90s VOTW: “Just a Girl,” No Doubt
Remember when Gwen Stefani was so effing cool? Like, here was this awesome chick, rocking out with the bindi, platinum blonde hair, heading one of the hippest ska bands in the 90s. How badass is that? Now I guess she’s kind of lame, and I really hate those HP commericals where she’s like “It is SO HARD being creative.” I’m not disputing that it is, in fact I totally agree, but for the love of God, put some feeling into your words, Gwen. You sound like an automaton.
Anyway, of course this song is raging against the injustices of growing up female in this culture and it’s so mocking and subversive. I freaking love it. The make-up montage while the boys are jamming out is especially awesome. Really reinforces the whole “girls are pretty ornaments while boys take action” thing, only Gwen’s rocking her heart out at the same time as being one of the dolls.
I’m loving the knowing smile at 2:13, and then – super dance party! (Including a pregnant lady wearing a belly baring shirt who I never noticed before. So awesome.) And some push-ups! Like her onstage push-up in the “Don’t Speak” video, drenched in sweat and looking out at the crowd like “What now?!” I love the strong woman imagery, but also I just love the song. Ska was so fun to listen to, the perfect music for hopping around your grade school gymnasium with your classmates, banging into each other and laughing your asses off. God, how much do I miss that… Is that appropriate to do with your twentysomething friends? And if so, anyone want to rent out a school gym and jump around to the Mighty Mighty Bosstones and No Doubt and whoever else we can think of?
Is it appropriate? Who cares, let’s do it! I’d be so all about that.
I haven’t commented on this yet because it took me a few days to get over the fact that you remember “Just a Girl” from elementary school days, whereas I was in my freshman year at Pitt when it was released. Ugh.
No worries, jen-nay - EVERYONE is invited to my school gym jump-around-and-bang-into-each-other shindig! And … it was technically middle school, I guess you could say, but I went to a Catholic school that was K-8. So all those school distinctions (elementary, middle, junior high, etc.) escape me.
Chumbawumba!