Have you ever thought that many musicians in their work often openly speculate on the circumstances of their personal lives, trying to sell us their troubles and joys? Of course, all this is framed in a different light and is usually called a source of inspiration. But still, it can be hard to get rid of the thought of a successful marketing move that raises the price of a product (which, of course, songs in show business are).
The story of creation and the meaning of the song Ex-Girlfriend by No Doubt
As you probably already understood, such a lengthy introduction is a stone in the garden of Gwen Stefani (forgive me her many fans – I myself am one of them). In the mid-nineties, she conquered the whole world with a poignant performance of her own song Don’t Speak. The piquancy of the track was added by the fact that the singer allegedly dedicated it to Tony Kanel, with whom she had previously met.
But after a while, Gwen admitted that the composition was ready long before and after parting ways with the band’s bassist, she only slightly changed the lyrics.
In the song Ex-Girlfriend, released a few years later, Stefani also described a personal relationship – now with Gavin Rossdale, the frontman of the band Bush, who became her husband a couple of years later. The lyrics even include the line “You say you’re gonna burn before you mellow”, a reference to the track Dead Meat, in which Rossdale sings these words in the first person.
How to treat it? Decide for yourself. Someone would think that Gwen, being a creative person, could not help but express feelings in the song. And someone will come to the conclusion that she acted prudently and only to draw the attention of the public to the new work. However, you can not bother with such thoughts at all and just enjoy a good song.
Release and achievements
The track was included in the Return of Saturn album and was released as the first single from the disc, which hit the charts in different countries.
It peaked at number twenty-three on the UK Singles Chart.
Video of Ex-Girlfriend by No Doubt
The music video for Ex-Girlfriend directed by Hype Williams is inspired by the anime Kite the Killer Girl.
Interesting Facts
- Initially, the song was closer in style to ballads, but there were already several such tracks on the album, so the band decided to speed it up and make it heavier.
- No Doubt played Ex-Girlfriend live on MTV’s New Year’s Eve show just as the clock marked the new year 2000.
Ex-Girlfriend Lyrics by No Doubt
I kinda always knew I’d end up your ex-girlfriend
I kinda always knew I’d end up your ex-girlfriend
I kinda always knew I’d end up your ex-girlfriend
I hope I hold a special place with the rest of them
And you know it makes me sick to be on that list
But I should have thought of that before we kissed
You say you’re gonna burn before you melt
I will be the one to burn you
Why’d you have to go and pick me?
When you that we were different, completely
I kinda always knew I’d end up your ex-girlfriend
I kinda always knew I’d end up your ex-girlfriend
I hope I hold a special place with the rest of them
I kinda always knew I’d end up your ex-girlfriend
I’m another ex-girlfriend on your list
But I should have thought of that before we kissed
Your wildness scares me
So does your freedom
You say you can’t stand the restrictions
I find myself trying to change you
If you were meant to be my lover I wouldn’t have to
And I feel so mean, I feel in between
‘Cause I’m about to give you away
I kinda always knew I’d end up your ex-girlfriend
(for someone else to take)
I kinda always knew I’d end up your ex-girlfriend
(am I making a mistake?)
I hope I hold a special place with the rest of them
(all the time that we spent)
I kinda always knew I’d end up your ex-girl, friend
I’m another ex-girlfriend on your list
But I should have thought of that before we kissed
I’m another ex-girlfriend on your list
But I should have thought of that before we kissed
I’m about to give you away for someone else to take
I’m about to give you away for someone else to take
We keep repeating mistakes for souvenirs
And we’ve been in between the days for years
And I know that when I see you I’m going to die
I know I’m going to want you and you know why
It’s going to kill me to see you with the next girl
‘Cause I’m the most gorgeously jealous kind of ex-girl
But I should have thought of that before we kissed
Lyrics of Ex-Girlfriend by No Doubt Alternate
I always knew that in the end I would be your ex
I always knew that in the end I would be your ex
I always knew that in the end I would be your ex
I hope I occupy a special place among them.
You know I hate to be on this list
But that should have been thought before we kissed
You say you’d rather burn than go soft
I’ll be the one to burn you
Why did you follow me
Knowing that we’re completely different
I always knew that in the end I would be your ex
I always knew that in the end I would be your ex
I hope I occupy a special place among them.
I always knew that in the end I would be your ex
I’m another one on your list
But that should have been thought before we kissed
Your violent temper scares me
Like your freedom
You say you can’t stand limits
I understand that I’m trying to change you
If fate had ordained you to be my beloved, I would not have to do this.
And I feel so bad, I’m at a crossroads
Because I’m about to leave you
I always knew that in the end I would be your ex
(let someone else pick you up)
I always knew that in the end I would be your ex
(Am I making a mistake?)
I hope I occupy a special place among them.
(how much time we spent together)
I always knew that in the end I would be your ex
I’m another one on your list
But that should have been thought before we kissed
I’m another one on your list
But that should have been thought before we kissed
I’m going to leave and let someone else take you
I’m going to leave and let someone else take you
We keep making mistakes as a memory
And we lived for years from day to day
And I know I almost die when I see you
I know that I will want you and you know why
I won’t be able to look at you differently
Because I’m one of those incredibly jealous exes.
But that should have been thought before we kissed
