Gwen Stefani's "Just a Girl" is a feminist anthem that speaks to the frustrations that many women face in society. The song addresses societal gender roles, a lack of female power, and male authority. It was released in 1995 as the lead single on No Doubt's debut album Tragic Kingdom.
The music video for Just A Girl was directed by Mark Kohr. It features Gwen Stefani dancing around female attendants in a ladies' restroom.
This video is an ironic statement about feminism and the patriarchy. The song also contains lyrics about "Born in the U.S.A.", which was adopted by Ronald Reagan for his presidential campaign.
"Just a Girl" was an important landmark for No Doubt's rise to the mainstream. The song became their first Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Since then, it has been a feminist anthem that remains relevant today.
It was also the first No Doubt song that reached number one on the US Alternative Songs chart. In addition to being a hit on the charts, the song was also featured in the film Clueless, which was based on a book by Gwen Stefani.
In 1996, the song reached number 38 on the UK chart. After the success of "Don't Speak", Just A Girl was re-released. However, it still managed to reach a number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100.
As a member of the band, Gwen Stefani has been criticized by fans for selling out. Her attire in the music video was one of the most talked about things for critics. During the making of the song, she ended a seven-year relationship with bass player Tony Kanal.