorus form[4] and features five instruments: bass guitar, drums, guitar, keyboards, and synthesizer.[5] "Cool" opens with all five instruments, and as Stefani begins singing, the synthesizer is lowered, and the hard-hitting drum beat steadily increases in volume. She performs her highest pitch (C#5) during the chorus, after which she sings in a softer, almost sotto voice, and her lowest pitch (E3) at the beginning of the verses.

"Cool"
The song is composed in D major and features a 1980s musical style with new wave production.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

The synthesizer emulates brass and woodwind instruments, while the bass and guitar retain a prominent and regular eighth note pulse, using a I-IV-V chord progression for the verses. In the percussion section a drum kit is used, and the snare is introduced at the beginning of the first chorus, which maintains its beat. During the song's fade-out, Stefani repeats "I know we're cool" and "yeah", and she occasionally emphasizes "cool". Her vocal range covers close to two octaves.[4]

Critical reception

"Cool" was generally very well-received by contemporary pop music critics. LAUNCHcast's Jennifer Nine referred to the song as "a liltingly sweet paean to post-break-up friendships",[6] while Allmusic wrote that the "high school anthem-in-waiting" exuded "sleek, new wave textures".[7] Richard Smirke of PlayLouder commented that the song successfully used the same production formula as 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".[8]

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".[9] While Blender magazine ranked "Cool" at number forty-five on its list of "The 100 Greatest Songs of 2005",[10] Bill Lamb of About.com felt that it "doesn't immediately grab attention like her other singles".[11] and the Toronto Star called it "the year's love anthem, but at the cost of its short length and undeniable repetition".[3]

Chart performance

Stefani performing "Cool" on the Harajuku Lovers Tour 2005

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 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. The song entered the top twenty on the majority of the Billboard charts on which it appeared, and its remixes topped the Hot Dance Club Play chart in mid-November. While "Cool" proved somewhat popular on the Adult Contemporary chart, it peaked inside the top five on the Adult Top 40 format and reached the top ten on the U.S. , a chart unassociated with Billboard.

In Canada "Cool" was officially released to radio on July 13, 2005. The song reached the top five on the Canadian BDS airplay chart and remained in the top ten for another month. "Cool" debuted higher on the Canadian Singles Chart than it did in the U.S. and topped the chart three months later for two weeks, from October 13, 2005. It peaked higher in Canada than "Hollaback Girl"'s predecessor "Rich Girl", while in the U.S. "Rich Girl" was the single that charted higher.

Stefani at the Tweeter Center for the Performing Arts in Mansfield, Massachusetts

The song was released in Australia, Europe, and New Zealand on August 22, 2005. "What You Waiting For?" (Love. Angel. Music. Baby.'s first single) and "Rich Girl" reached the UK top five, but "Hollaback Girl" had only the top ten. "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 briefly reascended the albums chart again.

Although "Cool" reached the top ten in the Netherlands and New Zealand, it was a moderate top twenty success in Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Norway. The song peaked at number five on the Russian Airplay Chart, but was not commercially successful in Japan, where it reached number seventy-five on the airplay chart.

Music video

The song's music video was directed by Sophie Muller and filmed in Lake Como, Italy.[12] The video follows the song's theme very closely and depicts the relationship that Stefani has with a former boyfriend, who is played by Spanish actor Daniel González. González and his new girlfriend (played by Tony Kanal's girlfriend, Erin Lokitz) are shown walking to a house. Stefani answers the door, and the three of them are seen in each other's company, with intercut scenes of Stefani singing on a bed. There are brief flashbacks to the time when Stefani and her former boyfriend were dating, where she wears a brunette wig, representing her younger self (her natural brown hair has not been seen since she was in ninth grade).[13] Flashbacks and modern day are linked with match cut cinematography. The lyrical theme of "Cool" is maintained in the video, frames are incorporated to portray Stefani feeling "cool". She is depicted as "cool" with her former boyfriend and his girlfriend throughout most of the video.

The music video includes match cut flashbacks to Stefani's relationship as it comes to an end

The video showcases the scenery of Como's forests, lakes and restaurants and was the first from Love. Angel. Music. Baby. not to include Stefani's Harajuku Girls, who were present throughout the majority of the album's promotion. The complete version of "Cool" featured in the music video was released commercially on CD single and digital download formats and introduced an orchestral arrangement that differs from the original 1980s composition on Love. Angel. Music. Baby.

"Cool" premiered on MTV's top ten chart program Total Request Live on June 30, 2005,[14] where it reached number three.[14] After its July 8 debut on MuchMusic's Countdown, it reached number one for the week of October 7.[15] "Cool" debuted and peaked at number nine on LAUNCHcast's top one hundred most-watched videos for the week of July 23.[16]

Track listing

U.S. CD single
  1. "Cool" (Album Version) – 3:09
  2. "Cool" (Photek Remix) – 5:19
  3. "Hollaback Girl" Dancehollaback Remix by Tony Kanal featuring Elan Atias – 6:53
  4. "Cool" (Video) – 4:06

Credits and personnel

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (2005) Peak
position
UK Singles Chart[23] 124
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[24] 76
U.S. Billboard Pop 100 57

Chart procession and succession

Preceded by Canadian Singles Chart number-one single
October 15, 2005 – October 22, 2005 		Succeeded by
Preceded by U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play number-one single
November 12, 2005 		Succeeded by

Release history

Region Date
United States May 1, 2005 (2005-05-01)
World August 2005 (2005-08)

Notes

  1. ^ a b "The phenom": Information on the inspiration for "Don't Speak". October 20, 2005. "Sign on San Diego". Retrieved October 20, 2005.
  2. ^ a b c d e Vineyard, Jennifer. MTV News. "Gwen Stefani's Song About Tony Kanal To Be Her Next Single". Retrieved November 28, 2005.
  3. ^ a b c Cohen, Sandy. "'Underneath It All' helped conceive the year's love anthem". Toronto Star. F1. Retrieved October 15, 2005.
  4. ^ a b c Commercial sheet music for "Cool". EMI Music Publishing. Distributed by Hal Leonard Publishing. Retrieved October 20, 2005.
  5. ^ Unknown (2004). In Love. Angel. Music. Baby. (CD liner notes). United States: Interscope Records. Retrieved December 7, 2006.
  6. ^ Nine, Jennifer. "Gwen Stefani — 'Love, Angel, Music, Baby'". LAUNCHcast. November 25, 2004. Retrieved October 25, 2005.
  7. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Love.Angel.Music.Baby". Allmusic. Retrieved October 25, 2005.
  8. ^ Smirke, Richard (November 23, 2004). ""Love. Angel. Music. Baby."". PlayLouder. Archived from the original on 2007-10-14. Retrieved 2010-03-27.
  9. ^ Damas, Jason. "GWEN STEFANI – Love.Angel.Music.Baby.". PopMatters. November 29, 2004. Retrieved October 25, 2005.
  10. ^ "The 100 Greatest Songs of 2005". Blender. January/February 2006. Retrieved June 1, 2006.
  11. ^ Lamb, Bill. "Gwen Stefani — Cool". About.com. Retrieved October 25, 2005.
  12. ^ Collis, Clark. "Holla Back". Entertainment Weekly. December 1, 2006: issue #909. Retrieved April 11, 2007.
  13. ^ Toht, Betony. "Transformation". In Style. Retrieved April 28, 2007.
  14. ^ a b "The TRL Archive — Debuts". PopFusion. Retrieved January 30, 2007.
  15. ^ #1s. MuchMusic programming. Original airdate: October 2006. Retrieved January 30, 2007.
  16. ^ LAUNCHcast. "Top 100". Retrieved January 30, 2007.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Gwen Stefani – Cool – Music Charts". αCharts.us. Retrieved January 6, 2010.
  18. ^ a b "ultratop.be – Gwen Stefani – Cool". Ultratop. Retrieved January 6, 2010.
  19. ^ "Gwen Stefani Album & Song Chart History – European Hot 100". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved January 6, 2010.
  20. ^ "Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista – 2005. 43. hét". Mahasz (in Hungarian). Retrieved January 6, 2010.
  21. ^ "Gwen Stefani – Cool – TopHit.ru". TopHit.ru. Retrieved January 6, 2010.
  22. ^ a b c d "Love.Angel.Music.Baby. > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles". Allmusic. Retrieved August 1, 2007.
  23. ^ http://www.chartsplus.co.uk/ChartsPlusYE2005.pdf
  24. ^ "Billboard 2005 Year End Charts - Hot 100 songs". Billboard Music Charts. Archived from the original on 2008-06-24. Retrieved 2010-03-27.

References

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cool_(Gwen_Stefani_song)&oldid=355796995"