You know the whole schtick about every dark cloud having a silver lining? Well in the case of Gwen Stefani’s love life, it’s more a combination of gold and double-platinum.
The rocker-turned-popper’s early nineties split from No Doubt bandmate Tony Kanal inspired the timeless tear-jerker Don’t Speak, which ended up becoming one of the biggest songs of the decade, achieving double-platinum status here in Australia and similar results globally.
And now, the singer has unveiled a brand new break-up anthem, which seems to be inspired by her recent split from another boy in another band: Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale.
The pair recently filed for divorce after almost 13 years together, and in the song – which is tipped to be her next single – Stefani doesn’t beat around the Bush (frontman).
“You thought there were no boundaries, but you just pushed me too far / I guess nobody taught you, nobody taught you how to love,” she gripes in Verse 2.
Stefani debuted the solo ballad, entitled Used To Love You, live during a performance at Manhattan’s Hammerstein Ballroom for a room full of MasterCard customers, as part of the credit card company’s Priceless Surprises series.
Whether or not it will go on to achieve the cultural resonance and commercial success of Don’t Speak remains to be seen, and a huge close-up screen projection of Stefani’s sad face during the performance certainly makes for an interesting viewing experience, even if it’s a little off-putting.
But, in the plus column, the heartfelt song is definitely the most emotionally raw solo material we’ve seen from Stefani in a long time.
Let me hear you say this shit is bananas, B-A-N-A-N-A-S.
Check it out below.
Watch: Gwen Stefani – Used To Love You Live @ Hammerstein Ballroom
https://youtu.be/huQoAEnmW90
Watch: No Doubt – Don’t Speak
