Happy birthday Gwen Stefani! 10 of her very best
By Nick Bond
No Doubt front woman and solo pop goddess Gwen Stefani turns 46 today, so we thought we’d take a walk down memory lane and revisit a few of her best musical moments over the years…
10. Push + Shove
The title track to No Doubt’s 2012 ‘comeback’ album, this ska-rock banger came with extra help from guests Major Lazer – before everyone in the world was working with Major Lazer.
9. New
Taken from the soundtrack to late-90s gem Go!, this was the first taste of new music after No Doubt’s world-conquering Tragic Kingdom album, and hinted at a rockier new wave direction. One of their most underrated moments.
8. Baby Don’t Lie
Gwen returned to solo music last year with this Ryan Tedder-assisted jam, which sadly flopped everywhere it was released. OK, it’s no What You Waiting For, but it’s Gwen doing what Gwen does best: gold-plated pop.
7. Early Winter
KEANE-PENNED WEEPIE ALERT!
6. Let Me Blow Ya Mind
Gwen’s first foray into the world of hip-hop was providing the irresistible hook to this 2001 smash from Eve – produced by Dr Dre, no less. Eve would later return the favour with a guest spot on Gwen’s Rich Girl – but the original is still the best.
5. Wind It Up
We KNOW this is the very definition of a Marmite track, but all we can say is: If you don’t like Wind It Up, we feel bad for you son. Built around a marching band sample from The Sound Of Music’s Lonely Goatherd, this Pharrell-produced piece o’ noise is a big old ridiculous mess. And yet: It works.
4. Sunday Morning
Hands down, best single from Tragic Kingdom (soz, Don’t Speak).
3. Cool
Gwen’s always at her best when she’s lyrically heart-on-sleeve, and here she writes with touching sincerity about being ‘cool’ with a former lover and his new partner. Beautifully bittersweet – and comes with a gorgeous music video to boot (ah, to return to the music video budgets of the mid-00s).
2. What You Waiting For?
Has there been a better debut solo single from the front woman of a band? Nadine Coyle’s Insatiable doesn’t quite compare, does it…
1. Simple Kind of Life
SURPRISE NUMBER ONE ALERT! If you haven’t heard this 2000 No Doubt single, you really need to – it’s Gwen’s finest moment. Motherhood, marriage, the fear of being alone – it’s all here in this heartrending rocker. We hate to say it, but given her recent divorce from longtime hubby Gavin Rossdale and the fact that she’s busy in the studio working on new music, is it crass to hope for some similarly lovelorn gems from her soon?