Kool Thing

Infobox Single
Name = Kool Thing


Artist = Sonic Youth
from Album = Goo
B-side = "That's All I Know (Right Now)", "Dirty Boots (Rock and Roll Heaven version)", "Kool Thing (8-track demo version)"
Released = June 1990
Format = 7", 12", CD single
Recorded =
Genre = Alternative rock
Length =
Label = DGC
Writer = Sonic Youth
Producer =
Last single = Touch Me I'm Sick (1989)
This single = "Kool Thing" (1990)
Next single = "Disappearer" (1990)"Kool Thing" was the first major label single from Sonic Youth's 1990 album "Goo". It was released in June 1990 on DGC. Although he is never mentioned by name, the song's lyrics contain several references to LL Cool J. Kim Gordon's lyrics make reference to several of the rapper's works, including the single "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.The song is still widely believed to be Sonic Youth's biggest hit, due to great reception of critics and record sales.

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 project.

Music video

The music video for "Kool Thing" was the band's first for a major label. The video was directed by Tamra Davis. 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.

The video was released June 4th, 1990

ingles chart

In pop culture

* It is featured in the video game "" and available as downloadable content for the video game "Rock Band".
* It is featured in the video game "".
* The video features Chuck D of Public Enemy.
* The song was artistically used in the Hal Hartley film "Simple Men".