Ex-Girlfriend

Album: Return Of Saturn (2000)
Charted: 23
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In this song, No Doubt lead singer Gwen Stefani looks back on a failed relationship knowing she is now part of a long list of this guy's ex-girlfriends. She knew his type, but made the mistake of kissing him anyway, which is when she got hooked.

    If the song is about a real relationship, it was one from long ago; Stefani had been dating Bush lead singer Gavin Rossdale for about four years when the song was released. They got married in 2002 and divorced in 2015.
  • The line, "You say you're gonna burn before you mellow" is a reference to the Bush song "Dead Meat," where Rossdale sings: "I'm doing you in tomorrow, I'll burn before I mellow."

    That song appears on Bush's 1999 album The Science of Things; Stefani sang on another track from the album: "Spacetravel."
  • In the music video, directed by Hype Williams, Stefani disguises herself as a man so she can attack Tony Kanal, the band's bassist who also happens to be her real-life ex-boyfriend, in the men's bathroom. Many of the clip's scenes are based on the controversial anime Kite, about a young female assassin.
  • Speaking to KROQ's Klein & Ally during an Audacy Check podcast (released February 16, 2024), Stefani said this track still brings up emotions for her. She explained that she can't listen to a lot of the songs by No Doubt because "they speak so clearly" to her now.

    "It's like you have regret and mistakes you've made. Most of the songs are about that," she continued. "If I do 'Ex-Girlfriend' even when I say it, I almost throw up in my mouth because... it's just like, 'Oh my God.' It just brings you right back."

Comments: 8

  • Kim from Franceif she wrote it about Tony, then why would she include a lyric from Rossdale? she wrote this about him and their break-up prior to reuniting/getting married.
  • Lilly from Chicago, IlHell yeah to what Danielle said! Why did she have to turn into another popstar clone? She was so wicked in no doubt
  • Jennika from Phoenix , AzActually this song was written by Gwen telling the story of her failed relationship with band's guitarist, Tony Kanal
  • Cristina from Long Beach, Cathis song is kool because all girls that have been throught that or that are going through it can totally dedicate this song to their ex-boyfriends or what WE call trash boys
  • Danielle from Palm Coast, Fli love her hair in the music video she was the first to get the pink hair color started. i hate her newest music i liked her punk it suits her more. and the music sounds better to!!!
  • Andy from London, Englandjust in case your interested, depending on how its written kite can mean to come (not in the sexual sense which in japanese is to go)
  • Kiki from Big Spring, Txi love this song any girl who has been dumped by their first boyfriend can relate to this song!!!!
  • Nick from Erwin, NcThe bathroom scene in the music video was ripped right out of the anime movie "Kite" (pronounced key-tae). "Kite" is considered a 'hentai' movie, which is an anime with graphic sexual scenes (which is what "Kite" DEFINITELY was).
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many Songs

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

Zakk Wylde

Zakk WyldeSongwriter Interviews

When he was playing Ozzfest with Black Label Society, a kid told Zakk he was the best Ozzy guitarist - Zakk had to correct him.

Art Alexakis of Everclear

Art Alexakis of EverclearSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer of Everclear, Art is also their primary songwriter.

John Lee Hooker

John Lee HookerSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for Bruce Pollock's 1984 conversation with the esteemed bluesman. Hooker talks about transforming a Tony Bennett classic and why you don't have to be sad and lonely to write the blues.

Tim McIlrath of Rise Against

Tim McIlrath of Rise AgainstSongwriter Interviews

Rise Against frontman Tim McIlrath explains the meanings behind some of their biggest songs and names the sci-fi books that have influenced him.

80s Video Director Jay Dubin

80s Video Director Jay DubinSong Writing

Billy Joel and Hall & Oates hated making videos, so they chose a director with similar contempt for the medium. That was Jay Dubin, and he has a lot to say on the subject.