The song “Trapped in a Box” was released in 1992 by the band No Doubt.
Their debut single offered what you might call No Doubt version 1.0, Madness-loving exemplars of the US ska revival. Ignored at the height of grunge, Trapped in a Box is fun – there’s a hint of 30s jazz about its sound – although No Doubt themselves would swiftly move on.
19. Gwen Stefani – Luxurious (2004)
This song is from Gwen Stefani’s first solo album, Love Angel Music Baby. It was produced by Nellee Hooper and has a blend of R&B and slow jam styles. The song includes G-funk synths and samples from the Isley Brothers’ song “Between the Sheets” from the 1980s. Gavin Rossdale also makes a guest appearance, speaking in French. The overall mood of the song is one of relaxed romance, with a catchy melody at its core.
“I Throw My Toys Around” by No Doubt released in 1998.
The song title implies it was created specifically for The Rugrats Movie, but upon further examination, it seems to have a more profound meaning. Elvis Costello, who joins on the chorus as a guest vocalist, and his then-partner Cait O’Riordan, crafted this intense piece that denounces the act of stereotyping women.
17. Gwen Stefani – Red Flag (2016)
Stefani’s album following her breakup, titled This Is What the Truth Feels Like, did not have the successful solo return she may have anticipated. The album received a mixed reception and did not perform well in terms of sales. However, it does have standout tracks, such as Red Flag, where the intentionally chaotic, synth-driven sound reflects the emotional turmoil conveyed in the lyrics.
Sixteen. “Settle Down” by No Doubt, released in 2012.
The return of No Doubt with Push and Shove was a major disappointment in terms of sales, with the album being their lowest-selling release to date. However, this does not accurately represent the quality of the music on the album. An example of this is the opening track Settle Down, which continues the band’s long-standing appreciation for Jamaican music and incorporates dance influences.
Gwen Stefani released “Used to Love You” in 2016.
Although the first song is titled “Misery,” This Is What the Truth Feels Like does not feel burdened by sorrow. While the lyrics of “Used to Love You” reflect Stefani’s failed marriage, the catchy and upbeat music gives a contrasting impression – it seems that she is relieved to be rid of her ex.
The song “Hey Baby” by No Doubt featuring Bounty Killer was released in 2001.
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.
Thirteen – “Bubble Pop Electric” by Gwen Stefani featuring Johnny Vulture released in 2004.
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.
No hesitation – Simply a Woman (1995)
For British viewers who were first exposed to No Doubt through Don’t Speak, the next major hit on their successful album Tragic Kingdom may have been surprising. It featured a catchy verse that criticized the portrayal of women in rock, blending with energetic pop-punk elements, though with a stronger focus on the pop side, along with an uplifting chorus and an emotionally charged performance by lead singer Stefani.
11. No Doubt – Ex-Girlfriend (2000)
No Doubt took five years to release another album after Tragic Kingdom. Despite its lively pop-punk energy, Return of Saturn was a more somber and emotional comeback. It seemed like lead singer Stefani was going through a romantic crisis in her late twenties, as shown in songs like “Ex-Girlfriend” which is both fast-paced and filled with inner turmoil.
10. Gwen Stefani – Yummy (2006)
The song “Yummy” is clearly the product of the Neptunes, who were also behind Kelis’s hit “Milkshake.” It has a simple and subdued sound, lacking bass and relying on its drum beat. The song is occasionally interrupted by unexpected and experimental electronic elements. Despite this, it was not well-received, with Stefani wanting to release it as a single but her record label disagreeing. In hindsight, they were mistaken.
The song “Underneath It All” by No Doubt featuring Lady Saw was released in 2002.
Some of No Doubt and Stefani’s songs that are influenced by reggae don’t quite hit the mark – at their most poppy, they almost resemble Ace of Base. However, thanks to Sly and Robbie’s production, and the addition of guest artist Lady Saw, “Underneath It All” has a true reggae sound with dub-inspired effects. Plus, the overall song is fantastic.
8. No Doubt – Spiderwebs (1995)
The hit from Tragic Kingdom that really betrayed No Doubt’s ska-revival roots, Spiderwebs flips off a persistent suitor who appears worrying close to becoming a stalker – “It’s all your fault I screen my phone calls” – and in the process aligns a super-hooky melody to music that flips between reggae verses and punky chorus.
Number 7 on the list is “Hollaback Girl” by Gwen Stefani, released in 2004.
Influenced by the song “Another One Bites the Dust” by Queen and a snarky comment directed at Stefani by Courtney Love – “She’s the popular girl and I’m stuck in the smoking area” – Hollaback Girl features angry yet confident lyrics over a minimalistic instrumentation of clashing drums and blaring synthesizers.
In 1995, No Doubt released “Don’t Speak.”
No Doubt’s aspirations extended beyond ska revivalism, evident in their hit song “Don’t Speak.” This track was not at all affiliated with two-tone music and instead, showcased the band’s ability to create powerful, stadium-worthy ballads. Well-crafted and impactful, this timeless tune will likely continue to be played on oldies radio.
5. Gwen Stefani – Early Winter (2008)
Stefani reached out to several collaborators at the beginning of her solo journey, and one of the most surprising was Keane’s Tim Rice-Oxley. However, their collaboration resulted in the standout track of The Sweet Escape, with Rice-Oxley’s graceful and strong piano complemented by layered synthesizers. Stefani’s vocals were clearly fueled by inspiration, making it a fantastic performance.
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4. Gwen Stefani – Cool (2004)
Love Angel Music Baby features plenty of hip production fireworks, but sometimes all you need is a great song. On Cool, chugging guitars meet end-of-the-affair lyrics amplified by the melody’s wistful melancholy with timeless results. It would have been a hit at any point in the last 50 years.
3. No Doubt – Hella Good (2002)
No Doubt described their decision to work with the Neptunes as a “cultural collision”, but Hella Good sounds far more symbiotic than that suggests, not least because Chad Hugo and Williams turned up in rock-y NERD mode. The result is a pretty amazing meeting of minds: funky, poppy, but razor-sharp.
2. No Doubt – Sunday Morning (1997)
While not the most popular tune, it is undoubtedly the standout track on Tragic Kingdom. With a blend of ska, Motown, and hints of the Clash, there’s also a strong dose of pop infused in the mix. The lyrics mainly revolve around harsh feelings towards a failed relationship, and Stefani delivers them with believable spite.
American singer Gwen Stefani released the song “What You Waiting For?” in 2004.
Stefani struggled with uncertainty while creating her album Love Angel Music Baby. She faced writer’s block and questioned her decision to go solo, which was mainly driven by her label. These doubts were channeled into the song What You Waiting For?. The track begins as a somber ballad, reflecting her doubts about leaving her band No Doubt – “What a family … now it’s only me” – but then transforms into an energetic blend of electropop and new wave. Through this song, Stefani expresses and ultimately overcomes her uncertainties with motivating self-talk, such as “Take a chance you stupid ho!” What You Waiting For? effectively addresses the pressure from her record company to create a “hot track”.
Source: theguardian.com
