The DL: An Open Letter to Gwen Stefani
- Posted on Dec 5th 2006 2:47PM by Will Hines
- Comments (36)
After hearing Gwen Stefani's latest album, Sara from The DL writes an impassioned plea for Gwen to slap herself in the face.
Watch this segment on The DL site
Read more of Sara's emails
Watch this segment on The DL site
Read more of Sara's emails
Reader Comments(1 of 2)
Janessaat 12-06-2006
Well said completely!
Jenat 12-06-2006
I CONCUR!!!!
p.s...you should dance....professionally :)
NoDoubtFanat 12-06-2006
I so wish I would have been the one to write this letter to Gwen! If I hear Wind It Up again I will have to kill myself. What happened to the Gwen who was cool? What happened to the girl who swore she would never go solo? What happened to the music that was for people over the age of 8? What happened to No Doubt? Will the real Gwen Stefani please stand up? Cuz if this is the real her, then you need to go away now!
Alisonat 12-06-2006
I so get what Sara is saying here!!!!! I have been a Huge fan of Gwen since Tragic Kingdom!! Love, Love, Love her!!! I awaited Gwen's latest work with great anticipation, and have been so let down! Does anyone like this? I don't evwen think Gwen does! Seems like she's let even herself down with "Wind it up" Don't know why she chose that song to release first! In her defense, the rest of her new Album is pretty good (sampled it online) But, I have to admit, I am afraid to buy it for fear that damn yodeling will get stuck in my head and I will be "YODELAO YODELADO YODELOOO-ING" all day long!
rcjasat 12-06-2006
wind it up sucks-i wish she'd go back to her old style
Jasonat 12-06-2006
Wake up, Ms. Editor, she is just playing to a different crowd of people. There's nothing wrong with that. IF you don't like the new style, then listen elsewhere. Apparently, she is doing pretty well and people are still listening to her, although it may be a different target audience. Personally, I like her more upbeat and danceable music. If you don't understand a new style, then stick to just what you know and don't criticize others' tastes. You sound very narrow minded.
Christinaat 12-06-2006
Yes, Yes, YES!!!! Pleeze, Gwen, do what she says before it's too late!
nunyaat 12-06-2006
Well, I mean, I agree that Gwen Stefani has completely lost it. But of course a lily white woman who liked No Doubt isn't going to appreciate Gwen Stefani thinking she's a black 20-yr old. As a black person myself who likes all kinds of music, I felt No Doubt was better and was even like "what the hell is this??" when Gwen came out with her first solo cd...but some of those songs grew on me. Now, I can't even play the new CD. I just want to know when Gwen is going to GROW UP. What is she, like, 40? Her, Mariah and J.Lo need to quit trying so hard to compete with the 20-somethings. It's really embarassing, especially for Gwen. She and her music were way more mature with No Doubt...go have some kids or something, Gwen! Geez! And STOP YODELLING!!! If you're going to pretend to be black, please know black singers don't yodel in their urban songs!!! Save that for if you're a fledgling Jewel.
pammyloveat 12-06-2006
AMEN, SISTA SARA!!!
Tony Kanalat 12-06-2006
Wish I could hop in a DeLorean and go back to 1999 and oogle a hot Gwen Stefani and less trashy Britney.
Danielat 12-06-2006
Dear Editor,
I have been 'Down' with 'The Gwen' for a long time, she F'ing rocked! This album is more than little hard to take. The Cover, if 'The Gwne' were anymore airbrushed she would be a maniquin, what is that? I am all about finding new and exciting ways of expressing oneself and music can be the most exciting media to do so, within reason, what is going threw 'The Gwen's' mind? Bless her heart, and what is up with her Chia-Pets, I am sure that they are very talented artists (I want to believe that, I used to believe that of 'The Gwen'), but so sure that the most recent regurgitation is my bag personally, where are you days of tragic kingdom?
Not hate, just thinking outloud....
Daniel
Clay Biddingat 12-06-2006
Thank you Sara. Thank you for putting my exact thoughts on the web in such a public manner. Stefani's latest album is pure trash. I listened to the album preview online in hopes that there was a glimmer of the old Gwen somewhere out there. I used to love and respect her style and ability to stand out creativly in such a competetive industry. Now however, she's bought into the overly hyped, rediculously produced, over-indulgent sampling tendancies of many of today's "pop artists." Seriously, when is sampling from "The Sound Of Music" ever going to be a good idea? Gwen, darling, if you need attention you don't have to buy into that whole "There's no such thing as bad publicity." We know she has the talent and style to make good music that actually has a melody and grabs attention without SCREAMING for it. Frankly, if Stefani sticks with her current style I'm prone to ignore her garish attempts at staying in the spotlight and devote my fandom to someone who's willing to work to their full potential as an artist rather than an icon of commercialism.
Bruce Muffinsat 12-06-2006
come back to us gwen stefani hare krishna beauregard
Gavin Rossdaleat 12-06-2006
That's my baby's mamma you're talking about!!!!
Michelle Taylorat 12-06-2006
I'm a fan of sound of music, and I personally think Gwen Stefani was very creative with this song. People don't appreciate all types of music, and maybe this is what Gwen wants to do right now. I'm a music teacher, and enjoy all types of music, and will continue to support Gwen. I will admit...I don't the whole harijuku thing, but I do support Gwen, and I say stop hatin on the young folks. And Sara is stupid for even attempting do dance or do any type of dance to the public...ROTFLMAO!!!!! What a moron...but like everyone else is saying..what do you expect froma lilly lilly lilly white girl names Sara who puts out bogus ass blog videos for a living. And yes I'm black... and I dare you (readers) to say something even remotely along the lines of racist so I can put you in the same category as Michael Richards...but anyways, sorry to rant, but I do support Gwen...but not the damn harijuku girls. leave them in Japan.
Cassandraat 12-06-2006
Well for me Gwen is fabulous! Let's all appluad the brilliant music that she made with No Doubt and even more appluad what she has done solo! This is a gril that srarted Punk, moved to the alternative world and now she is conquering Pop. This woman really doesn't know what she is talking about. Gwen's new style of music is for the people that love to go out to a cluband dance to her amazing tunes or for the Fashion lover, the Harijuku girls that she has loved and brought on her tours a fashion icons! Gwen is bringing music with fashion and she is doing a great job! She is making musie for you to move to and the yoddeling makes you wand to get crazier! Rock On Gwen! I paid to see you with No Doubt and i would pay double or triple to see you with your girls on stage!
thewaymouthat 12-06-2006
Sara - What I like the most about your letter? U react to hearing the new single "Wind It Up," by telling Stef that she should "wind it the F down." Clever girl. & your interpretive dance to "Don't Speak" is sweet, sexy (I'm digging on the black specs & blouse), & finally divinely hilarious. I'd just rather see U swing & sway to a better song ("-Blasphemy!" -I know.), say off her new album, "Early Winter."
What I like least? U claim that Gwen's making Fergie look legit. Now I got nothing against that girl's humps, but Sara that's reaching way below the belt. Then U tell the great G to go smack herself in the face? Ouch. Where's the Sex Pistols when U need them? "Right. Here we go now: a sociology lecture w/a bit of psychology, a bit of [misogyny], a bit of fuckology... No fun right, no fun my babe, no fun..."
& so here we go now Sara w/my OPEN MySpace Letter sent to Gwen only yesterday morning...)
Subject: Just picked up The Sweet Escape, 1st 1 out of the box (...& str8 onto my player & into my heart)
Dear Gwen,
Been listening to The Sweet Escape near non-stop since last Tues 11/28, on AOL's free peek all week.
The album title says it all. Been having a ball w/the non-stop jump pop (Now That You Got It and Breakin' Up get me started) & been feeling it on the still raining, still dreaming ballads (Early Winter and You Started It bowl my heart over).
I'm so excited to see U on SNL this wknd -- it blowed up real good last time.
No Doubt is no slouch but I prefer your solo work -- loved What You Waiting For -- & now I've been spreading the word all week that this album is you rocking at your peak & is one hot kiss not to missed.
I have signed up for your mailing list, put in a MS friend request & have a banner for Sweet Escape on my profile page.
OK. They're telling me I need to "wind it up..." & let U get back to sugar-smacking up your "wonderful life." Thanks for bringing a rad reason to be cheerful into mine.
Love,
Mike Burns has left the building on fire 4 U...
Cameronat 12-08-2006
You all are just now realizing that Gwen is putting out crap some idiots call music???? She used to make fairly decent pop/alt music but anyone who likes that Holla Back Girl crap has no taste whatsoever. Yea Gwen you're not black and even if you were the new music would still suck!!
Amandaat 12-08-2006
...I ended with Gwen when she took notion to start spelling Bananas right in the middle of an already perfectly crappy song.
LELAMat 12-08-2006
I LOVE GWEN!!! SHE IS GREAT, BUT I AGREE SHE HAS COMPLETELY LOST IT...