Cool by Gwen Stefani

Album: Love.Angel.Music.Baby (2005)

Charted: 11 13

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This song is about Gwen Stefani's ex-boyfriend and No Doubt bandmate, Tony Kanal. They dated for eight years before breaking up because Kanal needed "space." The song is about how both of them moved on and how through the ups and downs, over the years, they became really good friends. Stefani found the "love of her life," Gavin Rossdale, whom she married in 2002, so she and Kanal were "cool" as friends. He later married the actress Erin Lokitz; Stefani and Rossdale divorced in 2015. >>
Suggestion credit:
Christi - Atlanta, GA
Stefani wrote "Cool" with Dallas Austin, who produced the track with Nellee Hooper of Soul II Soul. Austin had written the first version of the song years earlier, inspired by Stefani's relationship with Kanal. He had heard the No Doubt song "Simple Kind Of Life," and knowing how it related to Gwen's relationship with Kanal, drew a parallel to his own life. Austin was one of the primary songwriter-producers for TLC - hits he worked on for them include "Creep" and "Unpretty." He dated group member Chilli (Rozonda Thomas) for a while, but it didn't work out and she started dating Usher. Austin and Chilli still had to work together though, just as Stefani and Kanal did.

"I wrote 'Cool' inspired by 'Simple Kind Of Life' because me and Rozanda were working together, and it was like, 'Now I know we're cool,'" he explained on an Instagram Live. "We finally got to that point."
Dallas Austin first pitched the song to Christina Aguilera, but she didn't record it. TLC's label boss LA Reid insisted he record it with them for their 2002 album 3D, which Austin didn't want to do - he was "cool" with Chilli but couldn't handle cutting the song with her.

He gave it a shot, but in the studio, Chilli kept bringing up old memories, which was more than he could bear. "I was like, 'This is the worst experience ever to be working with you in the studio on this song,'" Austin said. "I told them I wouldn't do it."

Austin wrote a different song for them instead: "Damaged," which ended up being a single from the album.
The song completes a trilogy for Gwen Stefani of songs where she comes to terms with her relationship with Kanal. It starts with the tormented "Don't Speak" from No Doubt's 1995 album Tragic Kingdom, then continues with "Simple Kind Of Life" in 2000, where they've moved on but still have some connection. By "Cool" they're seeing other people but need to be supportive, so they support those relationships even when it hurts - it's like those long-broken-up couples that show up at each other's weddings.

In his Instagram Live, Dallas Austin explained how Stefani reacted to the song: "Gwen Stefani called and wanted to work with me. I said, 'Well, I've got this song I want to play you, and it was inspired by you and Tony. Maybe you'll like it and we can fix it for you.' I played it for her, and she said, 'Oh, this is the third level. This is the conclusion of me and Tony's life.' We did it and it turned into 'Cool.'"
Remember Harbor Boulevard
The dreaming days where the mess was made

Harbor Boulevard is in Fullerton, California, where Stefani attended California State University, Fullerton. >>
Suggestion credit:
Noelle - Fullerton, CA
The music video, directed by Sophie Muller, was shot in Lake Como, Italy, and depicts Stefani's "cool" relationship with her ex-boyfriend, played by Spanish actor Daniel Gonzalez. Tony Kanal's then-girlfriend and future wife, Erin Lokitz, plays Gonzalez's current girlfriend.
"Cool" was the fourth single from Gwen Stefani's first solo album, Love. Angel. Music. Baby., following "What You Waiting For?" "Rich Girl" and "Hollaback Girl." Her success outside of No Doubt wasn't a given, but it was a pretty sure bet. She had already landed hits featuring on Moby's "South Side" and Eve's "Let Me Blow Ya Mind."

Comments: 20

KristinActually this song was given to Gwen Stefani by Dallas Austin (music producer) it’s actually about him and Rozanda “TLC’s Chilli singer”......>>

(news clip) Austin also dated TLC’s Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas. The former couple didn’t last, but they successfully co-parent son Tron, but not without a few hiccups along the way. When Chilli moved on with heartthrob Usher, Austin found it challenging to give TLC his hit song “Cool,” which ultimately went to singer Gwen Stefani.

“I didn’t want to give them that song because the song was about me and Rozonda saying ‘Hey now that you’re dating Usher, that’s good, me and him was cool, everybody done had their fights and everything else, but now I moved on, you moved on, now we’re cool,” he explained.

He continued, “We had just broke up…I wanted to kill everybody because, honestly, I was friends with Usher too. By the time I call and said ‘hey let’s be together in Miami’ she was like ‘nah, nah, nah that’s a wrap. I’m done.’ “ \_(._.)_/ so it was not about Gwen and her ex in realty.
Tony from Los AngelesI think you're all wrong... Do you not see the way dude keeps pushing off her advances?

I really think this is about her and Gavin Rossdale. Rossdale probably didn't give her anything sexually and she finally found out why... Dude is gay or likes ts over women. She finally realized and came to terms with it, kept her mouth shut, and they're cool...
Constance from Dallas, TxThe song is one of the best songs written in modern day time. The music is great to. The lyrics and the music just has the essence of nostalgia remember a former lover. It really hits home for me and my ex that I was engaged to. We were together for 7 years. However in my case I don't know if we can be friends until he moves on. I have moved on with my life as a healthy single woman. I can see this song being re made by another artist in the future. However it wouldn't be right because the song is so specific to Gwen's real life situation that everyone is aware of.
Laura from London, EnglandUm scuse me....BRUNETTE Gwen. Yep! You look MUCH better with what God gave you. :-D
Lefty_2ndbaseman from Chicago, IlI love the style of this song, it has such an '80s retro sound to it (Gwen is heavily influenced by that era), it sounds like it could have easily been a huge hit in 1985!
Constance from Dallas, Txamazing song reminds of my ex who i'm still friends with and who i'll always love!
Laura from London, EnglandLuke from Manchester = Yes! Your right! lol
Also, Gwen DOES look better brunette because it's her natural hair colour. People always look best with what is natural.
A.J from Chicago = People do sometimes make mistakes and typos you know! Grow up!
Terr from Augusta, Gait might be that alot of songs remind me of richard, but i've moved on and so has he, and this video, this song, these lyrics are so much about us. all the memories and passion and love, im happy for him but not really. who doesnt want there frist love back? one day.... I LOVE this song
Luke from Manchester, EnglandKristen and Francine - Gwen doesn't lookn at this so stop being retards
Grace from Fairfax Station, VaI love this song, it's so sweet and romantic :-) The only part I don't like is when she repeats "cool" over and over again and adds like "ooh, ooh" too it :-P Not good.
Caitlin from Upper Township, NjOh my god! This is one of the best songs Gwen has ever written! Gwen is just simply the coolest, funkiest, most unique person on the face of the earth. She is fearless in her fashion and music!
Kristen from Winslow, NjMy friend Francine thinks, who is a HUUUGE fan or Gwen, thinks that she looks alot better with blonde hair!!!!!!!!!she says U ROCK GWEN KEEP IT BLONDE!
A.j. from Chicago, IlThis song's in the trailer for the new Adam Sandler movie Click.

And who just said "burnett" instead of "brunette"? LMAO
Robert from AucklandSounds like it's based on 'Total Control' by the Motels to me ....
Ash from Perth, Australiai'm surprised how much i like this song; i've never really been into pop but this song is my guilty pleasure
Chelsey from Ocean Shores, WaGwen stefani is a great singer and I love all of her songs. I understand completly I have read all the comments and I am glad nobody hates the song so far I hang with my xb all the time and it's hard to try to get him back with his preppy girlfriend evry where
Andrew from West Covina, CaI had no idea that Gwen was the burnett in the video! She looks better as a burnett. I don't know if it's just me, but Gwen doesn't look good being bleach blonde? This song is so sad and yet makes me happy. My favorite line is when she mentions her fans "...Look at all the kids have grown up..." And it was just yesterday that I saw my first gwen concert solo at the Anaheim Pond! Can't wait to see ND again! NO Doubt Rocks FOREVER!
Lawrence from Singaporelol, can I start the criticism
Christi from Leesburg, Gai lve this song. i want just this song from the cd i have a ex b/f we were friends but now him and my ex friend date but we talk sometimes and me and chick are cool some what.
Sabrina from Montreal, CanadaThis song is rlly COOL!! lol

By the way, she looks so much prettier with brown hair:)

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