“Cool Change” is a song by the Australian rock band Little River Band, written by lead singer Glenn Shorrock and released in August 1979 as the second single from their album First Under the Wire. Although it achieved significant commercial success in the United States, peaking at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1980, it failed to chart in Australia at the time of its release.
The song’s creation was driven by intense internal conflict within the band, particularly between Shorrock and guitarist Graeham Goble, whom Shorrock described as being like “chalk and cheese.” Shorrock later admitted the track was a “cry for help” and a desire to escape the band’s toxic dynamic, using the metaphor of a “cool change”—a refreshing cold front in southern Australia—to symbolize his need for personal tranquility and escape.
Despite its troubled origins, the song became a quintessential example of yacht rock, celebrated for its smooth harmonies and nautical imagery. In May 2001, the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) named it one of the Top 30 Australian songs of all time, and it received a special citation from BMI for over two million radio broadcasts in the United States.
[Verse 1: Glenn Shorrock]
If there’s one thing in my life that’s missing
It’s the time that I spend alone
Sailing on the cool and bright clear water
There’s lots of those friendly people
They’re showing me ways to go
But I never want to lose their inspiration
[Chorus: Glenn Shorrock]
Time for a cool change
I know that it’s time for a cool change
And now that my life is so prearranged
I know that it’s time for a cool change
[Verse 2: Glenn Shorrock]
Well, I was born in the sign of water
And it’s there that I feel my best
The albatross and the whales, they are my brothers
It’s kind of a special feeling
When you’re out on the sea alone
Staring at the full moon like a lover
[Chorus: Glenn Shorrock, Graeham Goble & Beeb Birtles, All]
(Time) Time for (a cool change) cool change
(Time for) I know that it’s time for (A cool change)
(Time for) Now that my life (A cool change) is so prearranged
(Time for) I know that it’s time for (A cool change)
[Bridge: Glenn Shorrock]
I’ve never been romantic
And sometimes I don’t care
I know it may sound selfish
But let me breathe the air
Yeah, yeah
Let me breathe the air
[Verse 3: Glenn Shorrock]
If there’s one thing in my life that’s missing
It’s the time that I spend alone
Sailing on the cool and bright clear water
It’s kind of a special feeling
Out on the sea alone
Staring at the full moon like a lover
[Chorus: Glenn Shorrock, Graeham Goble & Beeb Birtles, All]
(Time) Time for (a cool change) cool change
(Time for) I know that it’s time for (A cool change)
(Time for) Now that my life (A cool change) is so prearranged
(Time for) I know that it’s time for (A cool change) cool, cool change
[Outro: Glenn Shorrock, Graeham Goble & Beeb Birtles, All]
(Time for) It’s time, it’s time, it’s time, it’s time
(A cool change) it’s time, it’s time for a cool, cool change
(Time for) Ooh, I know it’s time for a (cool change) cool, cool change
(Time for) Now that my life (A cool change) is so prearranged
Well, I know, (Time for) I know, I know, I know
(A cool change) It’s time for a cool change
Yes, it is, yes, it is, yes, it is, yes, it is
You know it’s time for a cool, cool change
