No Doubt's live act began to attract regional interest, and Interscope Records signed them in 1991. The band's debut a year later, an odd fusion of '80s and ska, sank without a trace in the wake of the grunge movement. As a result, Interscope refused to support No Doubt's tour or further recordings. The band responded by recording on their own during 1993-94; the result was the self-released The Beacon Street Collection, much rawer and more punk-inspired than the debut. Eric Stefani left just after its release, later working as an animator for The Simpsons. By late 1994, Interscope allowed recordings to resume, and Tragic Kingdom was released in October 1995. The album's third single, Don't Speak, which although originally written by Eric was later altered by Gwen to document her breakup with bassist Tony Kanal. Tragic Kingdom went platinum and has sold over 15 million copies to date. As Tragic Kingdom obtained success, the band toured furiously until late '97.
After a long break, the band had prepared a more mellow, and powerfully dramatic album entitled Return of Saturn. It emphasized Gwen's encounters with men, her biological clock, and miscellaneous topics. Although the album had a completely different approach to it, the band was making rock music with less of a punk/ska flare. The album debuted at #2 on the Billboard charts in early April of 2000, and then declined to a flop. The public never did justice to the album, and it serves as a favorite for many die-hard fans.
While touring in Jamaica for Return of Saturn, the band wanted to try adding Reggae to their music, and making more of a dance rock record. 20 months after Return of Saturn debuted, the band was quick to jump on the creation of Rock Steady, released in December of '01. The singles Underneath It All and Hey Baby became international dance club symbols as top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. This album proved that No Doubt had not lost their potential with the public, and that they could appeal to various groups of people.
In 2004, No Doubt announced they would be going on hiatus after the release of the singles compilation The Singles 1992–2003, which contained one new song, a cover of experimental rock band Talk Talk's "It's My Life". Tony Kanal did several projects with Gwen and other artists. Adrian Young married and had a child; Tom Dumont formed a new band, Invincible Overlord, often plays with Matt Costa's band. Gwen embarked on a sucessful solo career which consisted of two albums - "Love. Angel. Music. Baby." and "The Sweet Escape". The first of these albums contains the single "Hollaback Girl", a song which was inescapable for most of 2005 and hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and won her a Billboard Award for first track to reach 1 Million legal downloads ever. The self titled track off "The Sweet Escape" went on to become her most notorious calling card.
With the hiatus officially over in late 2008 No Doubt announced tour plans for 2009, kicking it off in Atlantic City. The tour concluded with four dates in Irvine, CA. In May, 2009, the band was featured as a fictional 80's band, "Snowed Out", on CW Network's "Gossip Girl" The band performed their cover of Adam and the Ants 'Stand and Deliver.'
The group entered the studio in May 2010 to start recording on their sixth studio album: Push and Shove which will be release on September 25, 2012 and its first single will be "Settle Down". Their first music video for the new album will also be for "Settle Down" and it will be directed by Sophie Muller (who previously has done numerous music videos for No Doubt). The whole album has been recorded with producer Mark "Spike" Stent (who worked on their previous album Rock Steady) but they have also collaborated with Major Lazer (now Diplo's solo project). No Doubt previously revealed they are taking influence from ska, 80s new wave and Jamaican reggae music for the new record.
Hateful
No Doubt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well I got a friend who's a man
Who's a man? What man?
The man who keeps me from the lovely lovely
He gives me what I need
What you need? What you got?
I need it all so badly
Oh anything I want he gives it to me
Anything I want he gives it but not for free
It's hateful it's hateful
And it's paid for and I'm so grateful to be nowhere
This year I've lost some friends
Some friends? What friends?
I dunno, I ain't even noticed
You see, I gotta go out again
Again? My friend
I gotta go see that mainman
[Chorus x2]
Oh, anything I want he gives it to me
Anything I want he gives it, but not for free
It's hateful, It's hateful
And it's paid for and I'm so grateful to be nowhere
I killed all my nerves
My nerves? What swerves?
And I can't drive so steady
Oh, I've lost my memory
My mind? Behind!
I can't see so clearly
Oh, anything I want he gives it to me
Anything I want he gives it, but not for free
(its not for free) he gives it to me
Anything I want he gives it, but not for free
He gives it to me
He gives it to me
Not for free
Not for free
Not for free
Not for free
Its not for you...its for me
The lyrics of "Hateful" by No Doubt convey a complicated and toxic relationship dynamic. The song revolves around the singer's reliance on a manipulative man for emotional and material support. The opening lines, "Kill that drama, well I got a friend who's a man," suggest that the singer wants to end the drama in her life, and her only source of support is this man.
Throughout the song, the singer questions and is questioned about her relationship with this man. The repetition of the question "Who's a man? What man?" highlights her uncertainty and the lack of stability in the relationship. The man in question seems to satisfy her needs, but not without a cost. The lyrics, "Anything I want he gives it to me, but not for free," suggests that she receives what she desires from him, but there are underlying conditions and a sense of obligation.
The chorus emphasizes the ambivalence the singer feels towards this dynamic. She describes it as "hateful," acknowledging the toxicity and manipulation, while also expressing gratitude for what she receives. It's a conflicting sentiment, as she is both aware of the negative aspects and appreciative of the benefits.
In the latter part of the song, the singer mentions losing friends and her memory, which could imply the toll this relationship has taken on her personal life. Despite the sacrifices, she still prioritizes the connection with this man, which is made clear by the repeated refrain, "It's not for you... it's for me."
Overall, "Hateful" explores the complex emotions involved in a relationship where one person relies on another for fulfillment but realizes the damaging nature of that reliance.
Line by Line Meaning
Kill that drama
Put an end to the unnecessary conflicts and disagreements
Well I got a friend who's a man
I have a powerful and influential ally
Who's a man? What man?
Who is this man? What is his significance?
The man who keeps me from the lovely lovely
He protects me from the temptations and distractions of a luxurious lifestyle
He gives me what I need
He provides me with the essential things I require
What you need? What you got?
What are your specific needs? What possessions do you currently have?
I need it all so badly
I desperately desire everything
Oh anything I want he gives it to me
Whatever I desire, he grants it to me
Anything I want he gives it but not for free
Although he provides everything I want, it comes at a cost
It's hateful it's hateful
This situation is unpleasant and distressing
And it's paid for and I'm so grateful to be nowhere
I am appreciative of the fact that I am not trapped in this undesirable situation
This year I've lost some friends
During this year, I have experienced the loss of some companions
Some friends? What friends?
Who are these friends? I failed to even notice their absence
I dunno, I ain't even noticed
I am unaware because I did not pay attention to their departure
You see, I gotta go out again
You understand, I must venture outside once more
Again? My friend
Once more? Are you serious, my friend?
I gotta go see that mainman
I need to visit the influential person I mentioned earlier
Oh, anything I want he gives it to me
Once again, whatever I desire, he grants it to me
Anything I want he gives it, but not for free
However, these gifts come with a price attached
It's hateful, It's hateful
This situation is detestable and distressing
And it's paid for and I'm so grateful to be nowhere
Although the cost is significant, I am thankful to not be stuck in a worse situation
I killed all my nerves
I numbed my emotions and sensations
My nerves? What swerves?
What happened to my ability to respond and react?
And I can't drive so steady
I am unable to maintain a stable and controlled path
Oh, I've lost my memory
I have suffered from the loss of my recollections
My mind? Behind!
My thoughts and rationality are lagging behind, not functioning properly
I can't see so clearly
My vision and understanding have become blurry and unclear
Not for free
There is always a cost associated with obtaining what I desire
Its not for you...its for me
These gifts are not intended for others; they are meant solely for my benefit
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
yamammiwammi
i dont get why people think covers have to be "better" than the originals. they arent supposed to and usually never are. its just that band's "style" of playing it, they arent trying to 1-up it. I love this cover.
Gabriel Valdetaro I Vim Pra China
i love The Clash and No Doubt.. and this cover is awesome!
Daniel Mchenry
No Doubt are very good at covers.
mataformigues2
If this song was No Doubt's original, I'm sure there wouldn't be so many assholes criticising and saying how much it sucks, nor even having a reason to say it. Covers are covers; if you don't like them, don't listen to them nor, specially, bother fans with your needless slights which no one care about.
Ohterwise, amazing cover! Even though I really couldn't imagine what in the world the lyrics meant until I heard the original performers playing it; then for some unknown reason the truth lit me as a revelation. AHAHA
max Vicious
no doubt and billy idol = awesome
Susan Connolly
When Strummer wrote this, he based it loosely on the enable/dependent relationship between Sid Vicious and Malcom Mclaren / heroin dealers
Rachel Robinson
That’s interesting! I have to pass that on to my friend who loves The Pistols
TheTwotonic
likes been said already, i think they were just havin' fun with a favorite of theirs. obviously they'd be different - this was their take on one of my clash faves. one thumb raised for the effort, as it doesn't do it for me like the original.
Kyle Adamson
I'm gonna have to disagree here. I did hear this version before i heard the original and it did make me want to hear the original
Héber Bensi
This cover is ok.....this is in a great album tribute to The Clash...there are good bands like Silverchair and Might Might Bosstones singing in this abum too