Kool Thing

David Fricke of Rolling Stone referred to the song as "sexually charged," praising Thurston Moore and Steve Shelley's guitar and drum work, respectively.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/goo-252759/ |title=Goo |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=August 9, 1990 |access-date=April 17, 2013 |last=Fricke |first=David |author-link=David Fricke}} Also from Rolling Stone, Matthew Perpetua designated the song as a "feminist anthem."{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/sonic-youth-three-decades-of-dissonance-11679/making-the-nature-scene-19927/ |title=Sonic Youth: Three Decades of Dissonance |first=Matthew |last=Perpetua |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=March 28, 2012 |access-date=April 22, 2022}} Jason Ankeny of AllMusic believed the song "teeters on the brink of a cultural breakthrough but falls just shy of the mark."{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/goo-mw0000308187 |title=Goo – Sonic Youth |website=AllMusic |access-date=April 17, 2013 |last=Ankeny |first=Jason}} Robert Christgau praised Kim Gordon's performance on the song, citing "Kool Thing" as a standout track from Goo.{{cite book |last=Christgau |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Christgau |year=2000 |chapter=Sonic Youth: Goo |chapter-url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_album.php?id=3212 |access-date=April 17, 2013 |title=Christgau's Consumer Guide: Albums of the '90s |title-link=Christgau's Consumer Guide: Albums of the '90s |publisher=St. Martin's Griffin |isbn=0-312-24560-2}}

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.

Spin designated the video as one of the greatest music videos of 1990.{{cite magazine |last=|first=|title=Albums of the Year |magazine=Spin |volume=6 |issue=9 |page=54 |publication-date=December 1990}}

On July 29, 1992, Sonic Youth performed "Kool Thing" on Hangin' with MTV in New York City.{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/679-invisible-hits-sonic-youths-live-legacy/|title=Invisible Hits: Sonic Youth's Live Legacy|last=Wilcox|first=Tyler|date=February 23, 2015|work=Pitchfork|accessdate=April 24, 2022}}

Brian Molko of Placebo said that "Kool Thing" was the first song he ever heard by Sonic Youth, adding that if it were not for them, his own band would never have existed.{{youtube|ZSzmOuENvFI|Brian Molko - Radio XFM - Part 4 - Takeover Show The Residency - 27.12.2009 + some Pictures}}

"Kool Thing" has also been frequently featured in TV shows, films and video games, including Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, Simple Men, Gilmore Girls, True Crime: New York City, Once Upon a Time and Mr. Robot, in addition to appearing as downloadable content for Rock Band.

• 7" vinyl and cassette single{{cite AV media notes|title=Kool Thing|others=Sonic Youth|year=1990|type=European 7-inch vinyl single liner notes|publisher=DGC|id=GEF 81}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Kool Thing|others=Sonic Youth|year=1990|type=United Kingdom cassette single liner notes|publisher=DGC|id=GEF81C}}

1. "Kool Thing" (LP version) – 4:04
2. "That's All I Know (Right Now)"  – 2:30

• 12" vinyl{{cite AV media notes|title=Kool Thing|others=Sonic Youth|year=1990|type=United Kingdom 12-inch vinyl single liner notes|publisher=DGC|id=GEF 81T}}

1. "Kool Thing" (LP version) – 4:04
2. "That's All I Know (Right Now)"  – 2:30
3. "Kool Thing" (8 track demo version) – 4:13

• CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Kool Thing|others=Sonic Youth|year=1990|type=European CD single liner notes|publisher=DGC|id=GEF 81CD}}

1. "Kool Thing" (LP version) – 4:07
2. "That's All I Know (Right Now)"  – 2:18
3. "Dirty Boots" (Rock & Roll Heaven version) – 5:26
4. "Kool Thing" (8 track demo version) – 4:13

Credits and personnel are adapted from the Goo album liner notes.{{cite AV media notes|others=Sonic Youth|title=Goo|year=1990|type=CD liner notes|publisher=DGC|id=9 24297-D2}}

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

{{Reflist}}

• {{YouTube|SDTSUwIZdMk|"Kool Thing" Music video}}

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Category:Sonic Youth songs

Category:1990 singles

Category:Grunge songs

Category:Music videos directed by Tamra Davis

Category:1990 songs

Category:Geffen Records singles