Play It Cool (Whitney Thornton song)

"Play It Cool" is the debut single written by Ericka Streets and DJ Kubin, and performed by Kuboian singer Whitney Thornton. It was released as a single on 26th March, 2006, initially stated to be the lead single as a studio album scheduled for 2007, though the album was scrapped and "Play It Cool" became a non-album single. It was, however, included on the compilation album The Best of Whitney Thornton upon its release in 2008.

"Play It Cool" was a number one hit on the Karuboia charts, and remained at the top for four weeks. Despite its commercial success, it received negative reviews from critics, who criticised the lyrics and Thornton's image. It was referred to as some sources as one of the worst songs of all-time by some sources during its original release.

Background
Ericka Streets and DJ Kubin got together to write "Play It Cool" for Thornton over two periods which occurred on the 4th and 8th of January 2006. Thornton recorded her lines in February that year, after a day of school. According to Thornton, Streets gave her the song's lyrics and let her listen to a rough instrumental produced by Kubin. Thornton was told that she was allowed to "sing with her own style", but if she wanted any changes to the lyrics, then the recording session would have to be delayed. Whilst Thornton avcepted the song as it is, her parents were supposedly unkeen on some of the lyrics, so Streets make some quick changes in order to compensate.

Critical reception
Deespite a somewhat positive review by the Open Eagle, the song was panned by many critics alike. Some sources branded Thornton as "fake", and acting as a stereotypical karoul in order to gain more media attention and sell better. A review by British newspaper The Guardian cited "Play It Cool" as "so hilariously cliché that it is almost like a parody".

Thornton's parents fought back at the criticism, citing most of it as "insulting". Thornton's mother claimed in a 2018 interview that the criticism made Thornton demotivated and unable to concentrate in school.