Marron 5’s second song in the top 20, ‘Maps,’ sits at #18 of the Billboard chart. And at #19 is ‘Cool Kids’ by the L.A. pop band Echosmith.
When I first saw this chart entry, I wasn’t sure if the song was ‘Cool Kids’ and the band Echosmith or vice versa. I find that happening more and more often these days.
Echosmith cite The Smiths as a major influence, and indeed this song bears that stamp admirably. I love the synth-pop 80s sound, even if the lyrics are a bit on the nose.
She sees them walking in a straight line, that’s not really her style
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
[Hook]
I wish that I could be like the cool kids cuz all the cool kids, they seem to fit in
I wish that I could be like the cool kids, like the cool kids
[Verse 2]
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
[Hook 2]
I wish that I could be like the cool kids cuz 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 cuz 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
[Outro]
I wish that I could be like the cool kids cuz 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 cuz 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 cuz all the cool kids, they seem to get it
I wish that I could be like the cool kids, like the cool kids
That song name band name confusion happens to me all the time as well.
Were they on SNL recently? We were making fun of the redundant lyrics.
Yes, they were.
I like the “throwback” sound of this song even if the lyrics are relatively inane. The sentiment is rather earnest, after all.