Wonderful Life

Album: The Sweet Escape (2006)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This inspiration for this song was one of Gwen Stefani's real-life high-school romances. During an interview for the December 6, 2006 issue of Australian music magazine Inpress, she said it's one of her favorite songs, and explained: It was written for my... I guess he was my first kissing-love who I had in ninth grade - I guess I can say his name, Matt Ellej. He actually passed away and I wanted to write a song for him, and I wrote the song 'Wonderful Life.' The thing that's really crazy about the whole thing is - because obviously I hadn't seen him for a really long time, and I loved him and he changed my life so much - he's the one that turned me onto groups like The Cure and Depeche Mode. He was really into it; I mean he was Robert Smith - he had the whole big hair and everything. He was super into Depeche Mode, and so when Martin Gore played on the record I told him about Matt and how much he loved them. I mean, if he knew that... I mean, how beautiful is that? To have a song I wrote for him, and then to have his idol play on it - it was quite a meaningful experience for me." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Vitor - Blumenau, Santa Catarina, Brazil
  • Stefani wrote this song with Linda Perry, who has also written with Christina Aguilera, Pink and The Dixie Chicks.
  • Stefani had this ready for her first solo album, Love. Angel. Music. Baby., in 2004, but it didn't make the cut so she included it on her next one, The Sweet Escape, in 2006.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Dwight Twilley

Dwight TwilleySongwriter Interviews

Since his debut single "I'm On Fire" in 1975, Dwight has been providing Spinal-Tap moments and misadventure.

Lita Ford

Lita FordSongwriter Interviews

Lita talks about how they wrote songs in The Runaways, and how she feels about her biggest hit being written by somebody else.

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

Jimmy Jam

Jimmy JamSongwriter Interviews

The powerhouse producer behind Janet Jackson's hits talks about his Boyz II Men ballads and regrouping The Time.

Charlie Benante of Anthrax

Charlie Benante of AnthraxSongwriter Interviews

The drummer for Anthrax is also a key songwriter. He explains how the group puts their songs together and tells the stories behind some of their classics.

Adam Young of Owl City

Adam Young of Owl CitySongwriter Interviews

Is Owl City on a quest for another hit like "Fireflies?" Adam answers that question and explains the influences behind many others.