Gwen Stefani: ‘Don’t Speak changed everything – it’s the heartbeat of who I am’
Gwen Stefani on the enduring power of her iconic No Doubt ballad
Gwen Stefani has reflected on the enduring power of her iconic No Doubt ballad ‘Don’t Speak’. The song was released on 24 March 1996 as the fourth and final single from the band’s third album Tragic Kingdom (1995) and became one of their signature hits.
On the 25th anniversary of its release, Stefani spoke to Apple Music 1’s Zane Lowe about the song’s impact on her life and career.
“I feel emotional right now talking about it,” she said. “That song changed everything.”
“Before that song,” she continued, “I did not feel comfortable in my own skin at all. I was trying to figure out how to be a singer and how to be a person while living in a fishbowl.”
“I was constantly being judged and I didn’t feel beautiful or smart or talented,” she added. “But when ‘Don’t Speak’ came out, it was like the world finally saw me for who I am.”
“That song gave me the confidence to be myself,” she said. “It’s the heartbeat of who I am.”
Stefani also spoke about the song’s enduring popularity and its ability to connect with people from all walks of life.
“I think the reason ‘Don’t Speak’ has lasted so long is because it’s a song about something that everyone can relate to,” she said. “We all go through heartbreak and we all feel like we’re not enough sometimes.”
“But that song reminds us that we’re not alone,” she added. “It’s a song about hope and healing.”
“I’m so grateful for that song,” she said. “It’s changed my life in so many ways.”
‘Don’t Speak’ was a commercial success, reaching number one in the United States and several other countries.
The song has been certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and has sold over 10 million copies worldwide.
It has been praised by critics for its raw emotion and confessional lyrics and is considered one of the greatest songs of the 1990s.
In 2020, ‘Don’t Speak’ was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Gwen Stefani began her career in the early 1990s. After fronting the band No Doubt for several years, she embarked on a successful solo career in 2004. She has sold more than 50 million records worldwide and won numerous awards.
Stefani is known for her unique fashion sense and her eclectic music style, which blends pop, rock, and reggae influences.
She has also been a judge on the television show The Voice since 2014.
Stefani is married to country music star Blake Shelton. The couple has three sons.
