"Simple Kind of Life" was released as the album's third single in June 2000. It became the most successful American single from Return of Saturn, but had little international success. The accompanying music video illustrates the song's themes of marriage and family.
Simple Kind of Life
No Doubt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Not only in love, I was obsessed
With a friendship that no one else could touch
It didn't work out, I'm covered in shells
And all I wanted was the simple things
A simple kind of life
And all I needed was a simple man
I'm so ashamed, I've been so mean
I don't know how it got to this point
Ooh, I always was the one with all the love
You came along, I'm hunting you down, oh
Like a sick domestic abuser looking for a fight
Oh, and all I wanted was the simple things
A simple kind of life
Oh
If we met tomorrow for the very first time
Would it start all over again?
Would I try to make you mine?
I always thought I'd be a mom
Sometimes I wish for a mistake
The longer that I wait the more selfish that I get
You seem like you'd be a good dad
Now all those simple things are simply too complicated for my life
How'd I get so faithful to my freedom?
A selfish kind of life
When all I ever wanted was the simple things
A simple kind of life
A simple kind of life
A simple kind of life
A simple kind of life
A simple kind of life
A simple kind of life
A simple kind of life
A simple kind of life
A simple kind of life
A simple kind of life
A simple kind of life
A simple kind of life
A simple kind of life
A simple kind of life
The lyrics of No Doubt's Simple Kind of Life reveal the singer's disappointment in the complexity of her life after years of chasing love, success, and independence. The song's opening lines set the scene for the rest of the song, as the singer laments that her obsessive love for a friend has resulted in a failed relationship and is now conspicuous, with her vulnerability and insecurities covered in shells. What she craves now is a simple and uncomplicated life, complete with a simple man who she can marry, as she sings in the chorus, "And all I wanted was the simple things, a simple kind of life."
As the song develops, the singer becomes more introspective and remorseful, revealing regret over hurting a past love interest and acknowledging that she has become "selfish" in her desire for independence. Ultimately, the song leaves the listener with a sense of sadness, as the singer nostalgically pines for a simpler life but recognizes that it may be too late to achieve that dream.
No Doubt's song Simple Kind of Life is a poignant reflection on the struggle to balance personal independence and the desire for companionship and simplicity. The lyrics offer a glimpse into the complicated inner workings of the singer's mind, revealing the pain and regret that come with pursuing individuality at the expense of connection.
Line by Line Meaning
For a long time I was in love
I held a deep, intense feeling of love for someone over an extended period of time
Not only in love, I was obsessed
My love for this person consumed me to the point of making me fixate on them
With a friendship that no one else could touch
My feelings extended beyond a romantic relationship, but also to a close friendship no one could replicate
It didn't work out, I'm covered in shells
Unfortunately, the relationship/friendship didn't succeed, and I am left feeling guarded and wounded
And all I wanted was the simple things
I found that what I truly desired in life was basic and uncomplicated things
A simple kind of life
I yearned for a life that was not cluttered with complexities or hardships
And all I needed was a simple man
In addition to simple things, I also craved the affection and companionship of a basic, modest man
So I could be a wife
My ultimate goal was to settle down and become a wife
I'm so ashamed, I've been so mean
I feel guilt and remorse for my past actions and behavior
I don't know how it got to this point
I am unsure how things progressed to the current situation
Ooh, I always was the one with all the love
In previous relationships, I tended to give all of my love and affection. It was a defining trait of mine.
You came along, I'm hunting you down, oh
Upon meeting you, I became interested and fixated, almost with a predatory quality
Oh, and all I wanted was the simple things
Despite my complicated feelings towards you, I still yearned for simplicity in my life
If we met tomorrow for the very first time
If we had no previous history and were just now meeting
Would it start all over again?
Would I feel these same intense emotions for you if we started anew?
Would I try to make you mine?
Would my attraction to you provoke me to pursue a romantic relationship?
I always thought I'd be a mom
I had always envisioned becoming a mother at some point in my life
Sometimes I wish for a mistake
I occasionally feel the desire to make an impulsive decision that would alter my life
The longer that I wait the more selfish that I get
As I continue to delay starting a family, I become more concerned with my own self-interests
You seem like you'd be a good dad
I observe qualities in you that would make you a suitable parent
Now all those simple things are simply too complicated for my life
I realize that my life has become too complicated to incorporate those basic things I once coveted
How'd I get so faithful to my freedom?
I question how I became so devoted to the freedom and independence that I currently possess
A selfish kind of life
My current state of living involves making choices based solely on my own needs and wants
When all I ever wanted was the simple things
Despite my current path, all I ever aspired for was a life of simplicity
A simple kind of life
I still yearn for and desire that life of simplicity, even if it seems unattainable
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Gwen Stefani
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@loading...948
The simple lyrics like "you seem like you'd be a good dad" and "sometimes I wish for a mistake" are so powerful and raw. It sounds so genuine
@latoyahenderson5224
Fuk that...."the longer thatI ,.....wait the more selfish that it gets .........I jus picked this dude......."you SEEM like you'd be a good dad" just seem lol
@loading...948
@@latoyahenderson5224 usually convos are in ez to understand english
@tylerp3327
Raw… literally
@miladh8749
Satanic BS
@breemadrone3913
I took “sometimes I wish for a mistake” meaning not a “planned” pregnancy. Especially so because of the followed lyrics.
@SomeScrubEngineer
“Now all the simple things, are simply too complicated for my life”
What a line.
@BG-vz4wk
Wow 🥺
@clownchaostime3024
The longer I wait, the more selfish that I get....
@Openreality
Case in point to what the song was suggesting imo.