In 1979 Robert Hazard recorded a demo of the song "Girls Just Want To Have … Read Full Bio ↴In 1979 Robert Hazard recorded a demo of the song "Girls Just Want To Have Fun". Which was later re-recorded by Cyndi Lauper, who made the song a hit in 1984. This was followed in 1981 by demos of the songs "Escalator of Life" and "Change Reaction". These two songs received extensive radio airplay in Philadelphia. Around this time, Kurt Loder from Rolling Stone magazine chanced upon a performance by Robert Hazard and the Heroes at a Philadelphia club. Loder was so impressed by the band's show that he wrote a full page article about them in the November 1981 issue of Rolling Stone. In the article, he predicted that the "limousine life" could not be far away for this band from Philadelphia.

In 1982, Robert Hazard and the Heroes released their highly anticipated debut record. The self-produced and self-titled five song EP quickly sold over 300,000 copies in the Philadelphia area. Soon thereafter, the record caught the attention of the recording industry and the band was signed to an eight album deal by RCA. RCA released a remixed version of the EP nationally and Rolling Stone magazine gave the record four stars.

In late 1982, Robert Hazard removed The Heroes from the marquee and replaced two of The Heroes, John Lilley and Rob Miller with new band members. The band's new line-up performed "Change Reaction" and "Escalator of Life" on Dick Clark's American Bandstand TV show. Around this time, Cyndi Lauper recorded the '80's anthem "Girls Just Want To Have Fun". (See VH1 VJ talk about the song.) Her version was a huge hit, peaking at number 2 on the Billboard charts in 1984.

In 1984, Robert Hazard released his highly anticipated first full length album - "Wing of Fire." This album was intended to expand musically upon the song material that he had been playing live for the past few years. However, the production of the record suffered due to too much involvement from RCA management. Regardless, the record received an impressive advance order of 89,000 copies. Unfortunately, the record promotion was hampered by management changes at RCA, and sales stalled.

In 1986, Robert Hazard released another self-produced record titled "Darling." He named his revamped band the New Heroes.

[1991 Reunion]

In 1991, Robert Hazard and the Heroes reunited for a 10 year reunion concert at the now defunct Chestnut Cabaret on 38th Street in Philadelphia.

In 1998, Robert Hazard released the "Howl" CD, and began performing in the Philadelphia area with his new band, The Hombres.

In July 2002, Robert Hazard released a limited edition compilation CD, titled "Out of the Blue", that featured classic Hazard songs from the eighties. In the summer of 2003, after a five year hiatus, he returned to the studio and recorded "The Seventh Lake" CD which was produced by the T-Bone Wolk. In 2004, Robert Hazard recorded and released the "Blue Mountain" CD.

Robert Hazard died unexpectedly August 5, 2008 at age 59 after surgery for pancreatic cancer at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

The Cool Life
Robert Hazard Lyrics

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She's waiting in a terminal
Her skin is smooth as tile
Her raincoat is reversible
But her tears are out of style

She's living in a wealthy world
With so much to offer
Her love is a game of chance

I won her and I lost her

But I'm alright, I'm living the cool life
Living the cool life
And it's cool
And it's cool

I'm sleeping with my telephone
I wake to my TV
I'm searching for the microphone
I know they can see me

I'm living in a wealthy world
With so much to offer
Our love is a game of chance
I won her and I lost her

But I'm alright, I'm living the cool life
Living the cool life
And it's cool
And it's cool

She is a pure white horse
She is a negative
She is a beautiful mutation
I'm a give me a cigarette

I'm a get down tonight
I'm a walkin' danger
Out to make some penetration

Living the cool life
Living the cool life
Living the cool life
Living the cool life

I'm living the cool life
Living the cool life
Living the cool life
I'm living the cool life

I'm living the cool life
I'm living the cool life
I'm living the, ooh, cool!
Say, I'm living the cool life

I'm living the cool life

Overall Meaning

The song "The Cool Life" by Robert Hazard explores a theme of detachment and living on the surface while hiding deeper emotions. The singer paints a picture of a woman waiting in a terminal, with smooth skin and a reversible raincoat, but her tears are out of style. She lives in a wealthy world with much to offer, but her love is a game of chance that the singer won and lost. In contrast, the singer himself is living the cool life. He sleeps with his telephone, searching for the microphone, and wakes up to his TV. He is constantly on display, but he is detached and aloof. He is a walking danger, out to make some penetration, and he is living the cool life.

The lyrics describe the price of living a superficial and unemotional life in a world of wealth and privilege. The singer may have everything that money can buy, but he cannot connect with anyone on a deeper level. His love is a game of chance, and he has lost it. He cannot even express his emotions, instead of hiding them behind the cool façade. The song emphasizes the emptiness and loneliness of living a life that looks good on the surface but is devoid of substance.

Line by Line Meaning

She's waiting in a terminal
She is stuck at a transit point and waiting for something to happen

Her skin is smooth as tile
Her skin is so clean and clear, it looks like it's been polished

Her raincoat is reversible
Her raincoat can be turned inside out and worn either way

But her tears are out of style
Her sadness is out of fashion and unappealing

She's living in a wealthy world
She comes from an affluent environment

With so much to offer
There are many opportunities and experiences available to her

Her love is a game of chance
Her affection is unpredictable

I won her and I lost her
I was with her and then I wasn't

But I'm alright, I'm living the cool life
I am content with my current lifestyle and situation

I'm sleeping with my telephone
I go to bed with my phone next to me

I wake to my TV
I turn on my TV as soon as I wake up