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.
Rainbow Connection
Gwen Stefani Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And what's on the other side
Rainbows are visions
But only illusions
And rainbows have nothing to hide
So we've been told
And some choose to believe it
Some day we'll find it
The rainbow connection
The lovers, the dreamers, and me
And who said that every wish
Would be heard and answered
When wished on the morning star
And omebody thought of that
And someone believed it
And look what it's done so far
What's so amazing
That keeps us stargazing
And what do we think we might see
And someday we'll find it
The rainbow connection
The lovers, the dreamers, and me
All of us under its spell
We know that it's probably magic
Have you been half asleep?
And have you heard voices?
And I've heard them calling my name
This is the sweet sound
That called the young sailors?
The voice might be one in the same
And I've heard it too many times to ignore it
It's something that I'm supposed to be
Someday we'll find it
The rainbow connection
The lovers, the dreamers and me
La da da di da da dum da
Someday we'll find it
The rainbow connection
The lovers, the dreamers and me
La da da di da da dum da
Duh da da di dum di da ohhh
"Rainbow Connection" by Gwen Stefani is a cover of the classic song originally performed by Kermit the Frog in the Muppet Movie. The lyrics explore the fascination and wonderment surrounding rainbows and their significance to human beings. The first stanza questions why there are so many songs about rainbows and what lies on the other side. It suggests that rainbows are not just physical phenomena but also symbols of hope and dreams. They may seem like alluring visions, but they are merely illusions. However, the lyrics argue that rainbows have nothing to hide, implying that they hold a deeper meaning.
The second stanza challenges the belief that wishes will be heard and answered. It questions where such ideas originated and acknowledges their influence on people's lives. Despite these doubts or skepticism, the song encourages listeners to keep searching for something more profound. It beckons the believers, dreamers, and romantics to connect with the essence and magic of the rainbow.
The lyrics also hint at a personal experience. The mention of hearing voices and sailors being called suggests the singer has had similar encounters. There is a recognition that these experiences cannot be ignored, that they hold some sort of significant purpose. These encounters are described as a sweet sound, similar to the call of young sailors. It reinforces the idea that the rainbow connection is a fundamental part of the singer's identity and destiny.
Overall, "Rainbow Connection" celebrates the power of imagination, the longing for connection, and the search for deeper meaning in life. It encourages listeners to believe in the possibility of finding that elusive rainbow connection, where lovers, dreamers, and the singer herself can unite.
Line by Line Meaning
Why are there so many songs about rainbows
Why do people create so many songs that symbolize hope and possibilities?
And what's on the other side
What lies beyond the challenges and obstacles we face?
Rainbows are visions
Rainbows represent dreams and aspirations
But only illusions
However, they may only appear to be achievable fantasies
And rainbows have nothing to hide
Rainbows don't hold secrets or hidden meanings
So we've been told
That's what people have been taught to believe
And some choose to believe it
Some individuals opt to accept this belief
And I know they're wrong, wait and see
But I am convinced they are mistaken; just give it time
Some day we'll find it
Eventually, we will discover
The rainbow connection
The symbolic link between our dreams and reality
The lovers, the dreamers, and me
Including those who seek love and those who dare to dream alongside me
And who said that every wish
Who proclaimed that each desire
Would be heard and answered
Will be acknowledged and fulfilled
When wished on the morning star
By making a wish upon a star in the morning
And somebody thought of that
Someone conceived this idea
And someone believed it
And another person placed their faith in it
And look what it's done so far
And observe the impact it has had up until now
What's so amazing
What makes it truly remarkable
That keeps us stargazing
That compels us to gaze at the stars
And what do we think we might see
And what possibilities do we imagine we could witness
All of us under its spell
Every one of us captivated by its enchantment
We know that it's probably magic
Acknowledging that there is a touch of enchantment involved
Have you been half asleep?
Have you ever felt disconnected or unaware?
And have you heard voices?
And have you listened to the subtle messages around you?
And I've heard them calling my name
Because I have heard them, beckoning me
This is the sweet sound
This is the delightful melody
That called the young sailors?
That enticed the adventurous young sailors?
The voice might be one in the same
That voice could potentially be connected to the same message
And I've heard it too many times to ignore it
And I have encountered it so frequently that I can't disregard it any longer
It's something that I'm supposed to be
It is a calling that I am meant to pursue
La da da di da da dum da
Melodic sounds expressing joy and anticipation
Someday we'll find it
In the future, we will discover
The rainbow connection
The profound bond between our dreams and reality
The lovers, the dreamers, and me
Including those who seek love and those who dare to dream alongside me
Duh da da di dum di da ohhh
Expressive sounds conveying wonder and awe
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Kenny Ascher, Paul Hamilton Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Wrdofmymnd
Why are there so many songs about rainbows
And what's on the other side?
Rainbows are visions, but only illusions
And rainbows have nothing to hide
So we've been told, and some choose to believe it
I know they're wrong, wait and see
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection
The lovers, the dreamers, and me
Who said that every wish would be heard and answered
When wished on the morning star?
Somebody thought of that, and someone believed it
Look what it's done so far
What's so amazing that keeps us stargazing
And what do we think we might see?
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection
The lovers, the dreamers, and me
All of us under its spell
We know that it's probably magic
Have you been half asleep, and have you heard voices?
I've heard them calling my name
Is this the sweet sound that calls the young sailors?
The voice might be one and the same
I've heard it too many times to ignore it
It's something that I'm supposed to be
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection
The lovers, the dreamers, and me
La-da-da-de-da-da-do
La-da-da-da-da-de-da-do
Kelly Diamond
I had this played at my son’s funeral on14th of September 2021….I love you so much my boy…forever and always R.D.D RIP my precious son
Dgo Drummer
he's says to you, "be happy Mom, and live in awe. There You will find Me ... waiting patiently for the eternal hug."
Kelly Diamond
Thank you, you have no idea how much your message means to me
Corgi Friend
I love Gwen's version of the Muppet's classic!
Charley Cramer
💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗
Yamilka Lopez
♥️♥️♥️amazing
Winonalovers
LOVE her voice on the song!!!
Rachel Rodgers
Gwen Stefani covered this timeless classic so well. I have goose bumps all over 🧡💛💚💙💜💓💗💖💕💞. I have the original soundtrack album of The Muppet Movie where Kermit sings this. Gwen Stefani you did a marvelously wonderful performance. I'd love to hear you sing more classic songs and ballads. Your voice is so versatile.
CopingFlower
This is one of the best covers I've heard for this song it defiently slaps
Susan Tomlinson
I love this, any day I get up rattled and dysfunctional this song saves me and especially GWEN