As frontwoman of No Doubt, she was already an icon, but solo, Gwen Stefani emerged as a quirky pop queen. She combined her ska and rock roots with hip-hop, electronica, and Japanese “Harajuku” culture.
Gwen is all about style, attitude, and originality. Her solo work is an eclectic mix of genres, always carried by her unique, vibrating voice and her talent for theatrical hooks.
10. Wind It Up
Only Gwen Stefani can get away with sampling The Sound of Music (“The Lonely Goatherd”) in a hip-hop track produced by Pharrell Williams. It is bizarre, busy, and fascinating. The song is a fashion statement set to music. You either hate it or think it’s genius, but it is unmistakably Gwen in all her eccentric glory.
9. Luxurious (feat. Slim Thug)
A sultry R&B track that floats on a sample from the Isley Brothers. It is about working hard and enjoying the fruits of that labor (“Cha-ching, cha-ching”). Gwen sounds relaxed and sexy here. The atmosphere is languid and rich, fitting the title perfectly. A song to dream away to in a bathtub full of diamonds.
8. Used to Love You
Her big comeback after her divorce from Gavin Rossdale. An emotional synth-pop ballad where she airs her heart. “I don’t know why I used to love you.” The video, in which she simply looks at the camera and cries, is powerful in its simplicity. It is one of her most honest and vulnerable songs.
7. Rich Girl (feat. Eve)
A remake of a song from Fiddler on the Roof (“If I Were a Rich Man”), produced by Dr. Dre. The combination with rapper Eve works perfectly, just like their previous hit. It is playful, theatrical, and bursting with luxury. A delightful pop song with a wink to the musical world. Gwen at her most theatrical.
6. Make Me Like You
A cheerful disco-pop track about falling in love again (with Blake Shelton). The song was recorded live during a Grammy’s commercial break (the music video). The bassline is groovy and irresistible. The song radiates pure infatuation and positivity. One of her best and most underrated pop songs.
5. 4 in the Morning
A beautiful, mid-tempo synth-pop ballad inspired by the 80s. It deals with the loneliness and arguments in the middle of the night. Gwen sings with an emotional sob that hits home. The atmosphere is nocturnal and melancholic. It shows she can do more than play quirky characters; she can convey deep emotion.
4. The Sweet Escape (feat. Akon)
The “Woo-hoo, yee-hoo” hook is impossible to get out of your head. A breezy pop song about a relationship that needs a time-out. The collaboration with Akon was a stroke of genius. It is summery, cheerful, and has a unique “bouncy” beat. A song that symbolizes the carefree pop music of the mid-2000s.
3. What You Waiting For?
Her solo debut. An insane mix of new wave, electro, and rock. The lyrics deal with her fear of going solo and her writer’s block (“Tick tock, tick tock”). The song is chaotic, fast, and brilliant. Gwen sounds panicked and excited at the same time. An artistic feat that showed she was willing to take risks.
2. Cool
The successor to “Don’t Speak” in a spiritual sense. It’s about her relationship with Tony Kanal (her ex and No Doubt bassist), but years later: they are now “cool” and friends. The production is a perfect 80s pastiche (think Madonna/Cyndi Lauper). The melody is warm and nostalgic. A beautiful, mature song about friendship after love.
1. Hollaback Girl
The Neptunes’ beat is bare and stomping. The lyrics are a response to Courtney Love calling her a “cheerleader.” Gwen embraced the insult and turned it into a global hit. “B-A-N-A-N-A-S.” The song is iconic, bold, and minimalist. It was the first digital single to sell more than a million copies. In pop culture, this is her undisputed monument.
