| "Cool" | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single by Gwen Stefani | ||
| From the album Love. Angel. Music. Baby. | ||
| Single Released | 2005 | |
| Single Format | N/A | |
| Genre | Pop | |
| Song Length | 3:09 | |
| Record Label | Interscope | |
| Writers | Gwen Stefani Dallas Austin | |
| Producers | Dallas Austin | |
| Video Director |
Sophie Muller | |
| Certification | N/A | |
| Chart Positions | #86 US #30 CAN | |
| Single Chronology | ||
| "Hollaback Girl" 2005 |
"Cool" 2005 |
- |
"Cool" is the fourth single from Love. Angel. Music. Baby., the debut solo album by Gwen Stefani, released during the third quarter of 2005. It has so far reached a peak of eighty-six in the United States, and thirty in Canada.
Theme and influence
The single was co-written by Stefani and Dallas Austin, and produced by Dallas Austin. In a song heavily inspired by the 1980s, Stefani looks back at her past relationship with No Doubt bassist Tony Kanal. Although they will never be a couple again, and their past problems led to drama, Gwen finds it "cool" that although they have gone their separate ways romantically, they still remain very good and close friends.
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 – I'm ashamed, I want to say that I did – but I also know how magical it is that somebody could be so inspired by my song that they write one."
Chart success
The song was officially released to Mainstream Top 40 radio on July 5, 2005. For the week ending June 25, 2005 it was the highest entry (number forty-four) on the Billboard Pop 100 Airplay chart, beating "Ass Like That" by Eminem (forty-seven), and "Speed of Sound" by Coldplay (forty-eight). The highest that it has so far reached is twenty-six.
Music video
The music video for "Cool", directed by Sophie Muller, was first shown on Total Request Live on June 30, 2005. The video follows the theme of the song very closely, and shows the relationship that Stefani has with her ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend. The video shows the three of them as the best of friends. The video was also showcases the beautiful scenery of Lake Como in Italy, where it was filmed.
Comprehensive charts
- United States charts
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | "Cool" | Billboard Hot 100 | #86 |
| 2005 | "Cool" | Pop 100 | #42 |
| 2005 | "Cool" | Pop 100 Airplay | #26 |
| 2005 | "Cool" | Mainstream Top 40 | #30 |
- International charts
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | "Cool" | Canadian Singles Chart | #30 |