Ex-Girlfriend by No Doubt

Gwen Stefani and Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale were determined to keep their relationship out of the media spotlight. They didn’t succeed, and this song was part of the reason: While not explicitly about her new guy, this song refers to Stefani’s last breakup (with bandmate Tony Kanal) and what she doesn’t want to go through again. (Fear not, other songs on the album were more positive about the new couplehood).

In any case, the song continued No Doubt’s turn away from punk-ska to a lusher New Wave sound. And Gwen didn’t have to be an ex-girlfriend after all; she and Rossdale stayed together and currently have two children.

The co-producer of “Ex-Girlfriend” is Jerry Harrison, a Harvard graduate and former member of Talking Heads.

Make sure you alternate pick the guitar solo. It’s not too hard on the fingering hand, but the crowd meter will take a big hit if you try to strum your way through it. Don’t worry if you slip, the second half of the solo should save you from failure.

On drums, the verses have 16th-note strings which can get tiring on the right hand, but this eases up during the chorus. The bridge has an off-beat snare/hi-hat pattern that makes your hands alternate slowly, but awkwardly between yellow and red. Work on double strokes with the right hand to get more comfortable with this pattern.

On vocals, the third chorus features a less-known vocal part that you won’t automatically kick into. Don’t worry, because the note tubes are slow and straightforward. Might as well learn the lyrics so you don’t sound too silly!

Plotting the 2009 comeback.