Finally. Finally it’s warm, sunny, and beautiful. It’s the type of weather where you roll down the windows, put the shades on, and drive with the radio blaring. On repeat during my commute was “Cooler Than Me” by Mike Posner….#PhillipsSongOfTheDay
Mike Posner started out producing mix tapes for hip hop artist Big Sean. He has grown to writing and producing for other artists, including Justin Bieber, Wiz Khalifa, 2 Chainz, Nelly, Pharrell Williams, among many others. In 2010, he released his solo debut album, 31 Minutes to Takeoff.
When “Cooler Than Me” first came out, I did find the song incredibly catchy, but it never was a song I had on repeat. Perhaps it was because I found Posner’s vocals to be slightly off-putting. I’m not suggesting that he is a poor vocalist or musician, it’s more the fact that his voice comes off a bit too….husky. It may just be his voice and who he is, but it just seems almost unnatural. However, once I swallowed my pride, I realized that this song truly has substance/attitude that I really relate to:
“You got designer shades,
Just to hide your face
And you wear them around like you’re cooler than me.
And you never say “Hey”
Or remember my name.
And it’s probably cause you think you’re cooler than me.”
I had the pleasure to meet someone just like this in one of my classes this semester. They wear the designer clothes, they try to hide their emotions, and they think they’re cooler than me. I learned in another one of my classes and read in a textbook that a key to power and leadership is to act aloof like this because people will want to know you and be like you. This might be somewhat true because I originally thought I had/needed to get this person to like me. I thought I needed to be like them and that I needed to be friends with them. But like Posner, I now couldn’t care anymore about this person or people like them. We might try to win aloof people over, but when it comes down to it, we won’t wait forever. You lost us.
Moving on….Musically, Posner pulls of intriguing beats (dance party!…ahem) and synths that are catchy, another reason to put it on repeat. My favorite part is the last thirty-four seconds. I like how he ends the song with a counter-melody, which he brings up an octave…I find it inspiring and it gives me goosebumps.
Listen to “Cooler Than Me:”
*If it's sunny out and finally warm where you are, enjoy the weather! I plan on doing homework/studying for finals outside. Deep breaths, we made it through winter!*
