When No Doubt released "Spiderwebs," their second single off of 1995's Tragic Kingdom, one thing was clear: they weren't going to quietly retreat as a one-hit wonder after the first single, "Just a Girl." Following up with "Don't Speak" sealed the deal -- they had more staying power and range than a catchy ska punk song. "Sunday Morning" and other hits off the album followed. After all, this was their third studio album. They had been developing their sound nearly 10 years before nationwide radio picked them up.
Who: No Doubt - Gwen Stefani (vocals), Tom Dumont (guitar), Tony Kanal (bass), Adrian Young (drums, percussion), Eric Stefani (keyboards, piano). Founding member Eric Stefani left in 1994, Tragic Kingdom was the last album he played on.
What: "Spiderwebs" written by Gwen Stefani and Tony Kanal, produced by Matthew Wilder
When: Released November 19, 1995
Screening phone calls has definitely advanced with technology since the 1990s. The song is about a lover who can't let go. Regardless of the decade, this problem (unfortunately) never gets outdated. Perhaps more meaningful than the lyrics is the heavy use of brass such as trombones, which helped make the third-wave of ska mainstream when it hit the radio, along with Reel Big Fish and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. Have a listen to this blast from the past at the bottom and brace yourself because No Doubt is coming back!
Last February the band announced that they would postpone touring to get back to the studio. This past spring Rolling Stone confirmed that Rock Mafia producers and Greg Kurstin were teaming up with the band to write new material for a 2014 album release.
Stay tuned for news on the new material, and for next week's Throwback Thursday -- we're always taking artist suggestions.
