This Song is B-A-N-A-N-A-S: The True Story of Gwen Stefani's 'Hollaback Girl'

For such a fun and chaotic band, No Doubt was always a safe space
for Gwen Stefani.


The flexibility in the band’s style and sound paired with
Stefani’s undeniable star power as front woman of the group meant
that you could be forgiven for thinking that Gwen Stefani the
artist, and No Doubt the band were interchangeable. 


In an alternate timeline - No Doubt could have carried on through
the 2000s and beyond with hit after hit - but artists rarely play
it safe; it’s part of the reason we love them so much.


After playing the Super Bowl in 2003, and releasing a solid No
Doubt Greatest Hits collection, the iron was hot for Gwen to move
forward with what MTV initially reported as an intended ‘fun
little dance record’ - a hiatus from the band that would let
Stefani Flex her creative muscles a little bit… but nothing too
serious. Initially she was even hesitant to call it a solo
project at all!


Love. Angel. Music. Baby. or L.A.M.B. was released on November
12, 2004 - after a painstaking year of writing and recording with
everyone from Linda Perry, to Andre 3000, to Canada’s Chantal
Kreviatzuk, and even her No Doubt Cohort Tony Kanal. 


From the get-go Stefani was intentional, but open. She wanted
control, but to be free - and it seemed like her artistic vision
wasn’t always the easiest to nail down.


Even after recording more than 20 songs for the project, Gwen
felt as if she was yet to nail down her 'attitude song'. A chance
reconnection with Pharell Williams and an uncalled for diss in
the media by a Grunge Music legend was about to change all of
that.


This is the True Story of Gwen Stefani's 'Hollaback Girl'.


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