In 2004, Gwen Stefani took a leap of faith by leaving the popular group “No Doubt” to launch a solo career. Her first solo album, “Love. Angel. Music. Baby,” was a huge success and is confirmation that the choice she made was a very wise one.
From the start of her solo career with “What Are You Waiting For?” to her most recent hit, “The Sweet Escape,” Stefani has continued to both write and vocalize her thoughts on love, luxury and society.
Beginning with “What Are You Waiting For,” the first release on the album “Love. Music. Angel. Baby” or better known as L.A.M.B, Gwen Stefani uses her edgy lyrics to encourage girls to take a step forward, and get out of the rut they’re in before it’s to late.
Though the song has edgy lyrics, it is a good message & has a catchy melody.
Also on the first album, was the song “Rich Girl” which was a duet with female rapper “Eve. Being that it was produced by Dr. Dre, & featured Eve, it was expected to be a big hit and was, as it made it’s way to the top 10 in the U.S., but was latero overshadowed buy one of Stefani’s most popular songs to date, “Hollaback Girl.”
Whether it was the base line, the lyrics, the hot beat or just spelling the word “B-a-n-a-n-a-s”, people of all ages rushed to download the song or get the CD in their hands. Whatever the reason, the world loved it & made it Stefani’s first #1 hit.
To mellow things out after “Hollaback Girl,” the more simplified smooth song “Cool” was released with a truly Madonna-type “cool” video. Though it didn’t match the success of “Hollaback Girl,” the video still kept it up on the charts & it became a favorite to many.
“Luxurious,” which talks about living in luxury & being in love was not one of the more popular ones on the charts, but is still an example of Gwen Stefani’s unique songwriting skills & style. In the line “were loaded & we’re not gonna blow it,” Stefani gives an analogy of comparing a relationship to treasure and money that shouldn’t be wasted.
Another example of edgy lyrics on L.A.M.B, is the track “Crash.” Again, full of analogies and crazy lyrics but one that people seemed to get into because of the hook.
On her 2nd Album, “The Sweet Escape” released in 2006, Stefani was back on the charts with the song “Wind It UP.” With a crazy old school dance beat, “Wind It Up” could be heard in clubs everywhere. Though it didn’t make it to #1, it is still popular in the clubs & on the Ipods of D.J’s everywhere.
After the release of “Wind It Up”, the song “4 in the Morning” was another “Cool” down to change up the tempo. The chorus has a good hook. It has a nice little repetitive groove and lyrics that appeal to the teenagers of today. Though “4 in the Morning” was a good song, along with “Now That Got It” which featured Damian Marly, but both were cannot compare to the title track “The Sweet Escape”. In “The Sweet Escape”, Stefani sings to the man she admires wishing she could be his “favorite girl.” This is currently my most favorite song from the 2nd album. I love the lyrical content, music and catchy beat.
Hopefully Gwen Stefani continues to write in the style and genre that she’s kept her first 2 albums in. If she continues to stick with the feel of the first two albums, I’m sure will be seeing a lot more chart toppers from the “No Doubt” diva.
For more information on Gwen Stefani, visit her official websites online at www.gwenstefani.com or www.Myspace.com/gwenstefani.
