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.
Used to Love You
Gwen Stefani Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I let it sink in, you're gone
I don't know, know what I'm feeling
I must be dreaming, you're gone
Suitcase, band-aids
Pulling back out the driveway
You go, I'll stay
I thought I was the best thing that ever happened to you
I thought you loved me the most
I don't know why I cry
But I think it's 'cause I remembered for the first time
Since I hated you
That I used to love you
I don't know why I cry
But I think it's 'cause I remembered for the first time
Since I hated you
That I used to love you
Oh, oh, oh, oh
I used to love you
Oh, oh, oh, oh
I used to love you
Are you gone?
There were no boundaries
What, you just pushed me too far
I guess nobody taught you
Nobody taught you how to love
Suitcase, band-aids
Pulling back out the driveway
You go, I'll stay
You can keep all the memories
I thought I was the best thing that ever happened to you
I thought you loved me the most
I don't know why I cry
But I think it's 'cause I remembered for the first time
Since I hated you
That I used to love you
I don't know why I cry
But I think it's 'cause I remembered for the first time
Since I hated you
That I used to love you
Oh, oh, oh, oh
I used to love you
Oh, oh, oh, oh
I used to love you
You know I was the best thing that ever happened to you
Oh, now look at what you lost, oh
You know I was the best thing that ever happened to you
Now look at what you lost, oh
I don't know why I cry
But I think it's 'cause I remembered for the first time
Since I hated you
That I used to love you
I don't know why I cry
But I think it's 'cause I remembered for the first time
Since I hated you
That I used to love you
Oh, oh, oh, oh
I used to love you
Oh, oh, oh, oh
I used to love you
I don't know why I cry
I don't, I don't, I don't
I don't know why I used to love you
I don't, I don't, I don't
I don't know why I cry
I don't, I don't, I don't
I don't know why I used to love you
I don't, I don't, I don't
The lyrics of Gwen Stefani's "Used to Love You" portray the sadness and confusion someone may feel after a breakup. It's clear that she's struggling to understand her emotions, as she begins with "Never thought this would happen" and admits "I don't know, know what I'm feeling." She reminisces about the good old days, when the relationship was strong and she believed it was the best thing that ever happened to her. However, now she's faced with the harsh reality that he's gone and it's time to move on.
The chorus is the most impactful part of the song, as it repeats the phrase "I don't know why I cry, but I think it's 'cause I remembered for the first time since I hated you, that I used to love you." This line speaks to the complexity of heartbreak, where you can still have feelings for someone even after the relationship has ended badly. Gwen admits that "nobody taught you how to love," suggesting that the reason for the breakup was his inability to love her in the way she deserved.
In the end, she acknowledges that he's lost the best thing that ever happened to him, and the song finishes with her internal monologue admitting "I don't know why I used to love you" and "I don't know why I cry." Overall, "Used to Love You" is a poignant and relatable anthem for anyone who's ever experienced a heartbreaking end to a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Never thought this would happen
I never expected us to break up
I let it sink in, you're gone
I'm slowly coming to terms with the fact that you're not in my life anymore
I don't know, know what I'm feeling
I'm confused about my emotions
I must be dreaming, you're gone
It feels surreal that you're no longer here
Suitcase, band-aids
You packed your things and left quickly
Pulling back out the driveway
You're leaving the home we used to share
You go, I'll stay
You're moving on, while I'm still here trying to move forward
You can keep all the memories
You can hold onto the good times we had together
I thought I was the best thing that ever happened to you
I believed that our love was strong and could overcome anything
I thought you loved me the most
I believed that our love was unmatched
I don't know why I cry
I'm uncertain about why I'm shedding tears
But I think it's 'cause I remembered for the first time
I'm starting to recall the happy moments we shared
Since I hated you
I've been holding onto negative feelings toward you
That I used to love you
But now I remember the love we had for each other
Are you gone?
I'm still in disbelief that you're no longer a part of my life
There were no boundaries
Our relationship was full of love and free from limitations
What, you just pushed me too far
You did something that caused me to feel hurt and betrayed
I guess nobody taught you
You never learned how to be in a healthy relationship
Nobody taught you how to love
You don't know how to show love in a positive way
You know I was the best thing that ever happened to you
I was a positive influence in your life
Oh, now look at what you lost, oh
Now that we're no longer together, you're missing out on the best thing that ever happened to you
I don't know why I cry
I'm still unsure why I get emotional
I don't know why I used to love you
I'm trying to come to terms with why I was so in love with you in the past
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JONATHAN ROTEM, TEAL DOUVILLE, GWEN STEFANI, JUSTIN TRANTER, JULIA MICHAELS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@briahnaelisabethdejesusbribunn
Lyrics:
Never thought this would happen
I let it sink in, you're gone
I don't know, know what I'm feeling
I must be dreaming, you're gone
Suitcase, band-aids
Pulling back out the driveway
You go, I'll stay
You can keep all the memories
I thought I was the best thing that ever happened to you
I thought you loved me the most
I don't know why I cry
But I think it's 'cause I remembered for the first time
Since I hated you
That I used to love you
I don't know why I cry
But I think it's 'cause I remembered for the first time
Since I hated you
That I used to love you
Oh, oh, oh, oh
I used to love you
Oh, oh, oh, oh
I used to love you
Are you gone?
There were no boundaries
What, you just pushed me too far
I guess nobody taught you
Nobody taught you how to love
Suitcase, band-aids
Pulling back out the driveway
You go, I'll stay
You can keep all the memories
I thought I was the best thing that ever happened to you
I thought you loved me the most
I don't know why I cry
But I think it's 'cause I remembered for the first time
Since I hated you
That I used to love you
I don't know why I cry
But I think it's 'cause I remembered for the first time
Since I hated you
That I used to love you
Oh, oh, oh, oh
I used to love you
Oh, oh, oh, oh
I used to love you
You know I was the best thing that ever happened to you
Oh, now look at what you lost, oh
You know I was the best thing that ever happened to you
Now look at what you lost, oh
I don't know why I cry
But I think it's 'cause I remembered for the first time
Since I hated you
That I used to love you
I don't know why I cry
But I think it's 'cause I remembered for the first time
Since I hated you
That I used to love you
Oh, oh, oh, oh
I used to love you
Oh, oh, oh, oh
I used to love you
I don't know why I cry
I don't, I don't, I don't
I don't know why I used to love you
I don't, I don't, I don't
I don't know why I cry
I don't, I don't, I don't
I don't know why I used to love you
I don't, I don't, I don't
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Jonathan Rotem / Teal Douville / Gwen Stefani / Justin Tranter / Julia Michaels
Used to Love You lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music Inc
@saintsandmortalssss
You can think it's really weird and pointless that she just sits there looking into and away from the camera through the whole music video. But I actually think it's really powerful. It feels as if she really dares to share her real self in this video. No dancing, no costumes, no show, no other people, glitter or glam. Just Gwen in the dark, being vulnerable and human while presenting us a song representing something really hard and painful from her private life. It's really intimate. I think it's brave to publish something like this in an industry where everything is supposed to be so fast and loud and MUCH. When I heard this song for the first time it really hit me hard, and I cried and cried, because I was reminded of a relationship and breakup that made me feel EXACTLY this way. And it made me realise why I had used what felt like way too much time and energy on this person - cause once I truly, truly loved him, with all my heart. He used to be my everything, and I used to LOVE him. Through all his shitty behaviour, until enough was enough. This is the power of music. Connection, insight and solace. Thanks, Gwen.
@caitlin.7
Wow this is such an underrated comment. So powerful. Thanks for sharing
@moskito5864
nailed it, even Gwen Stefani is only a human
@carlahollars612
The most powerful video ever made. You can see every word in her eyes.
@Madison.Chambers
The reason she just looks at the camera is because she is showing how she feels
@moskito5864
@It’s Madison yes and its not all acting, its partly her real life ;)
@lucaspalettagonzalez7262
If you notice closely, her facial expressions are exactly what the words are saying. She's singing to Gavin without actually saying the words. So powerful and incredible artistry.
@rocksteadyrein6516
G turned out to be a real POS. No Doubt helped make Bush popular in the USA.
@thehauntedmansionfan
I read an article where Gwen stated the video was not planned to be this. Camera on, playback started rolling and the lyrics hit her. And the camera stayed on. No redo or second take. Such raw emotions full of truths. Anyone whose heart has been crushed knows exactly what her eyes are saying.
@dennyjones6921
That’s amazing