Just A Girl

"Just A Girl" was written by Gwen Stefani after her brother Eric, No Doubt's primary songwriter up to then, left the band. She wrote it when she was frustrated with her father for being overprotective of her while Eric got free rein. "I wouldn't trade being female for anything, but the guys don't understand what a burden it can be sometimes," she explained.

The song became a girl-power anthem, but that wasn't what Stefani had in mind when she wrote it. "I was in this all-guy band and all my friends were guys," she explained in a video. "I just had this point of view and I wanted to play on that. I thought it was really appropriate and really real to who I was."

"Just A Girl" was No Doubt's first single, ending years of hardship and turmoil as they tried to break through. The band formed in 1986 and nearly broke up when their original lead singer, John Spence, committed suicide the following year. After some lineup changes, they signed with Interscope in 1991 and released their debut album in 1992, which flopped hard. Gwen's brother Eric, who formed the band, bailed in 1994, leaving Gwen the last original member. The Tragic Kingdom album took over two years to make, during which time Gwen and bass player Tony Kanal ended their seven-year relationship. When they finally had a hit, it was a huge relief. It was especially gratifying when the powerhouse Los Angeles radio station KROQ began playing the song, fulfilling the band's dream.