I Still Love You

Nineties and mid 2000s icon Gwen Stefani has returned. Her much talked about new single “Used To Love You” has impacted radio. She's performed it on The Voice. The song harkens back to the ballad form of past solo releases “Cool” and “Early Winter” and “Don't Speak” if you include the iconic No Doubt hit. 

This is the third single from her as yet untitled third studio album. It's a welcome return to form. And, hopefully one that will make strides on radio and turn into a mega hit. Last year she released “Baby Don't Lie” and the amusing if uneventful “Spark The Fire”.

Now Gwen has said of her new single that she's “not making music to make hits”. Bullshit. We all know that is not the truth. If she was making music to just release it we would already have the album. Just like she said we would back in December 2014.

Sales matter and Gwen hasn't had a serviceable hit, since “The Sweet Escape” in 2006. She's an aging pop star. A pop star we adore, but one that is aging none the less. People aren't buying albums the way they used to. We need some convincing.​

I think “Used To Love You” does that. The song is clearly about her failed relationship with Gavin Rossdale. That right there gives it peak interest value. People want to know about that. The fact that it's catchy as fuck doesn't hurt anything either.

Now Gavin was the frontman of a nineties band Bush. They had some commercial success. He made his money, but they are hardly iconic. 

Their divorce is messy. It's not messy yet, but it could be. It has the potential. The reason for the split hasn't been revealed. Yet. Which, is why this song is such an interesting piece of art for us to look at. We know it's about Gavin. Now we just got to put it together between the music notes.

Interesting enough it's been thrown around that her and fellow Voice host Blake Shelton have been very close lately. He is also going through a divorce to Miranda Lambert. I don't think this is the best decision on Gwen's part. They should both be grieving over their marriages. Not having hot middle aged sex. In my humble homosexual opinion. 

I understand. It's a fling, but maybe they could wait until the papers are signed. Just out of respect for their partners. Blake has some rugged country boy charm. But, when he says “sweet iced tea” it sounds like “sweet assed tea” and that's not sexy.

Now the music video for this song is moving and low budget. Three minutes of close ups of Gwen's well put together face, crying. Being emotional. It won't win best video at the VMA's, but it's serviceable. 

Buy "Used To Love You"

Her new album has not been given a name yet, but I will keep you updated. From what Gwen's saying we're going to be getting it sooner rather then later.