The band name originated from a slang phrase used by students at Eric Sean Nally's high school where Foxy Shazam meant "cool shoes". On February 7, 2010, their single Unstoppable was featured in Super Bowl XLIV.
In 2008, the band were named one of the 100 bands you need to know by Alternative Press. They toured with bands such as The Strokes, Bad Rabbits, and The Young Veins. In 2010, the band were placed on Spin's list of ten bands you need to know. Since then, they've appeared on TV programs such as the Daily Haibt. Also in 2010, vocalist Eric Nally helped write songs for Meat Loaf's album, Hang Cool Teddy Bear.
Foxy Shazam have previously toured with Hole and played this year's Lollapalooza festival. They've been appearing in more magazines supporting their latest release like Alternative Press and Spin. They played a 3 song set for The Daily Habit Show on Fuel.tv. They recently performed a 5 song set for shockhound.com. They also recently performed 3 songs acoustic for Spin Magazine, one of which was a brand new song entitled "I'm in love with a boy." The band performed a full set and interview on Chicago's JBTV in July 2010. The band have also performed a live an exclusive version of "oh Lord" for music discovery app and namesake Shazam.
Foxy Shazam's first album, The Flamingo Trigger is seen as a post-hardcore album, with some slight classical influences. The band more resembled peers such as Chiodos and The Fall of Troy. With their second release, Introducing, the band incorporated more genres into their sound, and even making ballads, though still with some post-hardcore influence. Their latest release, Foxy Shazam, has influences ranging from Gospel, Soul, and Glam Metal. The band continues to surprise fans by keeping themselves original.
A quote from lead singer, Eric Sean Nally: "When I listen to a Foxy Shazam record I think of Evel Knievel, Bruce Springsteen, my childhood, Van Morrison, my old friends from high school I don't talk to anymore, Elton John, the '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s and beyond, Iggy Pop and my first kiss. One of my favorite things to do when listening to my music is to close my eyes and picture a crowd of six million people all chanting "Foxy! Foxy! Foxy!" The lights go out and my band walks on stage. It gives me goose bumps. It all makes sense to me. When you listen to our record, think of your favorite things and it'll make sense to you as well. Foxy Shazam is not concerned with what category it falls into. We want to stand for our generation. We want to be the biggest band in the world. We want to be the Michael Jordan of Rock N' Roll."
Many media outlets compare the band to Queen and Meat Loaf because of their use of theatrics and over-the-tops lyrics. The band themselves have noted the similarities but believe that they are just all influenced by the same things. It's not always music that influences the band, it could even be a smell that triggers a memory.
Eric Sean Nally has said an album that influenced him was Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill. The magazine Alternative Press has compared the band to bands like Queen, My Chemical Romance, and The Darkness while also believing that the band has a very unique sound that should best be seen live.
Cool
Foxy Shazam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want you so, so, so bad.
I put my heart on the line,
I put my heart on the line for you.
It makes no difference to me
As long as I got you by my side.
You're a cool runner,
You're so cool
When you're not around.
It's a nasty job,
But someone's gotta do it.
I just pray
That it won't be me.
Girl I need you bad,
I need you so, so, so bad.
I put my heart on the line,
I put my heart on the line for you.
It makes no difference to me
As long as I got you by my side.
You're a cool runner,
Babe I gotta tell ya
You're so cool
When you're not around.
It's a nasty job,
But someone's gotta do it.
I just pray
That it won't be me.
All that I mean is your ways are so lonely,
But I don't care, I can wait, you're so beautiful
The lyrics of Cool by Foxy Shazam convey an intense desire for someone which may be unrequited or at least challenged by difficult circumstances. The singer gives their heart and all the affection they can muster to this person, fully aware that their circumstances may not be optimal. The focus on the person's coolness and aloofness may reflect a tension between their attractiveness in terms of intrigue and the frustration that comes from not being able to get close to them.
The repeated use of "I put my heart on the line" highlights the singer's vulnerability and commitment to this person, willing to take risks and face the possibility of rejection or disappointment. They see this person as a cool runner, someone elusive and independent, but also attractive and fascinating precisely because of their distance. The line "It's a nasty job, but someone's gotta do it" may refer to the effort it takes to pursue someone who is difficult to catch, but also hints that the effort may take a toll on one's self-esteem or emotional stability.
Overall, the lyrics of Cool capture the anxiety and longing of unrequited love, as well as the thrill and danger of pursuing someone who is out of reach. The singer's honesty and vulnerability create an emotional intensity that resonates with the listener, while the catchy melody and upbeat rhythm provide a sense of energy and momentum.
Line by Line Meaning
Girl I want you bad,
I desire you intensely, girl,
I want you so, so, so bad.
My desire for you is so strong that I can’t express it enough,
I put my heart on the line,
I risked my emotions to show you my feelings,
I put my heart on the line for you.
I exposed my vulnerability to you,
It makes no difference to me
I don't care if other things don't matter,
As long as I got you by my side.
I just need to have you with me,
You're a cool runner,
You are so calm and composed,
Babe I gotta tell ya
I want to express something to you,
You're so cool
You are collected and confident,
When you're not around.
But when you are absent,
It's a nasty job,
The situation becomes difficult and unpleasant,
But someone's gotta do it.
However, it has to be done by someone,
I just pray
I hope and wish,
That it won't be me.
That I won't be the one doing it,
All that I mean is your ways are so lonely,
All I am trying to convey is that you seem to be very solitary,
But I don't care, I can wait, you're so beautiful
But I still want to wait for you as you are so stunning,
Contributed by Samuel S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.