Undercover

Album: Push And Shove (2012)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Push and Shove is the first No Doubt album on which vocalist Gwen Stefani and bassist Tony Kanal collaborated on the songwriting (they had previously only worked together on the singer's solo albums). Stefani told The Sun: "It was the first time we both wrote lyrics and melodies. Tony was a lifesaver as I was so exhausted. He'd gone to classes and learned how to play the piano and how to use Pro Tools and wrote a lot of songs. He inspired me and helped me because I didn't have the luxury of time. In the past I'd never write a song before the sun went down. This time I had to be home for when Kingston got out of school."
  • This dance pop number, which explores issues of mistrust in a long-term relationship, was the first fruit of their labors. Kanal told The Sun: "We worked in the studio at my house. We had to black out all the windows and this beautiful view of Los Angeles so Gwen could pretend it was night. But it worked. Once we wrote the song 'Undercover' this massive weight lifted off our shoulders and we knew we could do it."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Gary Lewis

Gary LewisSongwriter Interviews

Gary Lewis and the Playboys had seven Top 10 hits despite competition from The Beatles. Gary talks about the hits, his famous father, and getting drafted.

Jack Tempchin - "Peaceful Easy Feeling"

Jack Tempchin - "Peaceful Easy Feeling"They're Playing My Song

When a waitress wouldn't take him home, Jack wrote what would become one of the Eagles most enduring hits.

Keith Reid of Procol Harum

Keith Reid of Procol HarumSongwriter Interviews

As Procol Harum's lyricist, Keith wrote the words to "A Whiter Shade Of Pale." We delve into that song and find out how you can form a band when you don't sing or play an instrument.

Richie Wise (Kiss producer, Dust)

Richie Wise (Kiss producer, Dust)Songwriter Interviews

Richie talks about producing the first two Kiss albums, recording "Brother Louie," and the newfound appreciation of his rock band, Dust.

Donald Fagen

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

Don Dokken

Don DokkenSongwriter Interviews

Dokken frontman Don Dokken explains what broke up the band at the height of their success in the late '80s, and talks about the botched surgery that paralyzed his right arm.