Cool: A Standout Track on Gracie Abrams' "The Secret of Us (Deluxe)"
"Cool" is the standout track from Gracie Abrams' deluxe edition of "The Secret of Us," showcasing her growth as both a songwriter and vocalist. The song opens with an ethereal blend of synths and piano, immediately setting the stage for Abrams' raw and emotive delivery. While the track's pop sensibility draws comparisons to Taylor Swift, Abrams carves out her own space with honest and vulnerable storytelling.
Honest and Vulnerable Storytelling
Lyrically, "Cool" delves into the aftermath of a messy breakup, presumably inspired by her rumored relationship with actor Dylan O’Brien. Abrams doesn't shy away from calling out her ex's behavior, referencing his alleged interactions with other women like Sadie Sink and Elle Fanning. Lines like "You stranded Sadie and Sarah when they opened up / A waste of running mascara, you thought we wouldn't talk / Thought wrong" reveal a newfound confidence and refusal to be silenced.
Reclaiming Power and Finding Strength
Despite the anger and hurt, "Cool" is ultimately a song about reclaiming your power. Abrams sings of finding strength in moving on, declaring "Now I'm so cool / I'll be cool for the hell of it." The chorus is both catchy and cathartic, capturing the conflicting emotions of heartbreak and liberation.
Vocal Delivery and Emotional Impact
Abrams' vocals are the driving force behind the song's impact. Her delivery is nuanced and expressive, conveying the rawness of her emotions with every note. The bridge, where she sings "No, I'll be fine / I'll just look for the silver lining," is particularly poignant, showcasing her vulnerability and resilience.
A Testament to Gracie Abrams' Artistry
"Cool" is a testament to Gracie Abrams' artistry, demonstrating her ability to craft relatable narratives with depth and authenticity. It's a song that will resonate with anyone who has navigated the complexities of heartbreak and emerged stronger on the other side.
Listen to Gracie Abrams Cool
Gracie Abrams Cool Lyrics Meaning Explained
The meaning of "Cool" by Gracie Abrams is a multifaceted exploration of heartbreak, manipulation, and ultimately, empowerment. Through vulnerable lyrics and raw vocals, Abrams dissects a toxic relationship, presumably inspired by her rumored connection with actor Dylan O'Brien. The song delves into the complexities of love bombing, broken promises, and the struggle to reclaim one's sense of self after being entangled with a "phony superstar." "Cool" is an anthem of resilience, showcasing Abrams' growth as both an artist and an individual navigating the aftermath of a painful experience.
Cool: A Lyrical Deep Dive
Verse 1: Declarations of Independence
"Cool" opens with a declaration of independence and a refusal to be manipulated. "I'm not offended and I never was / I said I lied to your face, you can suck it up," Abrams sings, asserting her indifference towards her ex and his reaction to her honesty. She's done with playing games and owning her feelings. The lyrics "I'm actin' bored, it's my right, after all the love / That you bombed" highlight the manipulative tactic of love bombing, where excessive affection is used to gain control. Abrams reclaims her autonomy after being subjected to this behavior. She then paints a picture of her ex's post-breakup nonchalance with the lines "You kick back on your couch with a glass of wine / It's not the same as it was between you and I," contrasting his current ease with the past intensity of their relationship. This also subtly connects to "That's So True," suggesting a narrative link between the songs. Finally, she acknowledges the healing power of time: "Yeah, time can do somethin' funny, it can change my mind / Thank God."
Chorus: Reclaiming Power
The chorus is a powerful declaration of self-reclamation. "Now I'm so cool / I'll be cool for the hell of it," she proclaims, embracing her newfound strength and refusing to let her ex see her hurting. She exposes his broken promises with the lines "You promised me that you'd call, but you never did / Fool, I'm a fool if the shoe fits," acknowledging her own role in the relationship's demise. The line "You probably met up with Cass and said the same shit" likely alludes to Cazzie David, another woman linked to O'Brien, suggesting a pattern of behavior.
Post-Chorus: Suffocating and Escaping
The post-chorus captures the suffocating nature of the relationship. "Calm down, maybe, baby, calm down / Waited for your walls to close on me, they did," she sings, reflecting the feeling of being trapped, possibly alluding to the closing walls in "Maze Runner," a film starring O'Brien. The feeling of being lost and breathless is conveyed in the lines "I spun 'round, hate the way I spun 'round / All the way 'til I could barely breathe."
Verse 2: Unveiling the Truth
The second verse delves deeper into her ex's character and past actions. "I'm not pretending in the way you are / You run your hands through your hair, phony superstar," she sings, calling out his performative nature, potentially referencing his acting career and the inauthenticity she perceives in him, echoing themes from "Normal Thing." She expresses skepticism towards his expressions of remorse with "Then say you miss me, you're sad, yeah, I bet you are / Then guess what? Mm," hinting at his manipulative tendencies. The line "I wish that I didn't, but I know too much / You stranded Sadie and Sarah when they opened up" reveals her awareness of his past behavior with other women, including Sadie Sink and Sarah Ramos, suggesting a pattern of emotional unavailability. She highlights the solidarity between the women he's hurt with "A waste of running mascara, you thought we wouldn't talk / Thought wrong, ah," defying his attempts to control the narrative.
Bridge: Moving On, But Not Forgetting
The bridge shows her determination to move on while acknowledging the lingering impact of the relationship. "No, I'll be fine / I'll just look for the silver lining / Stay out of sight / Half my mind, you're still occupying," she sings. Her frustration and resentment are palpable in the lines "Kill for a while, stole my time / Thanks a lot for nothing / Stop, I'll be fine, I'll be fine."
Final Chorus & Post-Chorus: Breaking the Cycle
The final chorus and post-chorus drive home the themes of broken promises and cyclical behavior. "You promised me this was real, but it wasn't / Fool, I'm a fool if the shoe fits / You probably met up with Elle and said the same shit," she sings, now including Elle Fanning in the pattern. The repetition of "Calm down, maybe, baby, calm down / Waited for your walls to close on me, when they did / I spun 'round, hate the way I spun 'round / All the way 'til I could barely breathe" reinforces the feeling of being trapped and suffocated, emphasizing the struggle to escape his emotional grip.
Gracie Abrams Cool Lyrics
[Verse 1]
I'm not offended and I never was
I said I lied to your face, you can suck it up
I'm actin' bored, it's my right, after all the love
That you bombed
You kick back on your couch with a glass of wine
It's not the same as it was between you and I
Yeah, time can do somethin' funny, it can change my mind
Thank God
[Chorus]
Now I'm so cool
I'll be cool for the hell of it
You promised me that you'd call, but you never did
Fool, I'm a fool if the shoe fits
You probably met up with Cass and said the same shit
[Post-Chorus]
Calm down, maybe, baby, calm down
Waited for your walls to close on me, they did
I spun 'round, hate the way I spun 'round
All the way 'til I could barely breathe
[Verse 2]
I'm not pretending in the way you are
You run your hands through your hair, phony superstar
Then say you miss me, you're sad, yeah, I bet you are
Then guess what? Mm
I wish that I didn't, but I know too much
You stranded Sadie and Sarah when they opened up
A waste of running mascara, you thought we wouldn't talk
Thought wrong, ah
[Chorus]
Now I'm so cool
I'll be cool for the hell of it
You paint a picture of us just to burn it
Fool, I'm a fool if the shoe fits
I bet you met up with Dev and said the same shit
[Post-Chorus]
Calm down, maybe, baby, calm down
Waited for your walls to close on me, they did
I spun 'round, hate the way I spun 'round
All the way 'til I could barely breathe
Breathe, breathe
[Bridge]
No, I'll be fine
I'll just look for the silver lining
Stay out of sight
Half my mind, you're still occupying
Kill for a while, stole my time
Thanks a lot for nothing
Stop, I'll be fine, I'll be fine
[Chorus]
I'll be cool
I'm so cool for the hell of it
You promised me this was real, but it wasn't
Fool, I'm a fool if the shoe fits
You probably met up with Elle and said the same shit
[Post-Chorus]
Calm down, maybe, baby, calm down
Waited for your walls to close on me, when they did
I spun 'round, hate the way I spun 'round
All the way 'til I could barely breathe