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'.
Listen to NEW Episodes of Encore: The Stories Behind The Songs You Love every Thursday on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your Podcasts.
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