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.
I Throw My Toys Around
No Doubt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm not a little girl
So you can leave me all alone
And turn of the lights as well
If you were frightened then listen
But I don't think you'd like it
Such a nice kid
Nobody's lookin' now
I throw my toys around
Somebody's being very bad
I wonder who it could be
Somebody's gon' to get in trouble
I know it isn't me
I'm just a little angel
But cha don't know what I've done
When your backs turned
[Chorus]
Pick up those building blocks
Chop off the baby's locks
Swing dolly by her hair
Put down that teddy bear
Slam dunk a happy clown
I throw my toys around
I've got no time for bedtime stories
I'm not a little child
Everything makes me furious
And everything makes me wild
If you are frightened
Then whistle and I'll come running to you
As you boo hoo
[Chorus: x2]
I throw my toys around
I throw my toys around
I throw my toys around
I throw my toys around
I throw my toys around
I throw my toys around
I throw my toys around
I throw my toys around
I throw my toys around
I throw my toys around
The song "I Throw My Toys Around" by No Doubt is a playful and rebellious response to societal expectations that women behave in a certain way. Gwen Stefani defies the stereotype of a little girl who plays nicely and obediently with her toys. The lyrics suggest that she has grown up and has no patience for fairy tales or childish games. She rejects the idea of being left alone, but at the same time asserts her independence by challenging whoever may be watching her. It's as if she relishes the opportunity to misbehave when nobody is looking.
The chorus emphasizes the sense of liberation that Gwen feels when she throws her toys around. It's an act of defiance that reflects her desire to break free from the constraints of gender expectations. The verse "Somebody's being very bad, I wonder who it could be" is playful and tongue-in-cheek, as it suggests that Gwen is the one causing trouble even though she's claiming innocence. The lyrics are delivered in Gwen's distinctive voice, which is both powerful and emotional, conveying the sense of childlike abandon and authority that the song evokes.
Overall, "I Throw My Toys Around" is a song that celebrates the power of playful rebellion and the freedom of self-expression. It's a reminder that we don't have to conform to society's expectations or play by the rules, but can assert ourselves and have fun in the process.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got no time for fairy stories
I do not have time for make-believe stories or fantasies.
I'm not a little girl
I am not a child or immature person.
So you can leave me all alone
You can abandon me or leave me without any company.
And turn off the lights as well
Please turn off the lights before you leave.
If you were frightened then listen
If you were scared or frightened, pay attention to what I am about to say.
But I don't think you'd like it
However, I do not believe you will enjoy what I have to say.
Such a nice kid
You appear to be a pleasant or friendly person.
Nobody's lookin' now
No one is watching or paying attention at this moment.
I throw my toys around
I act in a reckless and destructive manner to release my anger and frustration.
Somebody's being very bad
Someone is acting in a misbehaving manner.
I wonder who it could be
I am curious about who the bad person is.
Somebody's gon' to get in trouble
Someone will face consequences for their bad behavior.
I know it isn't me
I am not the person who is behaving badly.
I'm just a little angel
I appear innocent and good-natured.
But cha don't know what I've done
However, you do not know the mischievous or naughty things I have done.
When your back's turned
When you are not looking or paying attention.
Pick up those building blocks
Collect those toy building blocks and play with them.
Chop off the baby's locks
Cut off the hair of the toy baby doll.
Swing dolly by her hair
Lift and move the toy doll by its hair in a playful or careless manner.
Put down that teddy bear
Stop holding or playing with the stuffed toy bear.
Slam dunk a happy clown
Violently and aggressively throw the toy clown.
I've got no time for bedtime stories
I have no interest or patience for bedtime stories or lullabies.
Everything makes me furious
I become easily angered or irritated by everything.
And everything makes me wild
Everything causes me to become excited or agitated.
If you are frightened
If you are scared or frightened.
Then whistle and I'll come running to you
Let out a high-pitched sound through your mouth, and I will quickly come to you.
As you boo hoo
As you cry and sob.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CAIT O'RIORDAN, ELVIS COSTELLO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind