"Cooling"

[ShockMeSane]

I've always loved this song.
Anyone want to give a little insight?

[veela]

maybe i didn't like hear
but i still can't believe speed racer is dead
so then i thought i'd make some plans
but fire thought she'd really rather be water instead

and peggy got a message for me, from jesus
and i heard every word that you have said
and i know i have been
driven like the snow

but this is cooling
faster then i can
this is cooling
faster then i...

but do i hate what she is
or do i want to be her
and don't we love something fresh
anything new, virgin

woman, you got too many brambles
hiding under these bushes
woman, you got too many brambles
but i always liked a good storm
always good for a storm

so then love walked up to like
said i know that you don't like me much
let's go for a ride
this ocean is wrapped around that pineapple tree
and is your place in heaven
worth giving up these kisses
these, yes, these kisses

and peggy got a message for me, from jesus
and i heard every word
that you have said
and i know i have been
driven like the snow

but this is cooling
faster than i can
hey...
faster than i can
cooling
this is cooling
this is cooling


this is absolutely one of my favorites. usually, i take these things line by line when i'm trying to figure them out but for me this song is so much more about the general feeling i get from it. to me, it's just a sad, sad song about losing someone you love and not being ready for it.

i think in the beginning she is a bit in denial. "thought i'd make some plans/but fire thought she'd really rather be water instead" makes me think that she is angry and wants some revenge but then the anger turned into sadness instead.

then, she is finally beginning to realize what is happening, she heard him perfectly, but it's just cooling faster than she can cool her feelings.

the next part "do i hate what she is/or do i want to be her, etc." is about the new girl. does she hate her and everything she's about or does she really want to be her because she's jealous?? then she is thinking that maybe he really likes the newness of this other girl, don't we all love new things??

she is feeling all this pain and venomous anger hiding underneath the surface and she doesn't really know how to find comfort in what is happening. i can't really explain any of it, i just know how it makes me feel really.

i remember one time, almost a year ago when this song first became important to me. i tend to go through phases with different songs of hers, i'll kind of like one but it won't be a favorite and then something will happen in my life that will completely help me relate to the song in a new way and then it becomes an absolute favorite. so that is what happened with cooling. i liked it, but wasn't in love yet. then, my boyfriend and i had this HUGE, terrible fight. he went home for the holidays right afterward and we never got to really work it out. new years came and we were supposed to spend it together so i asked him if he still wanted me to and he said he wasn't sure. everything about the relationship that had once been so wonderful had changed and i could feel it ending. i did go to see him and we sat on his bed and talked and i could feel the words that he wouldn't say just festering there. i knew he wanted to say that he needed a break and didn't want to do this anymore and all i could do was trace the pattern of his sheets with my eyes and over and over again in my head all i heard was "this is cooling faster than i can..."

things ended up getting better with him and then bad again and at that time, i would lay and play "cooling" over and over again and it took on a whole new meaning for me because i could feel it and relate to every line, every note. i think it's one of her saddest songs.

but this line will ALWAYS be one of my absolute favorites: "is your place in heaven worth giving up these kisses?"

AAAAHHHHHH!!!! that is the best line. my boy is big into traveling and it became a problem with us because he wanted to go here and here and do it all now now now but i couldn't afford to. this line always reminds me of that - is his traveling, his "heaven" and his place there worth giving up these kisses?? and depending on what the situation is, the "place in heaven" can take on different meanings for me, but this is the most prevalent.

okay, enough of my thoughts... what about the rest of you? what about you shockmesane? what does the song mean to you?

[orfeo]

This is one of my favourite Tori lyrics, at least in the cryptic Tori era (everything from Under the Pink until Scarlet's Walk).

My understanding of the Boys for Pele album (which this is sort of from) is that it's very much about relationships wih men, so that colours my understanding of this particular song.

To me it's basically about the guy having just declared the relationship is at an end, or coming to an end, and she's saying "No, wait, for me this relationship was really hot, you can't just cut it off like that".

So, suddenly it's dead (which she doesn't want to hear). She was making plans and cold water has just been poured over them.

I also think that she thinks it's "love" and he's just saying... no.

I suppose one thing that I haven't thought about so much is the 'brambles' verse, because I first heard the live version where this is missing. It seems there IS a new woman.

Also when I read the lyrics as posted here, I'm thinking that maybe the reason the relationship is called off is (at least in the guy's official version) something religious.

Maybe he's getting married (to Peggy) and ending his affair with the other woman?

[*Herry*]

Veela....oh my goodness. I'm all teary now! (but I'm a teary kinda gal, hee hee)
I never really thought about this song very much, even though I adore it. The way I read 'this is cooling' was completely different. Maybe it's a syntax thing, but I read it as 'this is (called) cooling', or 'this is (what it's like) cooling'. Something to that effect. But now, finally, the penny has dropped. Big time.
Veela, you're experience with your b/f is SO similar to what happened recently with my ex. Your interpretation (and Orfeo's) is beautiful, and so...right. For me.
My break-up songs were 'Running To Stand Still' (Tori's 'strange little hamsters' live version), 'Wednesday', Upside Down', 'Cloud On My Tongue' and other random non-Tori songs. But Cooling never entered into that soundtrack.
Thankyou very much Shock, for asking the question, and Veela and Orfeo for helping me realise something very beautiful and close. I feel like slapping my head, jumping for joy and having a good cry all at the same time!
;D

Thankyou,

Hels
♥

[veela]

oh my goodness hels, i'm so glad my little story could help!!! we should trade stories sometime!! hey jupiter was another big one for this relationship as was cloud on my tongue and i don't even know what others because it changes so much according to how things are going. oh, honey. yes, honey. "you're just too used to my honey now" - aaahhhhh, that line was too relevant.

anyway, hope you just play "cooling" on a loop and get in touch with all those sad but wonderful feelings! lol.

and thanks for your little interpretation because i never looked at the cooling line the way you looked at it. and orfeo thanks for yours too. i love other people's insights, they always help me look at a song that i've only ever saw from one angle in so many others!!!

kisses,
jessica

[♥Mary♥]

orfeo said:

Also when I read the lyrics as posted here, I'm thinking that maybe the reason the relationship is called off is (at least in the guy's official version) something religious.

OMG, I just popped in here for a minute, but wanted to say that I also have thought about the 'reason' being something to do with religion.....or religious beliefs. Yes.

I'll have to come back to this thread.....

I love this song. WITH the brambles even more.

[*Herry*]

veela said:

oh my goodness hels, i'm so glad my little story could help!!! we should trade stories sometime!! hey jupiter was another big one for this relationship as was cloud on my tongue and i don't even know what others because it changes so much according to how things are going. oh, honey. yes, honey. "you're just too used to my honey now" - aaahhhhh, that line was too relevant.

anyway, hope you just play "cooling" on a loop and get in touch with all those sad but wonderful feelings! lol.

and thanks for your little interpretation because i never looked at the cooling line the way you looked at it. and orfeo thanks for yours too. i love other people's insights, they always help me look at a song that i've only ever saw from one angle in so many others!!!

kisses,
jessica

Aw, sweetie thankyou! Seriously, we'll definitely have to get together PM-ing our stories...wow. That 'Honey' line is also jumping out at me now....also too relevant. Omg, it's like I have to go back and re-visit most of Tori's songs. Good heavens!
Aren't interps wonderful!

Ok, I'll be back!

Lots of love ♥

[veela]

Helen said:

Aw, sweetie thankyou! Seriously, we'll definitely have to get together PM-ing our stories...wow. That 'Honey' line is also jumping out at me now....also too relevant. Omg, it's like I have to go back and re-visit most of Tori's songs. Good heavens!
Aren't interps wonderful!

Ok, I'll be back!

Lots of love ¢¾

i will have to send you a pm soon when i have lots of time and give you the lowdown - maybe we can help each other understand some of the songs better!!! i'd love your insights. in the meantime, if you want to share your story, please do!!

for now, i have to start working, blech...

[*Herry*]

I'll start working on it petal!

[♣Miranda♣]

veela said:

then, she is finally beginning to realize what is happening, she heard him perfectly, but it's just cooling faster than she can cool her feelings.

the next part "do i hate what she is/or do i want to be her, etc." is about the new girl. does she hate her and everything she's about or does she really want to be her because she's jealous?? then she is thinking that maybe he really likes the newness of this other girl, don't we all love new things??

Like she's saying "Hold on, my feelings are still warm and this is happening too fast for me."

Sometimes I think "her" isn't necessarily a girl, but this new thing he's found (his heaven).

Veela, you talked about your boy being into travelling and how that's his heaven. Goodness, can I relate to that. A boy I love is living a new life half a world away, and this song makes me think of him every time I hear it.

[veela]

¢Àbluegirl¢À said:

Like she's saying "Hold on, my feelings are still warm and this is happening too fast for me."

Sometimes I think "her" isn't necessarily a girl, but this new thing he's found (his heaven).

Veela, you talked about your boy being into travelling and how that's his heaven. Goodness, can I relate to that. A boy I love is living a new life half a world away, and this song makes me think of him every time I hear it.

oh girlie, i feel for you!!! i've been there, trust me. even now, when he says he realizes the things that are really important and that he can travel whenever and doesn't need to do it all right now, i am still terrified of him picking up and leaving. we'll have to talk!

[♣Miranda♣]

veela said:

oh girlie, i feel for you!!! i've been there, trust me. even now, when he says he realizes the things that are really important and that he can travel whenever and doesn't need to do it all right now, i am still terrified of him picking up and leaving. we'll have to talk!

Just say when and we'll have a big ol' "boys leaving" talk.

[*Herry*]

Can I join in too?

[veela]

Helen said:

Can I join in too?

of course!!! i'll have to PM both of you and we can all share our stories... but right now i'm actually visiting the boy so i should run, he he....

[*Herry*]

Okiday! ;D

[♣Miranda♣]

Helen said:

Can I join in too?

We'll have a big share fest!

[Julie]

COOLING

Maybe I - didn't like to hear
But I still can't believe - Speed Racer is dead
So then I - thought I'd make some plans
But fire thought - she'd really rather be water instead
Sometimes the most excited, bubbly, energetic, and insane people crave calmness and that's when you come into relaxation when it is the timing is off in your life.

And Peggy got a message for me - from Jesus
And I heard every word - that you have said
And I know I - have been
Driven like the snow
But this is cooling
Faster than I can
This is cooling
Faster than I
She has been worked so hard that she needs to calm down and even calming herselt takes work.

But do I hate what she is
Or do I want to be her
And don't we love something fresh?
Anything new - virgin
Even though she may hate the laid back or bored life, it is what she desperately needs and doesn't know if she condones or craves.

Woman - you got too many brambles
Hiding under these bushes
Woman - you got too many brambles
But I always liked a good storm
Always good for a - storm
She always has and wants drama and excitement in her life.

So then love walked up to like
And said - I know that you don't like me much
Let's go for a ride
This ocean's - wrapped around - that pineapple tree
And is your place in Heaven
Worth giving up - these kisses
These - yes - these kisses
And Peggy got a message for me - from Jesus
And I heard every word
That you have said
And I know I have been
Driven like the snow
But this is cooling
Faster than I can
Hey
Faster than I can
Cooling
This is cooling
This is cooling

Here's Tori's description of it:
"She was supposed to be on Pele, and she told me to 'fuck off'. Then she was supposed to be on Choirgirl, and she said, 'you know....no. And then she said she'd like to be played live.....so i play her alot."
-- Tori intro to song; To Venus And Back: Live Still Orbiting

"This is sorta my goodbye to you."
-- Tori; VH1 Hard Rock Cafe Live, 10/15/99

"So, um, i wrote this song, um, when i lived in a bridge. When I didn't live on land or I didn't live on water. it was this thing in the air...and you kinda went under it as a boat. and my piano was just a boat...sorta where the boats went under. and I was writing a song for Boys For Pele, and um...I'm doing my habit, I'm sorry! and uh, I uh, thought it was gonna make the record and it didn't. and it didn't make this record, but I think it's probably one of our favorites."
-- Tori intro to song; in-concert

"I wish she had been on Pele, cause I think it would have been kinda cool for a volcano to say 'This is cooling faster than I can'."
-- Tori; Boston FNX AIDS benefit, 12/03/99

"Cooling is a song that was written for Boys for Pele and it didn’t really fit in the album, so it came out as a B side for Spark in England; you can get it as an import. And I play it a lot now; I tried to put it on this record but it didn’t really fit."
-- Tori; TVGEN/Yahoo Chat, Aug 5, 1998

---

: In The Springtime of His Voodoo - Tori Amos

---

[olittlesister]

I think this song (the original lyrics) could be about losing someone you love who has died.

I had a dream that Jesus spoke to me when I was a kid. Fast forward to when my daughter was born, she was the fulfillment of many things in that dream. Her name was Maggie. But then she very suddenly died before her first birthday, before she ever spoke her first word.

I substitute her name in my mind "Maggie got a message for me from Jesus. And I have heard every word that you have said."

But this line especially reminds me of her: "Is your place in Heaven worth giving up...these kisses?"

This is cooling faster than I...