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

Jon Oliva of Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Jon Oliva of Trans-Siberian OrchestraSongwriter Interviews

Writing great prog metal isn't easy, especially when it's for 60 musicians.

Steely Dan

Steely DanFact or Fiction

Did they really trade their guitarist to The Doobie Brothers? Are they named after something naughty? And what's up with the band name?

Church Lyrics

Church LyricsMusic Quiz

Here is the church, here is the steeple - see if you can identify these lyrics that reference church.

Chris Squire of Yes

Chris Squire of YesSongwriter Interviews

One of the most dynamic bass player/songwriters of his time, Chris is the only member of Yes who has been with the band since they formed in 1968.

La La Brooks of The Crystals

La La Brooks of The CrystalsSong Writing

The lead singer on "Da Doo Ron Ron" and "Then He Kissed Me," La La explains how and why Phil Spector replaced The Crystals with Darlene Love on "He's A Rebel."

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"They're Playing My Song

Chris and his wife Tina were the rhythm section for Talking Heads when they formed The Tom Tom Club. "Genius of Love" was their blockbuster, but David Byrne only mentioned it once.