Meaning of "Someone Who's Cool" by Odds

The lyrics of "Someone Who's Cool" delve into the complexity of the human desire for social validation and the lengths people may go to fit in or be perceived as cool. The speaker acknowledges their use of deception and calculated behaviors, suggesting that they have honed their outward appearance and persona to carefully navigate social situations and gain recognition. However, beneath the surface, they feel vulnerable and uncertain, recognizing that their supposed coolness is just a facade.

The first verse highlights the use of disguises and tactics to hide vulnerabilities, such as "window dressing" and a "bark bigger than my teeth." These methods have allowed the speaker to succeed in certain situations, represented by "the suit that got me the gig" and "the tear that got me the girl." The lyrics imply that the speaker feels like a wolf in sheep's clothing, pretending to be cool and confident when they feel more like a sheep, lacking authenticity.

The second verse explores the speaker's inner turmoil and the conflict between what they want and what they believe others want from them. They describe themselves as having a soul "swallowed up in symbols," suggesting that they have prioritized external symbols of coolness and status over genuine self-expression and emotional depth. The mention of "temporary cancer" implies that the speaker will do anything, even feign illness, to gain sympathy and maintain the perception of coolness, even if it is not true.

The bridge of the song offers further insight into the speaker's internal struggle. They compare themselves to actors who play Jesus in movies of the week, suggesting that they are performing a role rather than embracing their true self. The line, "What other people wish for oozes from my every pore," reveals a sense of resentment or frustration that the speaker feels pressured to fulfill other people's desires and expectations while neglecting their own.

Ultimately, the repeated line "I'm a picture that I'm holding of someone who is cool" emphasizes the speaker's awareness of their own inauthenticity. They see themselves as an image, a mere representation of coolness, rather than genuinely embodying those qualities. The song captures the struggle many individuals face in conforming to societal ideals and the toll it takes on their self-esteem and sense of identity.