B-SIDES:
Big Distraction
Written on acoustic গিটার দ্বারা Tom and Gwen while sitting on the floor of the band’s rented Hollywood Hills house. Adrian was the most bummed when this one didn’t make the cut - his mixing of a 6/8 time signature with the verse’s 4/4 forbidden beat was a major উৎস of pride.
Leftovers
Originally written during soundcheck jams on tour, it was the first song composed after the Tragic Kingdom sessions. Its original double time tempo never properly served the track and the song was almost scrapped. However, a last মিনিট reprieve from Tony saved it. He convinced the band to try a half time reggae beat and the song found its mark. It now features one of the band’s most solid reggae grooves.
Under Construction
Towards the end of the Return Of Saturn লেখা sessions, the band were in a rush to create some আরো high tempo material and quickly penned this tune. The lyrics took a while longer to come and despite hurried attempts to complete the song, Gwen feels it never quite reached its potential.
Beauty Contest
Gwen wrote the lyrics during a period of reassessment she experienced after the success of Tragic Kingdom. The song finds her fighting a losing battle against the modern girl’s required obsession with vanity. It also marks an early experimentation with sequencing and programming. Gwen’s niece Madeline delivers the song’s final line.
Full Circle
Coincidences in Gwen’s life had been piling up and she found herself compelled to pull them together as this song took shape. Adrian’s direct name check, while a strange moment for him, was a classic example of the lyrical honesty which he appreciates in Gwen.
Cellophane Boy
Written just after the Tragic Kingdom tour, this song incorporates an odd key change and a non-traditional structure. Loved দ্বারা the band, it was recorded as a B-Side following the principal Return Of Saturn recording sessions.
RARITIES:
Everything In Time (Los Angeles)
One of Gwen’s few লেখা attempts with brother Eric Stefani after his departure from the band, it came together in an instant. Ultimately, the song never fit in with the newer material and “Too Late” took its place on Saturn. “A hard one to let go” is the unanimous feeling about this one. A সেকেন্ড attempt to record the song was made during the recording of Rock Steady.
You’re So Foxy
First thought to be a potential single, it is a spinning disco rock hybrid bearing clear Blondie influences and was originally titled “Agony and Ecstasy.” In retrospect, Gwen feels the recording tempo may have been too fast for the accompanying vocal melody.
Panic
A meditation on separation anxiety written right after the release of “Just A Girl”. Tom & Gwen worked on and off for months on tour in an attempt to shape its seemingly unwieldy parts years before it was recorded.
New Friend feat. Buccaneer
In keeping with the party vibe of the Jamaica sessions for Rock Steady, Tom and Adrian headed to a nearby roadside shack featuring little আরো than ক্যান্ডি চকোলেট bars, jerk chicken and a steady supply of রাম and coke. Returning to the studio somewhat inebriated, they joined Gwen and Tony to blast out the song’s aggressive rock ending which, in time, grew worthy of its own song - Rock Steady’s “In My Head.” “New Friend” joined “Start The Fire” as the two dancehall fueled tracks vying for the same spot on the album. In the end, it was a toss up and the latter won out.
Everything In Time (London)
Working off the পূর্ববর্তি Los Angeles version, producers Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley were প্রদত্ত free reign to reconstruct the song with Gwen during an early Rock Steady session in London. In the passage of time, Gwen’s lyric developed a আরো positive tone. For a special touch, Madness’ Mike Barson was brought in to contribute his পিয়ানো skills. As Rock Steady took form, it was painfully clear that the track again did not fit in and was subsequently shelved.
Sailin’ On
Original front man John Spence was greatly influenced দ্বারা Bad Brains and this song became one of No Doubt’s first live covers. It has been performed in various forms over the years. When asked to contribute a track to a benefit album for the Surfrider Foundation, it seemed a natural fit. After preparing two versions, the original was dropped in favor of this আরো dubbed-out mix.
Oi To The World
No Doubt were asked to contribute a track to a Special Olympics বড়দিন themed benefit album but they couldn’t settle on a traditional song to cover. At the time, they were touring in support of Tragic Kingdom with The Vandals who played their song “Oi To The World” every night. Adrian suggested the song for the album and it was recorded on an off দিন in Nashville, Tennessee with Warren Fitzgerald of The Vandals co-producing alongside the band.
I Throw My Toys Around feat. Elvis Costello
Written specially for the Rugrats Movie, Elvis Costello sent his beautiful acoustic demo to the band thinking they could best fulfill his vision. The band jumped at the chance, rehearsed for a দিন and hit the studio with Costello producing. Many consider Costello to be the first producer to truly capture the full warmth and dynamic of Gwen’s voice. Two facing microphones were set up to capture her lead and Costello’s backing vocals. It was recorded in just a couple of takes. In retrospect, Gwen wishes the experience didn’t go দ্বারা so fast and chides herself for not deliberately flubbing her lines.
REMIXES:
New & Approved (New remix)
The band were approached দ্বারা the producers of the Go soundtrack to create a remix of “New” to promote the album. Producer Philip Steir, who had already remixed another song for the soundtrack, was introduced to the band and helmed the remix. Adrian traveled to San Francisco to specially re-record his drum parts. Steir later lent his many talents to Rock Steady’s “Hey Baby.”
A Real প্রণয় Survives (Rock Steady remix) feat. Ms. Dynamite / A Rock Steady Vibe (Rock Steady remix) feat. Sweetie Irie
Created during Rock Steady’s লন্ডন sessions দ্বারা producer Nellee Hooper, these remixes were meant to be part of a larger plan. Utilizing elements of the original “Rock Steady” with the added free-styling of Ms. Dynamite and Sweetie Irie, they were to be unifying interludes between the album’s songs. The tracks became full remixes as that plan fell দ্বারা the way side.
