Based on longevity, Gwen Stefani may be my biggest celebrity crush of all time. Ever since I first learned of No Doubt, I was attracted to this spunky not-your-ordinary-type girl. It helped that I learned of them around the time posters of half-naked girls where going on my wall. Ah, adolescence.I first saw No Doubt headline a summer festival in California called Wango Tango. I'm not sure what year it was, but it was pretty soon after "Rock Steady" had come out. I was amazed at the way Stefani captured the stage and when I say them years later in 2009 for their summer reunion tour (after Gwen had gone off and done her solo thing) I had the same reaction. That girl (woman) owns that stage.
Now I have just devoted two paragraphs gushing over my love for the lead singer of No Doubt. Here is where I need to state the obvious: the band itself is amazing. Pretty much why I had to put the greatest hits cd on here.
This cd had it all. "Don't Speak" "Sunday Morning" "New" "Hella Good" "Underneath It All"... at this rate I would name the whole track list. I just love this band though. From the super fast pumped-up songs to the slower melodies, they can do it all. It helps that Stefani's voice can rise and fall to compliment the band really well.
And I have to talk about this. I truly feel Paramore has to owe some of their success to the path that No Doubt paved for them. Am I sexist and saying it's because they both have female singers? No, there are plenty of female-fronted bands that don't get compared to No Doubt. But Paramore is the closest when at times I felt like Hayley Williams could have been Gwen's little sister. Plus, I think this comparison speaks for itself (just my opinion though):
But the real reason this cd made the countdown? Because the entire thing is available for download on Rock Band. And since I got it, I have enjoyed drumming many a times. And yes, I've even grabbed the mic here and there.
So while I could post every single song because, well, it's a greatest hits cd, I will try to keep it to a few.
And if you haven't seen this already, this is me from when we saw them in Atlanta:
Oh goodness... You know I agree with this one, I would put it so far up the list it's ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteNo Doubt caught my attention when I was around 10 years old... With the exception of Britney Spears I skipped right over my pop phase... but I grew up trying to be as badass as Gwen... I'd like to say it helped make me the way I am today. However, I never quite made it there.
But yes, the singles are great and Bathwater, and Sunday Morning are some of my favs, glad you featured them!
Seriously- I love Gwen. I love Gwen enough to go lesbian for a trist. I'm not even kidding. There are like an exclusive list of girls that I would swing for any day. When ND hit the waves I was in..8th grade. Yeah. It was 8th grade or so when Magic Kingdom blew up. I wanted to be Gwen. I heard she got skinny by rollerblading, so I bought roller blades. And almost died when I couldn't stop and went out into 4 lane, super heavy traffic HWY35. All for a can of Pepsi and a snickers bar. So yeah. Last time I ever put wheels on my feet. Anyways.
ReplyDeleteI'm Just a Girl-- classic. I don't think anyone with a vag can deny the relatability of that song. Seriously. Bathwater? Redonkulous. That video got me wearing my thong straps above my pants for a year. Again, could relate to the song.
Her voice in Sunday Morning?? Good lord. Love her. Love times a million.
As I got to be older, I modeled myself after her. I'm the fun chick guys hang out with. I can't sing but dammit if I don't try.
Side note- the guys in ND? Yes, please. ;)
ND definitely tops the list as my fav artist ever. I was introduced to them starting in like 5th grade, and I have loved them ever since. My best friend and I collected ND EVERYTHING. I had imported posters and everything on my walls, and I must have watched the Tragic Kingdom live concert VHS like every night. I wrote the band a fan letters and they sent me a signed photo...I was the happiest kid ever! hahaha.
ReplyDeleteI loved (and still do!) Gwen so much and I really identified with her and a lot of her insecurities that she would sing about. Ahhh, love them. I was also convinced that I was going to marry Adrian, the drummer. hahah
My walls definitely aren't plastered with the band's photos anymore, but I love them just the same.
Great choice, although they should be ranked waayyyyy higher. ;)
I would have picked Tragic Kingdom - I kinda moved on from No Doubt after that.
ReplyDeleteGood choice though.
i have great memories tied to "just a girl"... my freshman year a few dance girls got trashed and went to a free midnight karaoke-and-food event on campus. we busted in, grabbed the mic, sang Just a Girl, then hauled ass outta there before anyone could reprimand us for being belligerently drunk
ReplyDeleteI LOVE No Doubt. Sunday Morning is one of my favorite songs, I think. Anyway, I saw them live last spring and it was AMAZING! Excellent, excellent band.
ReplyDeleteI love No Doubt. I can't believe Gwen Stefani is 40. She does not look it at all!
ReplyDeleteI just gave you a blog award, cause I'm lame like that: http://websterslaw.blogspot.com/2010/05/things-you-dont-like-to-leave-house.html
ReplyDeleteOh my, this brings me back. I love Gwen.
ReplyDeleteTragic Kingdom
ReplyDeleteGwen is Hot. But somehow hotter in her solo career.
40....did she get plastic surgery/botox or whatever?
Halle Berry atleast has the Black don't crack excuse going.....
I remember Tragic Kingdom came out when I was in the 5th or 6th grade and just HAD to have the album - I remember singing into a hairbrush and dancing to pretty much the entire album in my room back then.
ReplyDeleteAnd I've always loved Gwen's clothes and style!
I'm jealous you got to see them last summer - I would have loved to have gone but couldn't afford the tickets. I heard they're supposed to be working on a new album though, which means (hopefully) another tour, so maybe I'll catch them the next time =)