Ranking Gwen Stefani’s Best Songs Ever
Photo by: Vijat Mohindra/NBC Reading Time: 4 minutes
No one would dare deny — Gwen Stefani is a household name. From her remarkable run as the vocalist of No Doubt to her phenomenal solo career, Stefani has proven that she’s one artist who knows no bounds.
Gwen Stefani’s Best Songs, Ranked
10. “Sunday Morning”
As the fifth single off of No Doubt’s Tragic Kingdom album, “Sunday Morning” is arguably one of the best Stefani-written songs. The track depicts a romantic relationship that eventually concluded in a breakup. While it failed to enter the Billboard Hot 100 back in the day for technicality reasons, “Sunday Morning” is still a never-to-be-forgotten reggae mainstream record.
9. “Simple Kind of Life”
Successfully unleashing her vulnerable side, “Simple Kind of Life” delineated some of Stefani’s deepest thoughts. In the song, the former No Doubt vocalist revealed the internal battle of wanting to have her own family yet treasuring her independence. With its moody and lo-fi tunes, it’s unquestionably one of the most honest and saddest songs Stefani has ever sung.
8. “Rich Girl†Feat. Eve
Drawing from the perspective of an “Orange County girl,” Stefani tackles the dreams of possessing fame and wealth with “Rich Girl.” A track from her debut solo studio album, Love. Angel. Music. Baby., this track features American rapper Eve for a remake of Louchie Lou & Michie One’s 1993 song of the same title. “Rich Girl†has obtained commercial victory, and received a nomination at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards.
7. “What You Waiting For?”
As the lead single of her debut solo studio album, “What You Waiting For?” serves as Stefani’s “explanation for doing the record.” Essentially, the song reveals the pop star’s lack of inspiration and fear of putting the album out. Primarily, What You Waiting For?†is an electro pop song which introduces Stefani’s backup dancers, the Harajuku Girls.
6. “Just A Girl”
If you happen to be alive during the ’90s, there’s a high possibility that you know No Doubt’s rock single “Just A Girl.” Utilizing a hyper feminine approach, Stefani battled female stereotypes and sexism with this song. Interestingly, “Just a Girl” was the first song Stefani penned without the assistance of her brother Eric.
5. “Luxurious”
“Luxurious” is an R&B ballad consisting the use of keyboards, synthesizers, and electric guitars. On the surface, it may be about money and diamonds. However, Stefani later discussed that the song has more to do with being “rich in love.” The song further features the singer’s then-husband Gavin Rossdale who opened the track in French.
4. “Early Winter”
A track detailing the beginning of an end of a relationship, “Early Winter” is a hunting composition. Stefani wrote the song alongside English pianist Tim Rice-Oxley, highly suspected to be alluding to her own relationship with Rossdale. The pop star has further amplified the emotional appeal of the song with its sleek soft rock and synth-pop tunes.
3. “Hollaback Girl”
How could you forget “Hollaback Girl†while talking about Stefani’s top songs? It’s the track that ridiculously taught everyone to spell “bananas.” This 2004 hit flawlessly harmonizes hip-hop and dance music. Upon release, it has received mixed reactions from critics. Nonetheless, it’s been nominated at the 48th Grammy Awards and has topped the Billboard Hot 100 for four straight weeks.
2. “Cool”
Dropped as the fourth single in Stefani’s debut solo studio album, “Cool†is inspires from synth-pop and new wave arrangements from the 1980s. Its lyrics detail the relationship of two lovers who have separated but have remained good friends. Its music video generally implied that while Stefani had already accepted the end of her relationship with Tony Kanal, she was nonetheless looking back with nostalgia.
1. “Don’t Speak”
For their third studio album, No Doubt managed to hit all the right spots with “Don’t Speak.” Stefani’s brother Eric originally wrote the song as a love song, but Stefani later changed the lyrics after she and Kanal broke up from their seven-year relationship. In turn, the band has dropped one of the most incredible breakup songs ever.
