Cool
Tucker Smith Lyrics

The lyrics of Tucker Smith's "Cool" are a part of the musical West Side Story, and it is important to understand the context of the song to fully interpret the meaning behind the lyrics. The musical is essentially a modern-day version of Romeo and Juliet, set in the West Side of Manhattan, where two rival gangs, the Jets and the Sharks, are fighting against each other. The song "Cool" is performed by the character Riff, who is the leader of the Jets, and he sings this song to try and keep control over his gang.

The lyrics of "Cool" focus on the idea of staying calm and maintaining control in a volatile environment. Riff sings, "You wanna live in this lousy world? Play it cool", suggesting that in order to survive in the harsh, violent world they live in, they must remain cool and not let emotions control them. The repeated phrases of "Get cool", "Bust cool", and "Go cool" reinforce this idea of remaining in control, even in high-stress situations. Riff also warns, "Don't get hot 'cause man, you've got some high times ahead", urging his gang members to stay focused and disciplined, as they have a lot at stake.

The song includes references to the struggles of adolescence, with lines such as "Boy, boy, crazy boy" and "Turn off the juice, boy", indicating that the gang members are still just boys trying to find their way in the world. However, Riff's message is clear: if they want to survive, they must stay cool, calm, and collected.