Gwen Stefani
Her fiance is her greatest inspiration
Gwen Stefani is back with new music.
© Jamie Nelson
After five years, Gwen Stefani is back with new music. In an interview, she reveals what inspires her in lockdown.
In the video for her new single "Let Me Reintroduce Myself", Gwen Stefani (51) celebrates herself and her 90s outfits, which made her a style icon at the time. Among other things, the "Don't Speak" singer pays tribute to her looks from "Just A Girl", "What You Waiting For?" or "Hollaback Girl" tribute. The sound of the single is reminiscent of her times with No Doubt, she found inspiration in ska and reggae, among others. In an interview with the news agency spot on news, the musician reveals what it was like to write new music in lockdown and how it felt to slip into her old costumes for the music video.
Your new single is called "Let Me Reintroduce Myself" – does Gwen Stefani really have to introduce herself?
Gwen Stefani: I wasn't sure if anyone would even want to hear new music from me. I still listen to the same music as I did when I was high school! But then I thought about it and found that I still have something to offer people and that I am still creative.
Where did the idea for the song come from?
Stefani: The producer I worked with suggested the title after a long conversation. He said, "You are still you, but maybe people have forgotten all the things you did." If you've been in business for as long as I have, you come to a point where you don't really understand where you stand – I see myself differently than everyone else. And the song describes exactly how I feel right now.
How have you changed since you started in the music business?
Stefani: I think I've changed a lot. I try to be more confident when it comes to my talent. I have more confidence in contributing and producing ideas. I used to be scared of writing songs and often said, "I'm not a songwriter." Now I know: we all have something that others don't and you just have to use it. I now know what I have to offer.
Did you write the song during the lockdown?
Stefani: Yes, about Zoom – and that's such a miracle for me. The first half of the year I was – like everyone else – in quarantine with my children and suddenly I have 20 songs in front of me and don't even know where they came from.
You are singing in the song of a new energy that you have. Where did you get this from?
Stefani: In the world we are in right now, with all the things that are happening, music can be so powerful and healing and bring the whole world to one table. Music is such a great gift, it brings so much joy. At the beginning of my career, ska and reggae were a great inspiration for me: No matter where you go on vacation, reggae is played there because it makes people happy and brings people together. I wanted my new record to give people that energy.
In the video for "Let Me Reintroduce Myself" you pick up on many of your old songs and looks. Where did the idea come from and how was it to slip into your old outfits?
Stefani: Blake (Shelton, 44, her fiancé; editor's note) provided me with the inspiration. He's just really knowledgeable about music, has coached The Voice for 20 seasons and had around 23 number one hits. He called me one day and told me about his idea that in the video I should wear all of my former outfits. When I told my team about it, they were thrilled! It was a huge project, but it was so much fun and interesting to visit my former selves.
In the video, you are hugging the old you from the no-doubt hit "Don't Speak". What advice would you give Gwen then?
Stefani: I always used to say that I had no regrets. But now I regret not having had an open heart for spiritual things before. I would advise myself not to focus on so many unimportant things and waste time. Now I try to always focus on beautiful things and ignore evil.
Speaking of evil, how has the pandemic affected your life in recent months?
Stefani: For my family it was luck in bad luck. There were so many wonderful moments, we were all together and could take a break. We lived the simple life that I have always dreamed of. But it was also difficult because it was such a big change. I suddenly did the laundry, then homeschooling and it was hard not to see my parents.
But there was also a nice moment: her engagement to country singer Blake Shelton. Are there any wedding plans?
Stefani: I still can't believe it! I am so lucky to have someone like Blake in my life. He is my best friend and I can talk to him about anything. I feel spoiled by happiness, especially after such a difficult time a few years ago. I wish the pandemic wasn't and we could have got married already. But we want our families with us, so right now we're just enjoying the engagement.