In 1992, No Doubt released “Trapped in a Box”.
Their first release showcased a style that could be described as No Doubt version 1.0, embodying the influence of Madness in the American ska resurgence. Despite being overlooked during the popularity of grunge, “Trapped in a Box” still manages to be enjoyable with its slight touch of 1930s jazz in its sound. However, No Doubt quickly evolved from this track.
19. Gwen Stefani – Luxurious (2004)
This track is from Gwen Stefani’s first solo album, Love Angel Music Baby. It was produced by Nellee Hooper and incorporates elements of R&B and slow jam music. The song features G-funk synthesizers and a sample from the Isley Brothers’ hit “Between the Sheets” from the early 1980s. Special guest Gavin Rossdale makes an appearance, even speaking French. The overall vibe of the song is one of relaxed and dreamy romance, with a catchy melody at its core.
The song “I Throw My Toys Around” was released in 1998 by the band No Doubt.
The title implies that it was created for The Rugrats Movie, but the song has a deeper meaning. It was written by Elvis Costello and his then-partner Cait O’Riordan, with Costello singing during the chorus. The song tackles the issue of stereotyping women with passion and intensity.
The 2016 song “Red Flag” by Gwen Stefani.
Stefani’s breakup album This Is What the Truth Feels Like wasn’t quite the roaring solo comeback she might have hoped for, garnering mixed reviews and indifferent sales. But it has its highlights, including Red Flag, on which the wilfully cluttered, synth-heavy sound seems to mirror the state of mind exposed in the lyrics.
The song “Settle Down” by No Doubt was released in 2012.
The return of No Doubt with Push and Shove was a major disappointment in terms of sales, as it became their lowest-selling album to date. However, this does not accurately portray the quality of the music itself. For evidence, take a listen to the album’s opener, “Settle Down,” which once again incorporates the band’s affinity for Jamaican music with a dancefloor twist.
Gwen Stefani’s “Used to Love You” was released in 2016.
Despite an opening track called Misery, This Is What the Truth Feels Like seldom seems overwhelmed by sadness. The lyrics of Used to Love You detail the collapse of Stefani’s marriage, but the music – poppy, bright, upbeat – tells a markedly different story: winningly, it ultimately sounds as if she is glad to be shot of him.
This song was released in 2001 and features Bounty Killer. Its title is “Hey Baby” and it is performed by No Doubt.
Rock Steady was the No Doubt album that went all-out for 00s pop domination – presumably in reaction to the ska- and new wave-focused Return of Saturn – dragging everyone from Pharrell Williams to Prince to Sly and Robbie into the equation. The latter produced Hey Baby, a bold diversion into dancehall with a preposterously earworm hook.
In 2004, the artist Gwen Stefani released a song called “Bubble Pop Electric” featuring Johnny Vulture.
In between the hits on Love Angel Music Baby lurked an appealingly ludicrous collaboration with André 3000 (credited as Johnny Vulture) that seemed to spring from the same well of boundary-free creativity as his contributions to Outkast’s later albums: fizzy synth, distorted rock guitar and cutesy harmonies over a stammering, warp-speed rhythm track.
The song “Just a Girl” by No Doubt was released in 1995.
For British listeners first exposed to No Doubt through Don’t Speak, the success of their other major hit from the critically acclaimed album Tragic Kingdom may have been surprising. The song featured a sharp message critiquing the portrayal of women in rock music, set to a blend of explosive pop and punk, while highlighting the infectious chorus and Stefani’s gritty vocals.
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11. No Doubt – Ex-Girlfriend (2000)
No Doubt took five years to release a new album after Tragic Kingdom. Return of Saturn, while still upbeat with pop-punk elements, had a more melancholic tone. It seemed that lead singer Stefani was going through a romantic crisis in her late twenties, as reflected in songs like Ex-Girlfriend, which is both fast-paced and emotionally charged.
10. Gwen Stefani – Yummy (2006)
Yummy is audibly the work of the Neptunes, who also made Kelis’s Milkshake: it’s minimal, bass-free, driven by its drum track and regularly interrupted by unpredictable bursts of out-there electronics. For some reason, it got a lukewarm reception – Stefani wanted it as a single, her record label demurred. They were wrong.
“No Doubt” released “Underneath It All” featuring Lady Saw in 2002.
Some of No Doubt and Stefani’s songs with reggae influence are not successful – at their most catchy, they can sound similar to Ace of Base. However, the production by Sly and Robbie, along with guest artist Lady Saw, provides an authentic touch to “Underneath It All” with dub echoes. And the overall song is fantastic.
8. No Doubt – Spiderwebs (1995)
Spiderwebs, the hit from Tragic Kingdom, highlights No Doubt’s ska-revival origins by rebelling against a persistent admirer who potentially poses a threat of becoming a stalker – “It’s all your fault I screen my phone calls”. This track expertly combines a catchy melody with a mix of reggae verses and punky choruses.
The song “Hollaback Girl” was released in 2004 by Gwen Stefani.
Drawing inspiration from Queen’s hit song “Another One Bites the Dust” and a sarcastic jab at Gwen Stefani from Courtney Love’s quote “She’s the cheerleader and I’m out in the smoker shed,” “Hollaback Girl” features angry yet defiant lyrics set against a minimalistic instrumental track of thunderous drums and piercing synths.
The 1995 song “Don’t Speak” by No Doubt.
The fact that No Doubt had bigger aspirations than just ska revival is evident in their hit song, “Don’t Speak.” Unlike their previous two-tone sound, this song was a powerful stadium-sized power ballad. Its expert composition and emotional impact have solidified its place on oldies radio forever.
Number 5 in the list is “Early Winter” (2008) by Gwen Stefani.
Stefani reached out to various collaborators at the beginning of her individual music journey, and among them was Keane’s Tim Rice-Oxley – perhaps the most surprising choice. Nevertheless, their collaboration resulted in the standout track of The Sweet Escape: a beautiful and impactful song with Rice-Oxley’s skillful piano accompaniment layered with synthesizers. Stefani’s vocal performance is truly remarkable, showcasing her inspiration.
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4. Gwen Stefani – Cool (2004)
The album Love Angel Music Baby showcases impressive production techniques, but at times a well-crafted song is all that’s necessary. The track Cool combines catchy guitar riffs with bittersweet lyrics that evoke nostalgic feelings, resulting in a timeless melody that could have been a success in any decade over the past half century.
3. No Doubt – Hella Good (2002)
“It was a cultural collision” is how No Doubt referred to their choice to collaborate with the Neptunes. However, their song “Hella Good” appears to be more mutually beneficial than such a label implies, especially considering Chad Hugo and Williams’ rock-inspired NERD persona. The outcome is an incredibly impressive fusion of ideas: groovy, catchy, and precise.
2. No Doubt – Sunday Morning (1997)
While not a chart-topper, this track stands out as the standout on the album “Tragic Kingdom” as it combines ska and Motown influences, reminiscent of The Clash, with a strong dose of pop. The lyrics express deep resentment towards a past relationship and Stefani’s delivery conveys a genuine sense of spite.
The artist Gwen Stefani released the song “What You Waiting For?” in 2004.
Stefani experienced a lot of uncertainty while working on her album Love Angel Music Baby. She struggled with writer’s block and was unsure of the reason for going solo, aside from pressure from her label. To express her feelings, she put everything into the song What You Waiting For?. The song begins with a slow, ballad-like section that reflects her doubts about leaving her band No Doubt – “What a family… now it’s just me.” However, the song quickly shifts to a powerful electronic and new wave sound, where Stefani addresses her doubts and encourages herself to take a chance – “Take a chance you foolish person!” With lyrics that mention the record company’s desire for a “hot track”, What You Waiting For? serves as a perfect response.
Source: theguardian.com
