"Cool Kids" is the debut single song by American indie pop band Echosmith from their 2013 debut studio album, Talking Dreams. The song was written by Echosmith, Jeffery David, and Jesiah Dzwonek. It was produced by Mike Elizondo, with additional production on the radio edit by Rob Cavallo. "Cool Kids" was originally released on May 31, 2013, as the iTunes Store Single of the Week and officially impacted United States radio the following year. The song subsequently became a sleeper hit, peaking at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and receiving airplay on US modern rock, hot adult contemporary, and contemporary hit radio stations.

"Cool Kids"
Single by Echosmith
from the album Talking Dreams
ReleasedMay 31, 2013
Recorded2012
Genre
Length
  • 3:57 (album version)
  • 3:35 (radio edit)
LabelWarner Bros.
Songwriter(s)
  • Jeffery David
  • Jesiah Dzwonek
  • Sydney Sierota
  • Noah Sierota
  • Graham Sierota
  • Jamie Sierota
Producer(s)
Echosmith singles chronology
"Cool Kids"
(2013)
"Bright"
(2015)
Music video
"Cool Kids" on YouTube

Background

edit

The song describes a boy and a girl who both desire to be noticed.[1] In an interview, guitarist Jamie Sierota discussed the song's background, saying: "This cry to be like the cool kids… it's something that everyone kind of goes through whether you want to act like it or not... There's always somebody out there that you kind of wish, 'If only I could do this, or do that.' I think that's why it connects with people so well."[1]

Composition

edit

"Cool Kids" is written in the key of F minor, and follows a chord progression of Fm–D♭–A♭–E♭ (i–VI–III–VII). The tempo of the song is 129 beats per minute.[citation needed]

Music video

edit

The song's official music video was filmed in Los Angeles, California and directed by Gus Black.[2] It was released on June 21, 2013, on Echosmith's official YouTube channel.[2] After the original video passed one million views, Echosmith released an acoustic version of the song.[2] The band also released a new music video for "Cool Kids" on September 12, 2014, directed by Mark Pellington.[3]

Commercial performance

edit

"Cool Kids" debuted at number 87 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the issue dated July 26, 2014 and peaked at number 13.[4] The song also reached the top ten of the Billboard Mainstream Top 40 and Adult Top 40 charts, peaking at numbers 9 and 5 respectively.[5][6] It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on October 4, 2014,[7] and passed the one million sales mark later on in the same month.[8] As of December 2014, it has sold over 1.1 million copies in the United States.[9] "Cool Kids" also peaked at number 6 on the Australian singles chart and was certified double platinum in the country.[10][11]

Other versions

edit

In September 2022, the group released a new version of the song, labelled as "our version".[12] The version was nominated for Self-Released Record of the Year at the 2023 Libera Awards.[13]

Track listing

edit
Digital download[14]
No.TitleLength
1."Cool Kids" (Radio Edit)3:35
Digital download – remix[15]
No.TitleLength
1."Cool Kids" (RAC mix)4:19
British digital download[16]
No.TitleLength
1."Cool Kids" (Radio Edit)3:35
2."Cool Kids" (Acoustic)3:56
3."Cool Kids" (RAC mix)4:19
CD single[17]
No.TitleLength
1."Cool Kids" (Radio Edit)3:37
2."Cool Kids" (Acoustic)3:56

Charts

edit

Certifications

edit
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[11] 2× Platinum 140,000^
Canada (Music Canada)[67] Platinum 80,000*
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[68] Platinum 60,000^
Germany (BVMI)[69] Gold 200,000
Italy (FIMI)[70] Platinum 30,000
New Zealand (RMNZ)[71] Gold 7,500*
Norway (IFPI Norway)[72] 2× Platinum 20,000
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[73] Gold 20,000
Sweden (GLF)[74] Platinum 40,000
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[75] Gold 15,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[76] Platinum 600,000
United States (RIAA)[77] 3× Platinum 3,000,000

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

edit
Region Date Format Label
United States May 31, 2013 Digital download Warner Bros.

References

edit
  1. ^ a b "New Music To Know: Echosmith Aspires Toward Role Model Status". Radio.com. January 10, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  2. ^ a b c Echosmith. "Echosmith – Cool Kids [Official Music Video]". YouTube. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
  3. ^ Crane, Matt (September 11, 2014). "Echosmith release new music video for 'Cool Kids'". Alternative Press. Retrieved November 4, 2014.
  4. ^ a b "Echosmith Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  5. ^ a b "Echosmith Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
  6. ^ a b "Echosmith Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
  7. ^ "American single certifications – Echosmith – Cool Kids". Recording Industry Association of America.
  8. ^ Grein, Paul (October 29, 2014). "Chart Watch: Maroon 5 Busts Up All-Female Top Five". Yahoo! Music. Yahoo!. Retrieved October 29, 2014.
  9. ^ "The Big 9 in 2014: Warner Bros". HITS Daily Double. HITS Digital Ventures. December 12, 2014. Archived from the original on December 12, 2014. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  10. ^ a b "Echosmith – Cool Kids". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  11. ^ a b "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2014 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 21, 2015.
  12. ^ Chandonnet, Henry (September 9, 2022). "Echosmith Releases New, Empowered Rendition of Hit "Cool Kids"". V. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  13. ^ Aniftos, Rania (March 22, 2023). "Wet Leg Leads Nominations for 2023 Libera Awards". Billboard. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  14. ^ "Cool Kids (Radio Edit) – Single by Echosmith". iTunes Store. Australia: Apple. August 15, 2014. Retrieved November 8, 2014.
  15. ^ "iTunes – Music – Cool Kids (RAC Mix) – Single by Echosmith". iTunes Store. Australia: Apple. December 2, 2014. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  16. ^ "iTunes – Music – Cool Kids – Single by Echosmith". iTunes Store. Australia: Apple. December 8, 2014. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  17. ^ "Cool Kids (2track): Amazon.de: Musik" (in German). Amazon.de. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  18. ^ "Echosmith – Cool Kids" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  19. ^ "Echosmith – Cool Kids" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  20. ^ "Echosmith – Cool Kids" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved December 19, 2014.
  21. ^ "Hot 100 Billboard Brasil — weekly". Billboard Brasil. May 2, 2015. Archived from the original on May 4, 2015. Retrieved May 14, 2015.
  22. ^ "Echosmith Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  23. ^ "Echosmith Chart History (Canada AC)". Billboard. Retrieved December 4, 2014.
  24. ^ "Echosmith Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2014.
  25. ^ "Echosmith Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
  26. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 44. týden 2014 in the date selector. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  27. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 46. týden 2014 in the date selector. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
  28. ^ "Echosmith – Cool Kids". Tracklisten. Retrieved November 8, 2014.
  29. ^ "Echosmith – Cool Kids" (in Danish). Tracklisten. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
  30. ^ "IFPI – Echosmith: Cool Kids" (in Finnish). Suomen virallinen lista. October 27, 2014. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  31. ^ "Echosmith – Cool Kids" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
  32. ^ "Echosmith – Cool Kids" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  33. ^ "Chart Track: Week 7, 2015". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
  34. ^ "Echosmith – Cool Kids". Top Digital Download. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  35. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Echosmith" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved October 31, 2014.
  36. ^ "Echosmith – Cool Kids" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  37. ^ "Echosmith – Cool Kids". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  38. ^ "Echosmith – Cool Kids". VG-lista. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  39. ^ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  40. ^ "Polish Video Chart". January 30, 2015. Retrieved January 30, 2015.
  41. ^ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Dance Top 50. Retrieved January 23, 2015.
  42. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 30, 2015.
  43. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201443 into search. Retrieved October 31, 2014.
  44. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201444 into search. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  45. ^ "SloTop50 | Slovenian official singles weekly charts" (in Slovenian). Archived from the original on August 28, 2017. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  46. ^ "Echosmith – Cool Kids" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved December 17, 2014.
  47. ^ "Echosmith – Cool Kids". Singles Top 100. Retrieved September 11, 2014.
  48. ^ "Echosmith – Cool Kids". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved December 28, 2014.
  49. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
  50. ^ "Echosmith Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  51. ^ "Echosmith Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved September 11, 2014.
  52. ^ "End of Year Charts – ARIA Top 100 Singles 2014". ARIA Charts. Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on January 9, 2015. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  53. ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2014". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved November 1, 2019.
  54. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2014" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
  55. ^ "Årslista Singlar – År 2014" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
  56. ^ "Hot 100 Songs: Year End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
  57. ^ "Adult Pop Songs – Year-End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  58. ^ "Pop Songs – Year-End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  59. ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 2015". austriancharts.at. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  60. ^ "Track Top-100 2015". Hitlisten.NU. Retrieved March 18, 2016.
  61. ^ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved January 6, 2016.
  62. ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2015". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
  63. ^ "Jaaroverzichten - 3FM 2015". Dutch Charts (in Dutch). Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  64. ^ "SloTop50: Slovenian official year end singles chart". slotop50.si. Archived from the original on June 30, 2017. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
  65. ^ "Jahreshitparade 2015". Schweizer Hitparade. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
  66. ^ "Adult Contemporary Songs – Year-End 2015". Billboard. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  67. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Echosmith – Cool Kids". Music Canada. Retrieved April 4, 2015.
  68. ^ "Danish single certifications – Echosmith – Cool Kids". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  69. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Echosmith; 'Cool Kids')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
  70. ^ "Italian single certifications – Echosmith – Cool Kids" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  71. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Echosmith – Cool Kids". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved January 20, 2015.[dead link]
  72. ^ "Norwegian single certifications – Echosmith – Cool Kids" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
  73. ^ "Spanish single certifications – Echosmith – Cool Kids". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  74. ^ "Sverigetopplistan – Echosmith" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  75. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Cool Kids')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved September 6, 2022.
  76. ^ "British single certifications – Echosmith – Cool Kids". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  77. ^ "American single certifications – Echosmith – Cool Kids". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 22, 2014.