Music Review: Gwen Stefani "Cool"
Gwen Stefani
from 
JoeUser Forums
JoeUser Forums
Cool
Album: Love, Angel, Music, Baby
Year: 2005
After a painful breakup, Gwen Stefani and her ex-boyfriend are now close friends in the sublime ballad "Cool."
Retro 80s-tinged keyboards which a modern electro touch open the single, creating an affectionate tone.
Stefani can't remember the hurt she felt anymore. The bitterness is long gone. She's moved on and married. Having a partner has made it easier for her to become friends with her ex. She has a good life with her husband and wouldn't want anyone but him. ("It's hard to remember how it felt before/Now I found the love of my life/Passes things get more comfortable/Everything is going right.")
In the chorus, she congratulates him on his new girlfriend and wishes them well. They've loved and hated each other at various points but have found common ground. They've reconciled and are able to put their history behind them. ("And after all the obstacles/
It's good to see you now with someone else/And it's such a miracle that you and me are still good friends/After all that we've been through/I know we're cool.")
In the second verse, they thought they would go on fighting. However, they talk and respect each other. He refers to her as Mrs. Rossdale, although not too long he wished it was his last name she would have. For her, it feels like they never even dated. Time has dissolved the intial sting of the break-up. ("We used to think it was impossible/Now you call me by my new last name/Memories seem like so long ago/Time always kills the pain.")
In the chorus, she mentions how they grew up in Harbor Boulevard. According to the numerous hotel listings on Google, is located within Anaheim and near Disneyland. In Anaheim, they spoke of their dream of being in a popular band that will have music videos play on MTV. The children they remember walking down the street are now adults, visiting their families in their old neighborhood. Although they are adults, they are still similar to their young selves. ("Remember Harbor Boulevard/The dreaming days where the mess was made/Look how all the kids have grown/We have changed but we're still the same/After all that we've been through/I know we're cool.")
In the bridge, she promises to support him if he does the same for her. They've been involved in their own O.C.-esque dramas, complete with love triangles. However, she and Rossdale now go out to dinner and watch television with her ex and his girlfriend. They've come a long way but it was worth it. ("And I'll be happy for you/If you can be happy for me/Circles and triangles, and now we're hangin' out with your new girlfriend/So far from where we've been/I know we're cool.")
Instrumentation of the chorus ends the single.
The confessional "Cool" is Stefani's best single from the her album. The annoying self-promotion and product placement of her "Harajuki Girls" that marred her first two single is gone. In its place is Stefani at her most authentic. She likes to talk about her life and the conflicts she faces ( i.e. "Ex-Girlfriend" and "Bathwater ") For most singers, it usually comes as whiny an and self-pitying. However, Stefani was someone who was unafraid to talk about her flaws or selfishness. In "Cool," she finally becomes human again and not a living advertisement.
Album: Love, Angel, Music, Baby
Year: 2005
After a painful breakup, Gwen Stefani and her ex-boyfriend are now close friends in the sublime ballad "Cool."
Retro 80s-tinged keyboards which a modern electro touch open the single, creating an affectionate tone.
Stefani can't remember the hurt she felt anymore. The bitterness is long gone. She's moved on and married. Having a partner has made it easier for her to become friends with her ex. She has a good life with her husband and wouldn't want anyone but him. ("It's hard to remember how it felt before/Now I found the love of my life/Passes things get more comfortable/Everything is going right.")
In the chorus, she congratulates him on his new girlfriend and wishes them well. They've loved and hated each other at various points but have found common ground. They've reconciled and are able to put their history behind them. ("And after all the obstacles/
It's good to see you now with someone else/And it's such a miracle that you and me are still good friends/After all that we've been through/I know we're cool.")
In the second verse, they thought they would go on fighting. However, they talk and respect each other. He refers to her as Mrs. Rossdale, although not too long he wished it was his last name she would have. For her, it feels like they never even dated. Time has dissolved the intial sting of the break-up. ("We used to think it was impossible/Now you call me by my new last name/Memories seem like so long ago/Time always kills the pain.")
In the chorus, she mentions how they grew up in Harbor Boulevard. According to the numerous hotel listings on Google, is located within Anaheim and near Disneyland. In Anaheim, they spoke of their dream of being in a popular band that will have music videos play on MTV. The children they remember walking down the street are now adults, visiting their families in their old neighborhood. Although they are adults, they are still similar to their young selves. ("Remember Harbor Boulevard/The dreaming days where the mess was made/Look how all the kids have grown/We have changed but we're still the same/After all that we've been through/I know we're cool.")
In the bridge, she promises to support him if he does the same for her. They've been involved in their own O.C.-esque dramas, complete with love triangles. However, she and Rossdale now go out to dinner and watch television with her ex and his girlfriend. They've come a long way but it was worth it. ("And I'll be happy for you/If you can be happy for me/Circles and triangles, and now we're hangin' out with your new girlfriend/So far from where we've been/I know we're cool.")
Instrumentation of the chorus ends the single.
The confessional "Cool" is Stefani's best single from the her album. The annoying self-promotion and product placement of her "Harajuki Girls" that marred her first two single is gone. In its place is Stefani at her most authentic. She likes to talk about her life and the conflicts she faces ( i.e. "Ex-Girlfriend" and "Bathwater ") For most singers, it usually comes as whiny an and self-pitying. However, Stefani was someone who was unafraid to talk about her flaws or selfishness. In "Cool," she finally becomes human again and not a living advertisement.