In 2004, Stefani released her first solo album Love. Angel. Music. Baby. The album featured several collaborations with producers and other artists, including No Doubt bandmate Tony Kanal, Linda Perry, André 3000, Nellee Hooper, and The Neptunes. It was primarily inspired by pop and new wave music of the 1980s, and emerged an international success with sales of over seven million copies. The third single Hollaback Girl became the first U.S. digital download to sell one million copies.
The debut album also drew attention to the Harajuku Girls, Stefani's entourage of four Japanese backup dancers named for the fashionable suburb in Tokyo. Originally hired in 2004 for the album, the Girls continued to appear alongside Stefani, and are featured in these music videos: "What You Waiting For?", "Rich Girl", "Hollaback Girl", "Luxurious", "Crash", "Wind It Up", "The Sweet Escape", and "Now That You Got It".
Stefani's second solo album The Sweet Escape was released December 5, 2006. Collaborating again with her on the project were Perry, The Neptunes, along with Akon and Tim Rice-Oxley of Keane, and producers Pharrell and Kanal. Despite mixed reviews of the album as a whole, the title track The Sweet Escape became an international success and earned Stefani a Grammy nomination, and remains the most successful song of her solo career.
Although it had been speculated that the album would contain only material originally written for L.A.M.B. that did not make the final cut, only two songs left over from L.A.M.B. were included in the record: 80's-influenced U Started It; and Wonderful Life, which features Depeche Mode's Martin L. Gore on guitar.
Stefani is equally known as a fashion trendsetter. In 2003, she created a clothing fashion line named L.A.M.B. which shares the initials of her debut solo album. This collection was later expanded with the introduction of a newer line in 2005 called Harajuku Lovers, which draws its inspiration from Japanese culture and fashion.
On May 26, 2006, Stefani gave birth to her first child, a baby boy named Kingston James McGregor Rossdale. The father is British grunge musician Gavin Rossdale, former frontman of the now-defunct bands Bush and Institute, who she married in 2002.
In January 2008, Stefani's now ex-father-in-law confirmed that she would be expecting her second child in the summer. On August 21, 2008, second son Zuma Nesta Rock Rossdale was born.
Gwen Stefani said in 2011 that she was no longer planning to release another solo album.
On April 12, 2014, Stefani made a surprise appearance at the Coachella festival, where she joined Pharrell Williams onstage during his set to perform "Hollaback Girl". She and Williams were coaches for season 7 of The Voice. After nine years since her last appearance, she attended the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards, and during an interview on the red carpet she said, "I didn't know I was gonna have a baby, I didn't know I was gonna be on The Voice, I didn't know I was gonna be writing new music, so I'm just like, what's gonna be next?".
On September 8, 2014, Stefani told MTV News during New York Fashion Week that she is working on both a No Doubt album and a solo album. She also revealed that she is working with Williams. Stefani released her comeback single "Baby Don't Lie" on October 20, 2014, co-written with producers Ryan Tedder, Benny Blanco, and Noel Zancanella. Billboard magazine revealed that her third studio album is set to be released in December and Benny Blanco is set to executive produce it. In late October, a sneak peek of a new track from Stefani's third album, named "Spark the Fire", was premiered. The song was produced by Pharrell Williams.
On October 17, 2015, Stefani performed a one-night concert at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City, where she performed a new song, reportedly about her breakup with ex-husband Gavin Rossdale, titled "Used to Love You". It was released as a digital download on October 20, 2015. The video was released later that same day. The song was released to Mainstream radio in the U.S. on October 27, 2015. The track is the first official single off her third solo album, This Is What the Truth Feels Like, which she has been working on since June of that year. Neither "Baby Don't Lie" or "Spark the Fire" were included on the album. Stefani said much of the previous material felt forced and inauthentic, while the songs written since she returned to the studio are more natural and better describe where she is in her life. The album's second single, "Make Me Like You", was released on February 12, 2016.
In November 2015, she announced that she began dating fellow “The Voice” judge Blake Shelton. The couple got engaged in October 27, 2020. The couple got married in July 3, 2021.
Let Me Blow Your Mind
Gwen Stefani Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yo, yo
Drop your glasses, shake your asses
Face screwed up like you having hot flashes
Which one, pick one, this one, classic
Red from blonde, yeah, bitch, I'm drastic
Why this, why that, lips stop askin'
Expressway, hair back, weavin' through the traffic
This one strong, should be labeled as a hazard
Some of y'all niggas hot, psych, I'm gassin'
Clowns I spot 'em and I can't stop laughin'
Easy come, easy go, E-V gon' be lastin'
Jealousy, let it go, results could be tragic
Some of y'all ain't writin' well, too concerned with fashion
None of you ain't Giselle, cat walk and imagine
A lot of y'all Hollywood, drama, casted
Cut bitch, camera off, real shit, blast it
Knew I had to give you more
It's only been a year
Now I got my foot through the door
And I ain't goin' nowhere
It took awhile to get me here
And I'm gonna take my time
Don't fight that good shit in your ear
Now let me blow ya mind
They wanna bank up, crank up, makes me dizzy
Shank up, haters wanna come after me
You ain't a gangster, prankster, too much to eat
Snakes in my path wanna smile up at me
Now why you grittin' your teeth?
Frustration, baby, you got to breathe
Take a lot more than you to get rid of me
You see, I do what they can't do, I just do me
Ain't no stress when it comes to stage, get what you see
Meet me in the lab, pen and pad, don't believe
Huh, sixteen's mine, create my own lines
Love for my wordplay that's hard to find
Sophomore, I ain't scared, one of a kind
All I do is contemplate ways to make your fans mine
Eyes bloodshot, stressin', chills up your spine
Huh, sick to your stomach wishin' I wrote your rhymes
Knew I had to give you more
It's only been a year
Now I got my foot through the door
And I ain't goin' nowhere
It took awhile to get me here
And I'm gonna take my time
Don't fight that good shit in your ear
Now let me blow ya mind
Let your bones crack
Your back pop, I can't stop
Excitement, Glock shots from your stash spot
Fuck it, thugged out, I respect the cash route
Glocked down, blasters, sets while I mash out
Yeah nigga, mash out, D-R-E, huh
Back track, think back, E-V-E
Do you like that? (Ew) You got to, I know you
Had you in a trance first glance from the floor too
Don't believe I'll show you, take you with me
Turn you on, tension gone, give you relief
Put your trust in a bomb when you listen to me
Damn, she much thinner know, now I'm complete (uh huh)
Still stallion, brick house, pile it on
Ryde or Die, bitch, double R, came strong
Beware, 'cause I crush anything I land on
Me here, ain't no mistake, nigga, it was planned on
Knew I had to give you more
It's only been a year
Now I got my foot through the door
And I ain't goin' nowhere
It took awhile to get me here
And I'm gonna take my time
Don't fight that good shit in your ear
Now let me blow ya mind
In 'Let Me Blow Your Mind,' Gwen Stefani and Eve take turns rapping and singing about the joys of being confident and unstoppable. The song is about self-empowerment and embracing your unique personality flaws, and it's told from the perspective of two strong and powerful women taking on the world. Stefani's verses are about how to have fun and let loose, while Eve's are more rap-centric, discussing the difficulties she's faced in her career and how she's overcome them.
Throughout the song, Eve and Stefani demonstrate their strength and resilience to those who would try to bring them down. They both acknowledge the difficulties they have faced in their journeys to success, but they also emphasize the power of determination and hard work. Ultimately, they're both here to "blow your mind" and show you what they're made of.
The song was produced by Dr. Dre and Scott Storch and was released in 2001 as the second single from Stefani's debut solo album, 'Love. Angel. Music. Baby.' The song was immensely popular, peaking at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 and earning Stefani and Eve a Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.
Line by Line Meaning
Drop your glasses, shake your asses
Let loose and have fun
Face screwed up like you having hot flashes
Don't be so uptight, relax and enjoy yourself
Which one, pick one, this one, classic
I have so many options, it's hard to choose
Red from blonde, yeah, bitch, I'm drastic
I'm constantly changing my appearance and style
Why this, why that, lips stop askin'
Stop questioning everything and go with the flow
Listen to me, baby, relax, and start passin'
Listen to my advice, chill out, and enjoy life
Expressway, hair back, weavin' through the traffic
Driving fast, carefree, and living dangerously
This one strong, should be labeled as a hazard
I am strong-willed and should be approached with caution
Some of y'all niggas hot, psych, I'm gassin'
Some people think they are cool, but I'm not buying it
Clowns I spot 'em and I can't stop laughin'
I see fake people and I can't help but laugh at them
Easy come, easy go, E-V gon' be lastin'
Things may come and go, but my career will last
Jealousy, let it go, results could be tragic
Don't be jealous, because it could ruin your life
Some of y'all ain't writin' well, too concerned with fashion
Some people don't write good lyrics, and care more about their appearance
None of you ain't Giselle, catwalk, and imagine
None of you are supermodels, so stop daydreaming
A lot of y'all Hollywood, drama, casted
Many of you are fake, dramatic, and fake actors
Cut bitch, camera off, real shit, blast it
Cut the fake act, turn off the cameras, and talk about real issues
Knew I had to give you more, it's only been a year
I knew I had to keep evolving and growing as an artist, even though it's only been a year
Now I got my foot through the door, and I ain't going nowhere
I've made it in the music industry, and I'm not going anywhere
It took a while to get me here, and I'm gonna take my time
It took a lot of hard work and dedication to get where I am, so I'm going to take my time
Don't fight that good shit in your ear, now let me blow ya mind
Don't resist the amazing music and lyrics you're hearing, let me blow your mind
They wanna bank up, crank up, makes me dizzy
People want to make a lot of money and party excessively, which is overwhelming
Shank up, haters wanna come after me
Haters want to criticize me and bring me down
You ain't a gangster, prankster, too much to eat
You're not tough or funny, you're just overweight
Snakes in my path wanna smile up at me
Fake people try to deceive me with a smile
Now why you grittin' your teeth?
Why are you so upset?
Frustration, baby, you got to breathe
Calm down and relax, don't let frustration take over
Take a lot more than you to get rid of me
It takes a lot to defeat me and my success
You see, I do what they can't do, I just do me
I am unique and do things that others can't
Ain't no stress when it comes to stage, get what you see
I am relaxed and confident when performing on stage
Meet me in the lab, pen and pad, don't believe
Come write with me and see for yourself how talented I am
Huh, sixteen's mine, create my own lines
I write my own lyrics and shine doing it
Love for my wordplay that's hard to find
I have a talent for writing clever and unique lyrics
Sophomore, I ain't scared, one of a kind
I'm not afraid of making a second album and stand out from other artists
All I do is contemplate ways to make your fans mine
I always think about new ways to gain more fans
Eyes bloodshot, stressin', chills up your spine
I work hard and put all my energy into my music, which can cause physical exhaustion
Huh, sick to your stomach wishin' I wrote your rhymes
You feel inferior and wish you had my talent
Let your bones crack, your back pop, I can't stop
Dance and move your body, I can't stop you
Excitement, Glock shots from your stash spot
I bring excitement and make you feel powerful
Fuck it, thugged out, I respect the cash route
I don't care, I'm tough and respect people who make money
Glocked down, blasters, sets while I mash out
I'm armed and dangerous, and make moves confidently
Yeah nigga, mash out, D-R-E, huh
Yup, I'm aggressive and confident, with Dr. Dre by my side
Back track, think back, E-V-E
Think back to my beginnings, my name is Eve
Do you like that? (Ew) You got to, I know you
Do you like what you hear? You have to, because I know it's good
Had you in a trance first glance from the floor too
My music captivated you from the very first listen and made you want to dance
Don't believe, I'll show you, take you with me
You don't have to believe in me, I'll show you my talent while taking you on a journey
Turn you on, tension gone, give you relief
My music and lyrics will relax you and provide relief from everyday stress
Put your trust in a bomb when you listen to me
Trust in me, because I am explosive and talented
Damn, she much thinner know, now I'm complete (uh huh)
Wow, I lost weight, now I feel more confident and accomplished
Still stallion, brick house, pile it on
I'm still a strong, confident woman and I'll keep piling on the success
Ryde or Die, bitch, double R, came strong
I have support from those who ride or die for me, and I came into the music industry strong
Beware, 'cause I crush anything I land on
Watch out, because I will destroy anything that stands in my way
Me here, ain't no mistake, nigga, it was planned on
My success is not a mistake, it was something I planned and worked hard for
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Andre Young, Michael Elizondo, Scott Storch, Eve Jeffers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bbylucio
The new generation will never understand how iconic this song is.
@robnok
Eve ❤❤❤👍👍👍
@jberges
I’m 10 years old and I must say this song is legendary
@vinoslim5026
This is a classic! What happen to real music?
@stevenneal172
💯
@denisacovaci6756
true
@williamschaeffer409
this was legit the hottest song on the planet at one time.
@spongebobtrianglepants2081
it still is 😌
@warmac88
It still is
@shenquejames7598
Yes her writing ✍is on point