Kool Thing is a song by Sonic Youth, released in June 19, 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. 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.
Tracklist:
- Kool Thing (LP version)
- That’s All I Know (Right Now)
- Dirty Boots (Rock & Roll Heaven version)
- Kool Thing (8 track demo version)
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.
Sonic Youth
Thurston Moore: guitar, production
Lee Ranaldo: guitar, vocals, production
Kim Gordon: vocals, bass guitar, production
Steve Shelley: drums, percussion, production
Guest musicians
Chuck D: additional vocals
Technical
Nick Sansano: production, recording, additional percussion
Ron Saint Germain: production, engineering, mixing
Nick Sansano: additional engineering
Dan Wood: assistant engineering
John Herman: assistant engineering
Judy Kirschner: assistant engineering
Howie Weinberg: mastering
