Slow Clap

Album: released as a single (2021)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Over a slinky bass groove, Gwen Stefani offers up vulnerable lyrics about embracing resilience and staying confident despite feeling like an underdog.

    Been the champion, rang the bell
    Rocked the bottom, been through hell
    Climbed the mountain, now I'm well
    I just feel like coming back for the belt


    Stefani co-wrote the bouncy song in quarantine with songwriter/producer Ross Golan and songwriter Luke Niccoli, the same team behind her 2020 single "Let Me Reintroduce Myself." Both songs find Stefani looking back on her life and career.
  • Stefani told Zane Lowe that Ross Golan woke up at 5:44 a.m. with "this crazy idea" titled "Slow Clap," which he sang into his phone, then went back to sleep. Golan knew it had huge potential, and he explained the song's concept to Stefani, telling her, "It's kinda like all those movies from '80s where you get clapped back to life like 'You're not the underdog! You're an awesome person!'" The No Doubt singer latched onto the idea and reflected on her experiences of knowing her worth in the face of doubters and haters. Stefani recalled her school days where she felt she didn't "fit in and sometimes your weirdness or don't-fitinness is what makes you so special."

    Stefani added there's a secondary meaning. Having experienced superstardom in the past, she wants to "double dip" and enjoy another 15 minutes of fame.
  • The reggae-tinged song is a callback to Stefani's ska-influenced music with No Doubt during the 1990s. Stefani has been a part of the band since co-forming it back in 1986.
  • Gwen Stefani released a new version featuring Saweetie on April 9, 2021. The rapper shout outs Stefani's 2004 singles "Hollaback Girl" and "Rich Girl," plus her icy gang fanbase during her bold and unapologetic verse. Stefani enlisted Saweetie for the remix after watching the "Tap In" artist dance to her 2005 single "Luxurious" in an Instagram post.
  • Stefani and Saweetie dropped a high school-themed music video. Directed by Sophie Muller, the energetic visual is reminiscent of the No Doubt frontwoman's "Hollaback Girl" clip. Muller previously worked on No Doubt's "Don't Speak" and Stefani's "Wind It Up" videos.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Sarah Brightman

Sarah BrightmanSongwriter Interviews

One of the most popular classical vocalists in the land is lining up a trip to space, which is the inspiration for many of her songs.

Edie Brickell

Edie BrickellSongwriter Interviews

Edie Brickell on her collaborations with Paul Simon, Steve Martin and Willie Nelson, and her 2021 album with the New Bohemians.

Trucking Songs That Were #1 Hits

Trucking Songs That Were #1 HitsSong Writing

The stories behind the biggest hit songs about trucking.

Grateful Dead Characters

Grateful Dead CharactersMusic Quiz

Many unusual folks appear in Grateful Dead songs. Can you identify them?

Angelo Moore of Fishbone

Angelo Moore of FishboneSongwriter Interviews

Fishbone has always enjoyed much more acclaim than popularity - Angelo might know why.

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," Kiss

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," KissSong Writing

After cutting his teeth on hardcore punk videos, Paul defined the grunge look with his work on "Hunger Strike" and "Man in the Box."