Lyrics: The Singles (2003) — Shefani Archive

written by Gwen Stefani, Tom Dumont

Take this pink ribbon off my eyes
I'm exposed, and it's no big surprise
Don't you think I know exactly where I stand?
This world is forcing me to hold your hand

Cause I'm just a girl, oh little ol’ me
Don't let me out of your sight
Oh, I’m just a girl, all pretty and petite
So don't let me have any rights

Oh, I've had it up to here

The moment that I step outside
So many reasons for me to run and hide
I can't do the little things I hold so dear
Cause it's all those little things that I fear

Cause I'm just a girl, I'd rather not be
Cause they won't let me drive late at night
Oh, I’m just a girl, guess I'm some kind of freak
Cause they all sit and stare with their eyes

Oh, I’m just a girl, take a good look at me
Just your typical prototype
Oh, I've had it up to here
Oh, am I making myself clear?

I'm just a girl
I'm just a girl in the world
That's all that you'll let me be!

Oh, I’m just a girl, living in captivity
Your rule of thumb makes me worrisome
Oh, I’m just a girl, what's my destiny
What I've succumbed to is making me numb
Oh, I’m just a girl, my apologies
What I've become is so burdensome
Oh, I’m just a girl, lucky me
Twiddle-dum, there's no comparison

Oh, I've had it up to
Oh, I've had it up to
Oh, I've had it up to here

written by Mark Hollis, Tim Friese-Greene

It's funny how I find myself in love with you
If I could buy my reasoning, I’d pay to lose
One half won't do
I've asked myself
How much do you commit yourself?

It's my life
Don't you forget
It's my life
It never ends (it never ends)

Funny how I blind myself, I never knew
If I was sometimes played upon, afraid to lose
Oh, I'd tell myself
What good do you do
Convince myself

Oh, it’s my life
Don't you forget
Oh, it’s my life
It never ends (it never ends)

And I've asked myself
How much do you commit yourself?

Oh, it's my life
Don't you forget
Caught in the crowd
It never ends (it never ends)

Oh, it's my life (oh, it's my life)
Don't you forget (don't you forget)
Caught in the crowd (caught in the crowd)
It never ends (it never ends)

written by Gwen Stefani, Tony Kanal, Tom Dumont, Rodney Price

Hey baby, hey baby, hey
Girls say, boys say
Hey baby, hey baby, hey
Hey baby baby

I’m the kinda girl that hangs with the guys
Like a fly on the wall with my secret eyes
Taking it in, try to be feminine
With my makeup bag watching all the sin

Misfit, I sit, lit up, wicked
Everybody else surrounded by the girls
With the tank tops and the flirty words

I’m just sipping on chamomile
Watching boys and girls and their sex appeal
With a stranger in the face who says he knows my mom
And went to my high school

All the boys say
“Hey baby, hey baby, hey”
Girls say, girls say
“Hey baby, hey baby, hey”
Hey baby baby
“Hey baby, hey baby, hey”
Boys say, boys say
“Hey baby, hey baby, hey”
All the boys get the girls in the back

I’m the one they feed upon
Give a bit, a star is born
And if you're hot enough, you'll get the pass
And you can tell your friends how you made it back

No matter what they say, I’m still the same
Somehow everybody knows my name
And all the girls wanna get with the boys
And the boys really like it

All the boys say
“Hey baby, hey baby, hey”
Girls say, girls say
“Hey baby, hey baby, hey”
Hey baby baby
“Hey baby, hey baby, hey”
Boys say, boys say
“Hey baby, hey baby, hey”
All the boys get the girls in the back

[Bounty Killer]
Check it out, it’s Bounty Killer and No Doubt

Jump on the stage makes me going crazy
Afterwards myself and one of them gorgeous ladies
There is no need to be acting shady
Come on baby, hey hey baby
Jump on the stage cos we going crazy
Afterwards myself and one of them gorgeous ladies
There is no need to be acting shady
Come on baby, hey hey baby

When you rock your hips, you know that it amaze me
Got me off the hook and nothing else don't phase me
Can you be my one and only sunshine, lady
If no, maybe, hey baby

[No Doubt]
I’m just sipping on chamomile
Watching boys and girls and their sex appeal
With a stranger in the face who says he knows my mom
And went to my high school (That’s right)

All the boys say
“Hey baby, hey baby, hey”
Girls say, girls say
“Hey baby, hey baby, hey”
Hey baby baby
“Hey baby, hey baby, hey”
Boys say, boys say
“Hey baby, hey baby, hey”

[Bounty Killer] Can you be my one and only sunshine, lady

“Hey baby, hey baby, hey”
Girls say, girls say
“Hey baby, hey baby, hey”

[Bounty Killer] When you rock your hips, you know that it amaze me

“Hey baby, hey baby, hey”
Boys say, boys say
“Hey baby, hey baby, hey”
All the boys get the girls in the back

written by Gwen Stefani, Tony Kanal, Tom Dumont

You and your museum of lovers
The precious collection you've housed in your covers
My simpleness threatened by my own admission

And the bags are much too heavy
In my insecure condition
My pregnant mind is fat full with envy again

But I still love to wash in your old bathwater
Love to think that you couldn't love another
I can't help it, you’re my kind of man

Wanted and adored by attractive women
Bountiful selection at your discretion
I know I'm diving into my own destruction

So why do we choose the boys that are naughty?
I don't fit in so why do you want me?
And I know I can't tame you, but I just keep trying

Cause I love to wash in your old bathwater
Love to think that you couldn't love another
I'm on your list with all your other women

But I still love to wash in your old bathwater
You make me feel like I couldn't love another
I can't help it, you’re my kind of man

Why do the good girls always want the bad boys?

So I pacify problems with kisses and cuddles
Diligently doubtful through all kinds of trouble
Then I find myself choking on all my contradictions

Cause I still love to wash in your old bathwater
Love to think that you couldn't love another
Share a toothbrush, you’re my kind of man

I still love to wash in your old bathwater
Make me feel like I couldn't love another
I can't help it, you’re my kind of man

No, I can't help myself
I can't help myself
I still love to wash in your old bathwater

written by Tony Kanal, Gwen Stefani, Eric Stefani

Sappy pathetic little me
That was the girl I used to be
You had me on my knees

I'd trade you places any day
I'd never thought you could be that way
But you looked like me on Sunday

Well, you came in with the breeze
On Sunday morning
You sure have changed since yesterday
Without any warning
I thought I knew you (whoa)
I thought I knew you (whoa)
I thought I knew you well, so well

You're trying my shoes on for a change
They look so good but fit so strange
Out of fashion so I can’t complain

Oh, you came in with the breeze
On Sunday morning
You sure have changed since yesterday
Without any warning
I thought I knew you (whoa)
I thought I knew you (whoa)
I thought I knew you well, so well

I know who I am, but who are you?
You're not looking like you used to
You're on the other side of the mirror
So nothing's looking quite as clear

Thank you for turning on the lights
Thank you, now you're the parasite
I didn't think you had it in you
And now you're looking like I used to

You came in with the breeze
On Sunday morning
You sure have changed since yesterday
Without any warning
And you want me badly
Cause you cannot have me
I thought I knew you (whoa)
But I've got a new view (whoa)
I thought I knew you well, oh well

Ooh, on Sunday morning
Without a warning
Sunday morning
I thought I knew you
Sunday morning
Ooh, you want me badly
Cannot have me
Sunday morning
Sunday morning
Sunday morning

written by Gwen Stefani, Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo, Tony Kanal

The waves keep on crashing on me for some reason
But your love keeps on coming like a thunderbolt
Well, come here a little closer
Cause I wanna see you, baby, real close up

You got me feeling hella good
So let’s just keep on dancing
You hold me like you should
So I’m gonna keep on dancing

A performance deserving of standing ovations
And who would of thought it’d be the two of us
So don’t wake me if I’m dreaming
Cause I’m in the mood, come on and give it up

You got me feeling hella good
So let’s just keep on dancing
You hold me like you should
So I’m gonna keep on dancing

Yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah

You got me feeling hella good
So let’s just keep on dancing
You hold me like you should
So I’m gonna keep on dancing

Keep on dancing
Keep on dancing

written by Gwen Stefani, Tom Dumont

Don’t let it go away
This feeling has got to stay
Don’t let it go away
This feeling has got to stay
And I can’t believe I’ve had this chance now
Don’t let it go away

New, you’re so new
You, you’re new
And I never had this taste in the past
New, you’re so new

My normal hesitation is gone
And I really gravitate to your will
Are you here to fetch me out?
Cause I’ve never had this taste in my mouth

Oh, you’re not old
And you’re not familiar
Recently discovered
And I’m learning about you

New, you’re so new
You, you’re new

And you’re consuming me violently
And your reverence shamelessly tempting me
Who sent this maniac?
Cause I never had this taste in the past

Oh, you’re different
You’re different from the former
Like a fresh battery
I’m energized by you

Don’t let it go away
This feeling has got to stay
Don’t let it go away
This feeling has got to stay
And I can’t believe I’ve had this chance now
Don’t let it go away

Why am I so curious?
This territory is dangerous
I’ll probably end up at the start
I’ll be back in line with my broken heart

New, you’re so new
You, you’re new
And I never had this taste in the past

Don’t let it go away
This feeling has got to stay
Don’t let it go away
This feeling has got to stay
And I can’t believe I’ve had this chance now
Don’t let it go away

And I can’t believe it
Can’t believe it, can’t believe it, can’t believe it
Don’t let it go away
This feeling has got to stay
Don’t let it go away

(New, you’re so new
New, you’re so new
New, you’re so new)

written by Gwen Stefani, David Stewart

There's times when I want something more
Someone more like me
There's times when this dress rehearsal
Seems incomplete

But you see the colors in me
Like no one else
And behind your dark glasses
You're something else

You're really lovely
Underneath it all
You want to love me
Underneath it all
I'm really lucky
Underneath it all
You're really lovely

You know some real bad tricks
And you need some discipline
But lately you've been trying real hard
And giving me your best

And you give me the most gorgeous sleep
That I've ever had
And when it's really bad
I guess it's not that bad

You're really lovely
Underneath it all
You want to love me
Underneath it all
I'm really lucky
Underneath it all
You're really lovely

So many moons that we have seen
Stumbling back next to me
I've seen right through and underneath
And you make me better
I've seen right through and underneath
And you make me better, better, better

[Lady Saw]
For real!
Cause underneat' it all, you are my real Prince Charmin'
Like the heat from the fire, you were always burnin'
Anytime you’re around, my body keeps callin'
For your touch, your kisses and your sweet romancin'
There’s another side of you that so many adore
Aside from your temper, everything else secure
You’re good for me, baby, of that, I’m sure
Cause over and over again, me want more

You've used up all your coupons
And all you got left is me
And somehow I'm full of forgiveness
I guess it's meant to be

You're really lovely
Underneath it all
You want to love me
Underneath it all
I'm really lucky
Underneath it all
You're really lovely

You're really lovely
Underneath it all
You want to love me
Underneath it all
I'm really lucky
Underneath it all
And you're really lovely

Mmm, mmm, mmm
Underneath it all
Mmm, mmm, mmm
Underneath it all
Mmm, mmm, mmm
Underneath it all
Mmm, mmm, mmm
Underneath it all

written by Gwen Stefani, Tom Dumont

I'm like a beggar with no luck
I'm holding signs up
On your street corner stops
Like most you try not to see me
You stare straight ahead
Ignore the responsibility

Excuse me (Excuse me Mr.)
Well, I’ve been waiting in line
And I'd like to buy some of your time
I'm very anxious, eager, willing
What's your billing?

So please excuse me Mr.
You've got things all wrong
You make it feel like a crime
So don't confuse me Mr.
I've known you too long
All I need is a little of your time

For most love comes for free
They don't pay the high cost
Of mental custody
I'll pay bail for a guarantee
Please make space for me
In the time yet to be

Excuse me (Excuse me Mr.)
Well, I’ve been waiting in line
And I'd like to buy
Some of your time
I've been saving up my life
What's your price?

So please excuse me Mr.
You’ve got things all wrong
You make it feel like a crime
So don’t confuse me Mr.
I’ve known you too long
All I need is a little of your time

What should I do?
I'm about to crack
And there's a force
That comes over me

It's almost as if I'm tied to the tracks
And I'm waiting for him to rescue me

The funny thing is he's not going to come
He's not going to find me

This is a matter of fact, the desire you lack
This is the way I guess it has to be

A little of your time
I need a little of your time
Please, a little of your time

So please excuse me Mr.
You’ve got things all wrong
You make it feel like a crime
So don’t confuse me Mr.
I’ve known you too long, boy
All I need is a little of your time

Ooh, I’m in line to buy time
I'm in line to buy time
I’m in line to
I’m in line to

Excuse me
Well, I’ve been waiting in line
Excuse me
Excuse me Mr.

written by Gwen Stefani, Tony Kanal

Run, running all the time
Running to the future
With you right by my side

Me, I’m the one you chose
Out of all the people
You wanted me the most

And I’m so sorry that I’ve fallen
Help me up, let’s keep on running
Don’t let me fall out of love

Running, running as fast as we can
Do you think we’ll make it?
We’re running, keep holding my hand
So we don’t get separated

Be, be the one I need
Be the one I trust most
Don’t stop inspiring me

Sometimes it’s hard to keep on running
We work so much to keep it going
Don’t make me want to give up

Running, running as fast as we can
I really hope we make it
Do you think we’ll make it?
We’re running, keep holding my hand
So we don’t get separated

We’re running as fast as we can
I really hope we make it
Do you think we’ll make it?
We’re running, keep holding my hand
So we don’t get separated

The future…

Running, running as fast as we can
Do you think we’ll make it?
Do you think we’ll make it?
We’re running, keep holding my hand
So we don’t get separated

Running, as fast as we can
I really hope we’ll make it
Do you think we’ll make it?
We’re running, running, keep holding my hand
So we don’t get separated

written by Gwen Stefani, Tony Kanal

You think that we connect
That the chemistry's correct
Your words walk right through my ears
Presuming I like what I hear

And now I'm stuck in the the web
You're spinning
You got me for your prey

Sorry, I'm not home right now
I'm walking into spiderwebs
So leave a message and I'll call you back
A likely story, but leave a message
And I'll call you back

You're intruding on what's mine
Yeah, and you're taking up my time
Don't have the courage inside me
To tell you please let me be

Communication
A telephonic invasion
I'm planning my escape

Sorry, I'm not home right now
I'm walking into spiderwebs
So leave a message and I'll call you back
A likely story, but leave a message
And I'll call you back

And it's all your fault
I screen my phone calls
No matter who calls
I gotta screen my phone calls

Now it's gone too deep (now it’s gone too deep)
You wake me in my sleep (wake me in my sleep)
My dreams become nightmares (dreams become nightmares)
Cause you're ringing in my ears (ringing in my)

Sorry, I'm not home right now
I'm walking into spiderwebs
So leave a message and I'll call you back
A likely story, but leave a message
And I'll call you back

And it's all your fault
I screen my phone calls
No matter matter matter matter who calls
I gotta screen my phone calls

Oooh, the spiderwebs
Leave a message and I'll call you back
I'm walking into spiderwebs
So leave a message and I'll call you back

It's all your fault
I screen my phone calls
No matter matter matter who calls
I gotta screen my phone calls

It’s all your fault
It’s all your fault
No matter who calls
No matter who calls

I'm walking into spiderwebs
So leave a message and I'll call you back
I'm walking into spiderwebs
Leave a message and I'll call you back

Oh, it’s all your fault
No matter who calls
I gotta screen my phone calls
It’s all your fault
No matter matter matter who calls
I screen my phone calls
I’m walking into spiderwebs
Leave a message and I’ll call you back

written by Gwen Stefani

For a long time I was in love
Not only in love, I was obsessed
With a friendship that no one else could touch
It didn't work out, I'm covered in shells

And all I wanted was the simple things
A simple kind of life
And all I needed was a simple man
So I could be a wife

I'm so ashamed, I've been so mean
I don't know how it got to this point
I always was the one with all the love
You came along, I'm hunting you down

Like a sick domestic abuser looking for a fight
And all I wanted was the simple things
A simple kind of life

If we met tomorrow for the very first time
Would it start all over again?
Would I try to make you mine?

I always thought I'd be a mom
Sometimes I wish for a mistake
The longer that I wait, the more selfish that I get
You seem like you'd be a good dad

Now all those simple things are simply too complicated for my life
How'd I get so faithful to my freedom?
A selfish kind of life
When all I ever wanted was the simple things
A simple kind of life (x14)

written by Gwen Stefani, Eric Stefani

You and me
We used to be together
Everyday together
Always

I really feel
That I'm losing my best friend
I can't believe, this could be
The end

It looks as though you're letting go
And if it's real, well, I don't want to know

Don't speak
I know just what you're saying
So please stop explaining
Don't tell me cause it hurts
Don't speak
I know what you're thinking
I don't need your reasons
Don't tell me cause it hurts

Our memories
They can be inviting
But some are altogether
Mighty frightening

As we die, both you and I
With my head in my hands, I sit and cry

Don't speak
I know just what you're saying
So please stop explaining
Don't tell me cause it hurts, no no no
Don't speak
I know what you're thinking
I don't need your reasons
Don't tell me cause it hurts

It's all ending
I gotta stop pretending who we are

You and me
I can see us dying… are we?

Don't speak
I know just what you're saying
So please stop explaining
Don't tell me cause it hurts, no no
Don't speak
I know what you're thinking
And I don't need your reasons
Don't tell me cause it hurts

Don't tell me cause it hurts
I know what you're saying
So please stop explaining
Don't speak, don't speak, don't speak, oh

I know what you're thinking
And I don't need your reasons
I know you're good, I know you're good
I know you're real good, oh

La la la la la la la la la la la la
Don’t, don’t, ooh, ooh
Hush, hush, darling
Hush, hush, darling
Hush, hush, don’t tell me ‘cause it hurts

Hush, hush, darling
Hush, hush, darling
Hush, hush, don’t tell me ‘cause it hurts

written by Gwen Stefani, Tom Dumont, Tony Kanal

I kinda always knew I’d end up your ex-girlfriend
I kinda always knew I’d end up your ex-girlfriend

I kinda always knew I’d end up your ex-girlfriend
I hope I hold a special place with the rest of them
And you know it makes me sick to be on that list
But I should have thought of that before we kissed

You say you’re gonna burn before you mellow
I will be the one to burn you
Why’d you have to go and pick me?
When you knew that we were different, completely

I kinda always knew I’d end up your ex-girlfriend
I kinda always knew I’d end up your ex-girlfriend
I hope I hold a special place with the rest of them
I kinda always knew I’d end up your ex-girlfriend

I’m another ex-girlfriend on your list
But I should have thought of that before we kissed

Your wildness scares me, so does your freedom
You say you can’t stand the restrictions
I find myself trying to change you
If you were meant to be my lover I wouldn’t have to

And I feel so mean, I feel in between
Cause I’m about to give you away

I kinda always knew I’d end up your ex-girlfriend (for someone else to take)
I kinda always knew I’d end up your ex-girlfriend (am I making a mistake?)
I hope I hold a special place with the rest of them (all the time that we spent)
I kinda always knew I’d end up your ex-girl, friend

I’m another ex-girlfriend on your list
But I should have thought of that before we kissed
I’m another ex-girlfriend on your list
But I should have thought of that before we kissed

I’m about to give you away for someone else to take
I’m about to give you away for someone else to take

We keep repeating mistakes for souvenirs
And we’ve been in between the days for years
And I know that when I see you I’m going to die
I know I’m going to want you and you know why
It’s going to kill me to see you with the next girl
Cause I’m the most gorgeously jealous kind of ex-girl
But I should have thought of that before we kissed

I kinda always knew I’d end up your ex-girlfriend
I kinda always knew I’d end up your ex-girlfriend
I hope I hold a special place with the rest of them (all the time that we spent)
I kinda always knew I’d end up your ex-girl, friend

And now I’m another ex-girlfriend on your list
But I should have thought of that before we kissed
I’m another ex-girlfriend on your list
But I should have thought of that before we kissed

written by Eric Stefani, Tony Kanal, Gwen Stefani, Tom Dumont

Trapped in a box of tremendous size
It distorts my vision, it closes my eyes
Attracts filthy flies and pollutes in the skies
It sucks up our lives and proliferates lies
Trapped in a box

Trapped in a box, four walls as sky
Got a screen for a window about two feet wide
My mind rides and slides as my circuits are fried
No room for thought, use the box as my guide
Trapped in a box

Ooh, trapped in a box
Watch the world as it flocks
To life's paradox
And we're all trapped in a box

Oh, trapped in a box, I'm not alone
I know of others with a box as their home
Light only enters from a crack or a hole
Oh, this is not enough for a human to grow
Trapped in a box

Ooh, trapped in a box
Watch the world as it flocks
To life's paradox
And we're all trapped in a box

Always wanting a different view
Instant gratification for you
Reality gone with a single click
I just hope that that switch won't stick

Ah, trapped in a box my life becomes void
And all of the thought for myself's now destroyed
Controlling my mind, what to eat, what to buy
Subliminal rules: how to live, how to die
Trapped in a box

Ooh, trapped in a box
Watch the world as it flocks
To life's paradox
And we're all trapped in a box
Ooh, trapped in a box
Watch the world as it flocks
To life's paradox
And we're all trapped in a box

We're all trapped in a box
Ooh ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh ooh
We're all trapped in a box

The Singles

released 25th november 2003