"New" is a song by American rock band No Doubt, written by band members Gwen Stefani and Tom Dumont for the Go soundtrack (1999).[4] It was later included on No Doubt's fourth studio album Return of Saturn (2000).[5] It's the first single as a quartet, after the departure of original keyboardist Eric Stefani in 1994. The song is available as a downloadable track for the music video game series Rock Band[6] and Guitar Hero.[7] The song was a complete departure from the band's previous singles, switching from a ska punk-influenced sound to more new wave-influenced sound.[8]: 181 

"New"
Single by No Doubt
from the album Return of Saturn and Music from the Motion Picture Go
ReleasedMay 31, 1999 (1999-05-31)[1]
RecordedJanuary 1999
Genre
Length
  • 4:16 (single version)
  • 4:27 (album version)
LabelInterscope
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
No Doubt singles chronology
"Hey You!"
(1998)
"New"
(1999)
"Ex-Girlfriend"
(2000)

Background edit

The song was produced by ex-Talking Heads member Jerry Harrison in a one-time recording session in January 1999.[8]: 181  Guitar pedals and effects are used to distort the sound of Adrian Young's drums.[9] As for the guitar, Dumont's performance has been stated as greatly influenced by Devo, further contributing to the track's new wave feel.[8]: 186 

The song was the first song to be recorded by No Doubt as a four-piece after original keyboardist Eric Stefani's departure in 1994 before promotion for Tragic Kingdom began.

Originally the song was intended to be a non-album single, but because of the success of the single in the Modern Rock Tracks, it was later included in their fourth album Return of Saturn.[citation needed]

Chart performance edit

The song peaked at number seven on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.[10] The single reached number thirty on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the band's fourth top-40 British single.[11]

Music video edit

 
Kanal's character (right) helps that of Stefani (left) get into a rave.

In the song's music video, which was directed by Jake Scott, each band member plays a character going to a rave with Tony Kanal wearing a sherwani.[12] The video also debuted Stefani's new glam rock-influenced look, although in this video she still retains her platinum blonde hair but with violet highlights. She would dye her hair pink the following year to promote Return of Saturn.

The video won the award for the Most Stylish Video at the 1999 VH1/Vogue Fashion Awards. Joanne Gair worked with Stefani on her make-up.[13]

Track listings edit

American 12-inch vinyl single

  1. "New" (New Doubt Club Mix) – 6:18
  2. "New" (New & Approved Remix (Extended Edit)) – 6:20

German single

  1. "New" (Single Version) - 4:15
  2. New & Approved Remix - 5:40

German maxi single

  1. "New" (Single Version) - 4:15
  2. New & Approved Remix - 5:40
  3. New & Approved Remix (Extended Edit) – 6:20
  4. New Doubt Club Mix - 6:18

Australian CD maxi single

  1. "New" (Single Version) - 4:15
  1. "New" (New & Approved Remix) – 5:40
  2. "New" (New & Approved Remix (Extended Version)) – 6:20
  3. "New" (New Doubt Club Mix) – 6:18
  • Note: The disc lists only the album version, the sleeve lists only remixes as tracks 1-3.

British CD single

  1. "New" (Single Version) - 4:15
  2. New & Approved Remix (Extended Edit) – 6:20
  3. New & Approved Remix - 5:40
  • Note: The disc incorrectly lists track 2 as (New Doubt Club Mix)

Charts edit

References edit

  1. ^ "New Releases: For Week Starting 31 May, 1999" (PDF). Music Week. May 29, 1999. p. 25. Retrieved July 19, 2021.
  2. ^ Brian Galindo, Alex Naidus & Ryan Creed (November 5, 2023). "37 Alt Rock Songs You Haven't Thought About Since The Late '90s". BuzzFeed. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
  3. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "The Singles 1992–2003 – No Doubt". AllMusic. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  4. ^ "No Doubt Song Set For "Go" Flick". MTV News. February 2, 1999. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  5. ^ Hay, Carla (March 11, 2000). "No Doubt Returns with 'Saturn'". Billboard. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  6. ^ Bozon, Mark (May 12, 2012). "More Rock Band on Wii". IGN. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  7. ^ "Top Artists Allow Fans To Fill Their Stockings With Guitar Hero and Band Hero DLC". IGN. November 30, 2009. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  8. ^ a b c Apter, Jeff (December 9, 2009). Gwen Stefani and No Doubt: Simple Kind of Life. Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-0-85712-048-9.
  9. ^ Montoya, Paris; Lanham, Tom (2003). The Singles 1992–2003 ("New" liner notes). No Doubt. Polydor Records. 9861382.
  10. ^ a b "No Doubt Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved May 28, 2016.
  11. ^ a b "No Doubt: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  12. ^ "No Doubt Cruises Rave Scene For New Video". MTV News. January 28, 1999. Archived from the original on August 3, 2009. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  13. ^ Tannen, Mary (May 30, 1999). "Style; The Painted Bird". New York Times. Retrieved February 19, 2008.
  14. ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 204.
  15. ^ "Tipparade-lijst van week 27, 1999" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  16. ^ "No Doubt – New" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved May 28, 2016.
  17. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  18. ^ "No Doubt Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 28, 2016.
  19. ^ "1999 The Year in Music: Hot Modern Rock Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 52. December 25, 1999. p. YE-90.