Given their unabashedly lo-fi aesthetic, their predilection for psychedelia… Read Full Bio ↴Given their unabashedly lo-fi aesthetic, their predilection for psychedelia, and their old-school pop sensibilities, Jacuzzi Boys sound like direct descendants of 1960s garage rock. Although they might sound like they could've appeared on the original Nuggets compilation, Jacuzzi Boys are most definitely a product of the 21st century; Gabriel Alcala (guitar) and Diego Monasteri (drums) teamed up to form Jacuzzi Boys in Miami, Florida in 2007. Bassist Danny Gonzales was brought on board soon after to round out the group's sound, and the newly formed trio quickly attracted the attention of the Orlando, Florida-based indie label Floridas Dying (at the time home to a number of like-minded acts, including Yussuf Jerusalum and Cop City Chill Pillars). Jacuzzi Boys' debut full-length on that label, No Seasons, was released in 2009.

The band's profile enjoyed a healthy boost following some favorable media coverage (the band's 2009 split 7" with Woven Bones was featured on Pitchfork) and an endorsement from none other than Iggy Pop, who dropped the band's name in an interview with Urban Outfitters, and it wasn't long before they found themselves on the roster of Sub Pop offshoot Hardly Art. Jacuzzi Boys' sophomore album, Glazin', was released in August of 2011. After spending a bunch of time touring and getting a song in the Seth Rogan movie 50/50, the Boys headed to the Key Club Recording Co. to lay down their third album. The results were mastered by legendary sound wizard Kramer and released to the public as Jacuzzi Boys via Hardly Art in the early autumn of 2013.
After taking a bit of a break, the trio hit the studio in Miami with Torche's Jonathan Nunez in the producer's chair. The resulting batch of back-to-basics garage rockers arrived on the six-song EP Happy Damage, which the band decided to release on its newly formed Mag Mag label in September of 2015. Their next album, the '90s indie rock and grunge-leaning Ping Pong, was recorded in Los Angeles and similarly self-released in late 2016.

Cool Vapors
Jacuzzi Boys Lyrics

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Raised up in the streets,
I can stand the heat
Need to Cool, Oh oh
Through the commerce's eyes
Melons on my mind
Coolin down, oh oh
War has no end
Neon doesn't care

Need to Cool, oh oh
Bag of big old knives,
Makes me feel so nice
Coolin down, oh oh
I'll be around, if you're cool, cool me down, me oh oh
Ducan leads the way
Makes me feel ok
Need to cool, oh oh
Vapors on the gas
Radio on the blast
Coolin down, oh oh
I'll be around, if you're cool, cool me down, me oh oh
I'll be around, if you're cool, cool me down, me oh oh
Me oh oh
Rollin round town, cool vapors till sundown
Rollin round town, cool vapors till sundown
Me oh oh

I'll be around, if you're cool, cool me down, me oh oh
'Ll be around, if you're cool, cool me down, me oh oh

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Cool Vapors" by Jacuzzi Boys describe the experience of growing up in the streets and needing to find a way to cool down. The line "Raised up in the streets, I can stand the heat" suggests that the singer has had to deal with tough situations in their life, perhaps experiencing violence or struggle. However, they have found a way to cope by seeking out coolness. The repeated line "Need to cool, oh oh" emphasizes this desire for relief from the heat.

The verse about "melons on my mind" could be interpreted in a few different ways. It might be a reference to the refreshing and hydrating quality of watermelon, which would fit with the theme of cooling down. Alternatively, it could be a metaphor for something else entirely, like a desire for luxury or pleasure. The line "War has no end / Neon doesn't care" introduces a sense of despair or apathy, suggesting that even in a world full of conflict and chaos, the need for cooling down remains.

The chorus of the song repeats the lines "I'll be around, if you're cool, cool me down, me oh oh." To me, this suggests a desire for companionship and the sense of camaraderie that can come from sharing a cooling experience with others. The specific image of "cool vapors" suggests a kind of relaxation or intoxication that would be enjoyable to share with friends.

Overall, the lyrics of "Cool Vapors" convey a sense of seeking comfort and relief from the difficulties of life, particularly those experienced by people who grow up in challenging circumstances. While the specific meaning of some of the lines is a bit ambiguous, the overall tone of the song suggests a desire for connection and enjoyment in the face of adversity.

Line by Line Meaning

Raised up in the streets,
I come from the streets,

I can stand the heat
I can handle tough situations,

Need to Cool, Oh oh
I need to chill,

Through the commerce's eyes
From the perspective of business,

Melons on my mind
Thinking about success and money,

Coolin down, oh oh
Taking a break to relax,

War has no end
Conflict is never-ending,

Neon doesn't care
The lights keep shining despite everything else,

Bag of big old knives,
A collection of dangerous weapons,

Makes me feel so nice
Brings a sense of comfort,

I'll be around, if you're cool, cool me down, me oh oh
If you're relaxed, I'll hang out and chill with you,