"Cool Kids" is the debut single by American indie pop band Echosmith from their debut studio album, Talking Dreams (2013). 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

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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

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"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

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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

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"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

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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

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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

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Certifications

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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] Platinum 30,000
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] 4× Platinum 4,000,000

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

Release history

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

References

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  2. ^ a b c Echosmith (June 21, 2013). "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.
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  6. ^ a b "Echosmith Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
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