Johnston's role in WWE was providing the soundtrack for WWE programming, in addition to providing musical content for WWE's large output of video games, website content and entrance themes for WWE Superstars and Divas. Johnston achieved fame for producing many of the memorable entrance theme songs for the WWE Superstars, including the likes of The Undertaker, The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Mr. McMahon amongst hundreds of other superstars, many of which have been released on commercial albums and through iTunes. In 2014, CFO$ took over responsibility for creating entrance themes and musical content for WWE's television output. This was done at the request of WWE Music Group GM Neil Lawi, who wanted to utilize the existing working relationship he had with John Alicastro and Michael Lauri. This meant a forced reduction in Johnston's input into creating new superstar entrance themes after that date.
Beyond Superstars entrance themes, Johnston composed music for the majority of WWE's pay-per-views and television productions, including show themes, music videos, vignettes, commercials, and tributes. He likens his work to that of scoring a live action movie, "A standard scenario is we get a call from our executive producer: 'We've got a new guy coming', or 'He's breaking out of a tag team and he needs music'. It's like scoring for a movie: is he a good guy or a bad guy? Is he light and svelte and quick-moving, which dictates a fast tempo, or is he a big plodding kind of a guy, in which case you need a big, heavy, the-wrath-of-God-is-coming-upon-us sound?"
Johnston has also scored several film projects for WWE's film division WWE Studios, these include The Chaperone, That's What I Am, and The Reunion. He also provided music for other WWE-affiliated products including the World Bodybuilding Federation and the XFL. He is known for writing, composing and producing all his compositions alone, in addition to playing all instruments. He occasionally recruited outside vocalists or additional musicians to contribute when the piece required, and often preferred to bring in unsigned bands and new artists to provide vocals. In 2008, Johnston publicly expressed his frustration to Billboard at the inability of WWE to secure better promotional deals with artists due to a lack of understanding of the WWE product. He said, "One of my frustrations is getting the word out about just how much music is used in our product. The labels will stumble over themselves to get on MTV, but no one's watching MTV". Conversely, WWE and Johnston have been responsible for helping to fuel a surge in sales for associated acts such as Fuel, Shinedown and Motörhead through their use in WWE productions.
Cool
Jim Johnston Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know what cool is
Your looking at it
Nothing beats being cool
(spitting Noise) I spit in the face of people who dont want to be cool!
Carlito, Carlito, Carlito (on going)
Carribian
You better be cool
You do what you want
You take what you want
You better be cool
Cool like me
The lyrics to Jim Johnston's song "Cool" are a playful commentary on what it means to be cool. The singer begins by boldly declaring that they "spit in the face of people who don't want to be cool." They go on to assert that they are the epitome of cool, stating "You know what cool is, you're looking at it. Nothing beats being cool." Through these lines, the singer is mocking those who try too hard to fit in or be cool and suggesting that true coolness comes from being confident in oneself.
The song then shifts to a focus on Carlito, a professional wrestler for whom the song was written. The repeated chant of "Carlito, Carlito, Carlito" creates a sense of admiration and fandom, while also underscoring the idea that Carlito is the embodiment of cool. The singer encourages listeners to be like Carlito, to do what they want and take what they want, all while maintaining their cool factor.
Overall, the song is a fun and tongue-in-cheek celebration of what it means to be cool – a quality that cannot be faked, but must be embodied.
Line by Line Meaning
(spitting Noise) I spit in the face of people who dont want to be cool!
I am strongly against those who resist being cool and choose not to accept it.
You know what cool is
You understand the definition of coolness and what it means.
Your looking at it
The embodiment of coolness is right in front of you.
Nothing beats being cool
The feeling of being cool is unparalleled and cannot be surpassed.
(spitting Noise) I spit in the face of people who dont want to be cool!
I strongly oppose those who don't aspire to become cool and reject it.
Carlito, Carlito, Carlito (on going)
Repeating the name of Carlito emphasizes his importance as a cool figure.
Carribian
The culture and lifestyle of the Caribbean is associated with coolness.
You better be cool
It's important to strive for coolness and embody it in your actions.
When your Carlito
If you're like Carlito, who exudes coolness, you're in a position of power.
You do what you want
Being cool means having the freedom to do whatever you desire.
You take what you want
Cool people are assertive and unapologetic in their pursuit of what they want.
You better be cool
It's essential to maintain your coolness in order to achieve your goals.
Cool like me
Being cool like myself is the ultimate goal and should be viewed as such.
Contributed by Lucy J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.