"Underneath It All" was released as the album's third single in mid-2002. It became No Doubt's highest charting American single, but was less successful elsewhere. The song won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal at the 46th Grammy Awards.
Underneath It All
No Doubt feat. Lady Saw Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Someone more like me
There's times when this dress rehearsal
Seems incomplete
But, you see the colors in me like no one else
And behind your dark glasses you're
You're something else
Underneath it all
You want to love me
Underneath it all
I'm really lucky
Underneath it all
You're really lovely
You know some real bad tricks
And you need some discipline
But, lately you've been trying real hard
And giving me your best
And, you give me the most gorgeous sleep
That I've ever had
And when it's really bad
I guess it's not that bad
You're really lovely
Underneath it all
You want to love me
Underneath it all
I'm really lucky
Underneath it all
You're really lovely
So many moons that we have seen
Stumbling back next to me
I've seen right through and underneath
And you make me better
I've seen right through and underneath
And you make me better
Better better
You are my real Prince Charmin'
Like the heat from the fire
You were always burnin'
And each time you're around
My body keeps callin
For your touch
Your kisses and your sweet romancin'
There's an underside to you
that this here woman that adore
Aside from your temper
Everything is secure
You're good for me, baby
of that, I'm sure
Over and over again
I want more
You've used up all your coupons
And all you've got left is me
And somehow I'm full of forgiveness
I guess it's meant to be
You're really lovely
Underneath it all
You want to love me
Underneath it all
I'm really lucky
Underneath it all
You're really lovely
You're really lovely
Underneath it all
You want to love me
Underneath it all
I'm really lovely
Underneath it all
And you're really lovely
The song "Underneath It All" by No Doubt is a love song that describes the ups and downs in a relationship. The singer acknowledges that while there may be times when she wants something more or someone who is more like her, her partner sees the colors in her like no one else can. Even though her partner has some bad habits that require discipline, he has been trying hard to be better and make the relationship work. Despite their imperfections, the singer is grateful for her partner, who makes her feel loved and is good for her.
The lyrics use metaphors to describe the relationship, like comparing the partner to a real Prince Charming and the relationship to a dress rehearsal that seems incomplete. The singer also describes the physical and emotional connection she shares with her partner, using phrases like "the most gorgeous sleep that I've ever had" and "your touch, your kisses, and your sweet romancin'". The chorus repeats the sentiment that the singer's partner is lovely and wants to love her, and she feels lucky to have him in her life.
Overall, the song highlights the importance of accepting someone for who they are, flaws and all, and appreciating them for the positive impact they have in our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
There's times where I want something more
Sometimes I desire more in life
Someone more like me
I crave to find someone who is similar to me
There's times when this dress rehearsal
There are times when things feel incomplete, like this is just a trial run
Seems incomplete
Feels unfinished
But, you see the colors in me like no one else
You understand and appreciate the different aspects of me more than anyone else does
And behind your dark glasses you're
You hide behind a mask of coolness
You're something else
You're unique and special
You're really lovely
You're truly beautiful on the inside and out
Underneath it all
At your core
You want to love me
You desire to love me
I'm really lucky
I'm fortunate to have you in my life
You know some real bad tricks
You have some negative traits
And you need some discipline
You require some guidance and structure
But, lately you've been trying real hard
However, you've been making a real effort to improve
And giving me your best
And showing me the best version of yourself
And, you give me the most gorgeous sleep
You provide me with peaceful rest and relaxation
That I've ever had
Better than any other sleep I've ever experienced
And when it's really bad
Even when things are rough
I guess it's not that bad
It's not as bad as it could be
So many moons that we have seen
We've been together for a long time
Stumbling back next to me
Even when things are tough, we stumble through them together
I've seen right through and underneath
I understand your true nature
And you make me better
You bring out the best in me
Better better
You make me better and better
You are my real Prince Charmin'
You are my true love
Like the heat from the fire
You provide warmth and comfort
You were always burnin'
You always have a passion for life
And each time you're around
Whenever you're near me
My body keeps callin
I crave physical intimacy with you
For your touch
I desire to be touched by you
Your kisses and your sweet romancin'
Your affection and romantic gestures are what make our relationship special
There's an underside to you
You have a hidden side to you
that this here woman that adore
That I, as a woman who loves you, accept
Aside from your temper
Other than your tendency to get angry sometimes
Everything is secure
Our relationship is stable and strong
You're good for me, baby
You are positive influence on my life
of that, I'm sure
I am certain of this
Over and over again
Repeatedly
I want more
I crave to have more of you, to do more with you, and to share more with you
You've used up all your coupons
You have exhausted all your options
And all you've got left is me
But you always have me
And somehow I'm full of forgiveness
For some reason, I can forgive you easily
I guess it's meant to be
Perhaps our love is truly destined
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: DAVE STEWART, GWEN STEFANI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ThingsIBuy
Did you just say 22?
I don't know about you
But I'm feeling 22
Everything will be alright if
You keep me next to you
You don't know about me
But I'll bet you want to
Everything will be alright if
We just keep dancing like we're 22, twenty tooooooo-ooooo
@sheannanicholson8378
There's times where I want something more
Someone more like me
There's times when this dress rehearsal
Seems incomplete
But, you see the colors in me like no one else
And behind your dark glasses you're
You're something else
You're really lovely
Underneath it all
You want to love me
Underneath it all
I'm really lucky
Underneath it all
You're really lovely
You know some real bad tricks
And you need some discipline
But, lately you've been trying real hard
And giving me your best
And, you give me the most gorgeous sleep
That I've ever had
And when it's really bad
I guess it's not that bad
You're really lovely
Underneath it all
You want to love me
Underneath it all
I'm really lucky
Underneath it all
You're really lovely
So many moons that we have seen
Stumbling back next to me
I've seen right through and underneath
And you make me better
I've seen right through and underneath
And you make me better
Better better
You are my real Prince Charmin'
Like the heat from the fire
You were always burnin'
And each time you're around
My body keeps callin
For your touch
Your kisses and your sweet romancin'
There's an underside to you
that this here woman that adore
Aside from your temper
Everything is secure
You're good for me, baby
of that, I'm sure
Over and over again
I want more
You've used up all your coupons
And all you've got left is me
And somehow I'm full of forgiveness
I guess it's meant to be
You're really lovely
Underneath it all
You want to love me
Underneath it all
I'm really lucky
Underneath it all
You're really lovely
You're really lovely
Underneath it all
You want to love me
Underneath it all
I'm really lovely
Underneath it all
And you're really lovely
@hoesluvherro
Gwen really embodies the 2000s style and fashion, she is truly so iconic for that and her music being so timeless
@loyalmacuser
Is she not the most beautiful woman without makeup!? She's simply breathtaking!! 😍😍
@felipesanchezv.6128
3:16 and forward, I just can't bare to watch... Gwen Stefani in all her glory... Beautiful as an angel... I love that part.
@2_faboo
Listening in 93 B.C this song is still a banger who's listening with me! 🩷👇
@ChocolateDon929
Lady Saw did her thing on this ✅🏆
@mannyrodriguez3933
It's crazy just how beautiful this woman really is. Even in person she gives me the impression that she's a sensitive and kind person. Love the video.
@denytexbabykids
A timeless masterpiece!
@blinktambo255
Gwen you sang this song with a legend of reggae lady saw 🔥🔥🔥
@vickimagee6514
Was 24 with husband and 4yo child when this song came out.. my daughter and I jammed out to this song and don't speak every trip we took from the house.. I'm 46 now and she's 26 and we STILL love listening to no doubt songs. And love Gwen Stefani as soloist as well. She freaking rocks!!!
@hoesluvherro
It’s sad they don’t make music like this no more...😞