Song : Cool Kids

Artist : Echosmith

Album :

Genre : Indie Pop

Released : 2013

Cool Kids released in 2013, it was a serious chart topper the following year, ultimately
being #13 on the Billboards Hot 100. “Cool Kids” is from Echosmith’s debut album, which
means they will have much more in store for the next few albums if they continue to make
music.

Echosmith’s sound is indie pop, and they definitely reflect this notion in this song. I would
say “Cool Kids” is a bit more pop than indie, with its auto-tone singing, catchy and repetitive
lyrics, and lack of exploration. But the meaning of the lyrics is connected to indie music,
though bluntly. I can see how the song got so popular, as it corresponds to the “loner kids”
who don’t exactly fit into set social groups in school. Yet the delivery of the song suggests its
intentions are merely for preying on people’s emotions and making people buy the song,
rather than introspecting about its meaning seriously.

The song begins with an atmospheric synth line, which would indicate an indie song, but
when the dull drums, plaintive guitar, basic bass, and all-too-normal main singer emerges, we
already know it is a pop song. During the bridge, the back up vocals provide a more indie
sound, but overall the song is dominated by a pop tone, which could almost be termed as new
country rock.

The most cringe-worthy part of the song is the main vocals by Jamie Sierota. There is
nothing unique in her voice and she might as well have been a machine singing over a
machine track. There is no special flavor in her voice and no strong emotional substance felt.
Her vocals might leave you half-cheering for kids who get left behind in social circles, but
nothing more.

The lyrics are too simplistic, as the sentiment conveyed could have been much more deftly
expressed. It is not simplistic like Gwendolyn Brooks’ poetry, for example, where subtle
meaning pours through after rereading. It is rather a plain emotion written in an almost
robotic way—a true mark of present day’s pop music.

On a positive note, “Cool Kids” is not jarring to listen to. It is rather pleasant to sit back and
drone out to. It has a relaxed, slightly melancholic feel. Although it doesn’t convey its
emotion properly, it still is a decent listen when you want to chill out or are doing homework.
 Cool Kids
Voc:Echosmith
She sees them walking in a straight line,
That's not really her style
And they all got the same heartbeat
But hers is falling behind
Nothing in this world could
Ever bring them down
Yeah, they're invincible, and she's just in the background
And she says
I wish that I could be like the cool kids
'Cause all the cool kids, they seem to fit in
I wish that I could be like the cool kids
Like the cool kids
He sees them talking with a big smile
But they haven't got a clue
Yeah, they're living the good life
Can't see what he is going through
They're driving fast cars
But they don't know where they're going
In the fast lane, living life without knowing
And he says
I wish that I could be like the cool kids
'Cause all the cool kids, they seem to fit in
I wish that I could be like the cool kids
Like the cool kids
I wish that I could be like the cool kids
'Cause all the cool kids they seem to get it
I wish that I could be like the cool kids
Like the cool kids
And they said
I wish that I could be like the cool kids
'Cause all the cool kids, they seem to fit in
I wish that I could be like the cool kids
Like the cool kids
I wish that I could be like the cool kids
'Cause all the cool kids, they seem to fit in
I wish that I could be like the cool kids
Like the cool kids
I wish that I could be like the cool kids
'Cause all the cool kids, they seem to get it
I wish that I could be like the cool kids
Like the cool kids