People (Oct. 30th 2015)

Gwen Stefani on the Inspiration Behind Her Emotional New Song: 'What Else Can I Say?'

Gwen Stefani has been bombarded with questions and speculations about her emotional new single, “Used to Love You,” but for the singer, the song says it all.

“It’s funny when people try to go deeper into a song that’s already, like so spilling my guts. What else can I say?” Stefani, 46, told PEOPLE as she arrived at the 2015 UCLA Neurosurgery Visionary Ball in Beverly Hills, California, on Thursday.

“I’ve never put music out in real time where I’m really going through stuff. I only wrote that song a few weeks ago.”

The No Doubt singer debuted the single during her MasterCard Priceless Surprises concert in New York City on Oct. 10. Naturally, many speculated that the song, and the emotional video behind it, was the result of her split from Gavin Rossdale.

Stefani did not say at the event whether her divorce was the inspiration behind the song, much like her appearance on Today earlier this week. But she did tell PEOPLE that “it’s been amazing” to have so many people see the heart-wrenching video – “which wasn’t even supposed to be the video” – and “understand it.”

“That feels good to me. It’s like comfort,” she said. “And I love doing music and having that. It’s like I’m giving you something and then you’re giving me something.”

The 46-year-old singer stunned on the red carpet at the event where she donned a striped, backless number by Reem Acra with fishnet stockings and a slicked-back ‘do.

She sported a big smile as she snapped solo pics and snaps alongside Mark Burnett.