Favorite Videos that aren't "Thriller" #5 - "Kool Thing"

@teamfreak16 (43655)
Denver, Colorado
June 2, 2017 12:02am CST
We all constantly bring up how MTV used to actually play music videos, but many of us had local stations that often had music shows as well, usually very late at night. Hopefully, my Favorite Videos that aren't "Thriller" series is bringing some of those memories back. #5 in the countdown is a tune I've used before, but I just love, love, love the video: "Kool Thing" by Sonic Youth. Sonic Youth's 1990 album, Goo, was their major label debut (Geffen,) and "Kool Thing" was the first single from that record. A cool video was necessary to introduce the band to the world at large, and boy, did director Tamra Davis come up with a good one. If there was ever a t-shirt and jeans band, it was Sonic Youth. Look up any photo and I'll almost guarantee that that's how they are dressed. For "Kool Thing," the group is dressed up in glam mode. Glorious, over the top, Marc-Bolan-would-be-proud glam. Intersperse color and black and white shots, and toss in a guest appearance by Public Enemy's Chuck D (as "Kool Thing,") and Davis made the perfect video for such a rocking tune. I've used it before. And guess what? I'll probably use it again sometime. I like it that much. (Info verified by Wikipedia)
Music video by Sonic Youth performing Kool Thing. (C) 2004 Geffen Records
4 people like this
4 responses
• United States
2 Jun 17
Thats a great video Scott..love it Did you know also there was a boy band a trio of black youth in England way way back in the day called the same name..but cant find them to show you.
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Jun 17
@teamfreak16 Yeah no not them..they did like only one song that I remember. Some kids from London.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43655)
• Denver, Colorado
2 Jun 17
@TiarasOceanView - Yeah, that's one I definitely don't remember.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43655)
• Denver, Colorado
2 Jun 17
No, I don't remember them.I thought you might have been talking about Musical Youth, but that was five kids. I don't remember them.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86829)
• United States
2 Jun 17
That's a lot of pink in that background...and, hey, is that Scar in the video?
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43655)
• Denver, Colorado
3 Jun 17
I would say it's his stunt double, but I bet Scar does his own stunts.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
2 Jun 17
I just don`t remember this band and I watched MTV all the time.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43655)
• Denver, Colorado
2 Jun 17
They still were an alternative band, just on a major label. You were most likely to see them on 120 Minutes or Alternative Nation.
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
2 Jun 17
MTV seems to play anything but music videos these days.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43655)
• Denver, Colorado
2 Jun 17
It's like they go out of their way not to, so they can make a big deal about it when they do.
1 person likes this