Cool
Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra Lyrics
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"I wanna get even"
"Get cool"
"I wanna bust"
"I wanna go"
"Go cool"
Boy, boy, crazy boy
Get cool, boy
Got a rocket in your pocket
Keep coolly cool, boy
Don't get hot 'cause man, you've got some high times ahead
Take it slow and, Daddy-o
You can live it up and die in bed
Boy, boy, crazy boy
Stay loose, boy
Breeze it, buzz it, easy does it
Turn off the juice, boy
Go man, go
But not like a yo-yo, school boy
"Just play it cool, boy
Real cool"
"Easy, Action"
"Shh"
"Cool it A-Rab, cool it, cool it"
"Pow, hahaha"
Cool, go
Crazy, cool, go
Crazy, go
Boy, boy, crazy boy
Stay loose, boy
Breeze it, buzz it, easy does it
Turn off the juice, boy
Just play it cool, boy
Real cool
The song "Cool" by Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra is a powerful and insightful commentary on the youth of America and their struggle to maintain their composure in the face of societal pressures. The lyrics capture the essence of this struggle, encouraging young people to stay calm, collected, and cool under all circumstances. The opening lines, "Boy, boy, crazy boy, get cool, boy!" set the tone for the rest of the song, urging young men to maintain their focus and stay calm even when facing difficult or stressful situations.
The central message of the song is reinforced throughout the lyrics, with lines like "Got a rocket in your pocket, keep coolly cool, boy!" and "Take it slow and Daddy-O, you can live it up and die in bed!" These lines suggest that youthful energy and enthusiasm should be tempered by a cool, measured approach to life, in order to avoid burning out too quickly.
Through its use of powerful imagery and evocative lyrics, "Cool" offers a vivid portrayal of the struggles and challenges faced by young people in America. Its message is as relevant today as it was when it was first written, inspiring countless young people to stay cool, stay focused, and stay true to their values, no matter what life throws their way.
Line by Line Meaning
Boy, boy, crazy boy,
Young man, you are energetic and wild,
Get cool, boy!
Calm down and try to be composed,
Got a rocket in your pocket,
You have strong sexual desires,
Keep coolly cool, boy!
Maintain your composure even when things get heated,
Don't get hot,
Do not get overly excited,
'Cause man, you got
Because you have
Some high times ahead.
A lot of exciting experiences and opportunities waiting for you in the future.
Take it slow and Daddy-O,
Relax and take your time, my friend,
You can live it up and die in bed!
Enjoy your life to the fullest extent, and you'll have no regrets,
Boy, boy, crazy boy!
Young man, don't be too wild,
Stay loose, boy!
Be free, relaxed and flexible,
Breeze it, buzz it, easy does it.
Just take it easy and don't worry about a thing,
Turn off the juice, boy!
Stop the excesses and take it down a notch,
Go man, go,
You are free to go out and explore the world,
But not like a yo-yo schoolboy.
But do not act like an immature, inexperienced teenager,
Just play it cool, boy,
Stay calm no matter what,
Real cool!
Stay relaxed and comfortable, no matter what the circumstances.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@SheldonSchorer
I had occasion to discuss Bernstein with someone who had played under him in the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. The stories he told of the depth of his understanding of each instrument and how he coaxed the best performance out of each player are amazing.
I had met him for lunch a day after Leonard Bernstein died. As my friend, (let's call him Cohen) played the double-bassoon in the Israel Philharmonic, I asked him to tell me some Leonard Bernstein stories. This is how he told it to me.
First of all, he said, Bernstein was an incredible musical genius. When rehearsing, he would always recognize any wrong notes and would both point it out and correct it. He was a wonderful teacher who knew each instrument and what the player would have to do to improve and get it right.
Did he ever correct you? I asked. He paused, took a long breath, and said - let me tell you what happened to me.
There is passage in a piece by Bruckner where the double-bassoon plays an exceptionally long passage. It's impossible to play the entire passage in one breath, so the question is whether you should take the breath near the beginnin or the end of the passage. I asked Bernstein which I should do. He said, "Cohen, I want you to do the entire passage in one breath." I protested that it was impossible, and he knew it and I renewed my request for instructions on when I should take my breath. He said, "One breath. Let's do the piece now, with one breath."
So the orchestra geared up for that piece, and when I reached the passage, I filled up with air, tried as hard as I could, but simply couldn't complete the passage. Bernstein said: "Don't worry. On the night of the performance you'll do it in one breath."
All of the time until the night of the performance, I was panicking out. What did this maniac want from me. If I try to do the whole piece in one breath, I will fail and the audience will know it. I'll embarrass myself. But if I take my regular breath, Bernstein will be disappointed in me.
I asked him, so what did you do?
On the night of the performance, I decided to try to do the passage in one breath. And I did it - in one breath!
I asked - did Bernstein stop the show to give you an applause?
No. But a bit later in the performance, he looked at me and briefly nodded his head. That was all, and that was plenty. When I went home, I was walking on air. I was floating. Bernstein knew how to motivate and get the best out of everybody.
He added a coda to the story. "Someone told me that when Bernstein returned to New York, he rehearsed the Philharmonic to do the same Bruckner piece. He also instructed Kelly, the double bassoonist to do the passage in one breath. Kelly complained: you know that that is impossible! Bernstein replied, "Why can't you do it? After all, Cohen in Israel did it."
@SheldonSchorer
I met a friend for lunch a day after Leonard Bernstein died. As my friend, (let's call him Cohen) played the double-bassoon in the Israel Philharmonic, I asked him to tell me some Leonard Bernstein stories. This is how he told it to me.
First of all, he said, Bernstein was an incredible musical genius. When rehearsing, he would always recognize any wrong notes and would both point it out and correct it. He was a wonderful teacher who knew each instrument and what the player would have to do to improve and get it right.
Did he ever correct you? I asked. He paused, took a long breath, and said - let me tell you what happened to me.
There is passage in a piece by Bruckner where the double-bassoon plays an exceptionally long passage. It's impossible to play the entire passage in one breath, so the question is whether you should take the breath near the beginnin or the end of the passage. I asked Bernstein which I should do. He said, "Cohen, I want you to do the entire passage in one breath." I protested that it was impossible, and he knew it and I renewed my request for instructions on when I should take my breath. He said, "One breath. Let's do the piece now, with one breath."
So the orchestra geared up for that piece, and when I reached the passage, I filled up with air, tried as hard as I could, but simply couldn't complete the passage. Bernstein said: "Don't worry. On the night of the performance you'll do it in one breath."
All of the time until the night of the performance, I was panicking out. What did this maniac want from me. If I try to do the whole piece in one breath, I will fail and the audience will know it. I'll embarrass myself. But if I take my regular breath, Bernstein will be disappointed in me.
I asked him, so what did you do?
On the night of the performance, I decided to try to do the passage in one breath. And I did it - in one breath!
I asked - did Bernstein stop the show to give you an applause?
No. But a bit later in the performance, he looked at me and briefly nodded his head. That was all, and that was plenty. When I went home, I was walking on air. I was floating. Bernstein knew how to motivate and get the best out of everybody.
He added a coda to the story. "Someone told me that when Bernstein returned to New York, he rehearsed the Philharmonic to do the same Bruckner piece. He also instructed Kelly, the double bassoonist to do the passage in one breath. Kelly complained: you know that that is impossible! Bernstein replied, "Why can't you do it? After all, Cohen in Israel did it."
@johnseriousmen9256
There’s a special place in hell for whoever put an ad smack in the middle of this
@poprockahead3924
Absolutely, straight to execution!
@Video7Rose
Amen to that!
@segmentsAndCurves
PAY.
@SpeegBJ
Thanks Tyler.
@hifijohn
cast the devil away with your savior called adblocker.
@darthstarkiller1912
Just think, 2024 marks the centennial of "Rhapsody in Blue" which is still a masterpiece of modern music. Gershwin was a genius, and Bernstein's conducting and piano playing were out of this world. Incredible performance.
@johnscanlan9335
Amen!!!
@kevinmalone3210
I'll 2nd that!
@David-yw2lv
The Bret "Hitman"Hart of musical compositions,the best there is,the best there was,the best that ever will be.