I actually think "These Words" has some of the wittier lyrics in this rate. And I love the hip-hop influences in the production, which give it a bit of edge.
Where it all began! Back in the day, this is what we had of Stefani. A club-going, Akon-featuring, drunk-getting party girl. No one expected too much from her. Now she doesn't go away.
It's the best-selling US debut single of all time. 6.6m copies. Second-best digital sales of all time. And having reached #1 in the UK and stayed there for 3 weeks, she says:
"It's been a long running dream to have a big hit in the UK – my fans there are so sexy and the people are so innovative and free in how they think about pop culture and music. I was in my apartment in Los Angeles getting ready to go to dance rehearsal when they called and told me, and I just cried."
So yes, she does cry at everything. But on the bright side, this song basically was the thing that brought dance-pop back from the dead. And we've still not got rid of it. And it might be a while before we do. Kudos, Stefani.
Jinzo's verdict: 9.5 Love love love. I miss this Gaga dearly. Born This Way is ai'ight, but I just feel so much better with this sort of stuff. Will Gaga ever again have a lyric as free-thinking as "What's the name of this club?". Put all the blood and alien goo and meat clothing down and get frigging partying, woman.