The phrase "Hollaback girl" means a cheerleader who challenges a rival. It is often used in high school. Gwen Stefani's song is about confronting someone who challenges you.
The song is written by Pharrell Williams and Gwen Stefani. They both channeled Campbell's unique attitude for the track. When they finished the song, they jumped around the studio, knowing they had a hit.
The lyrics of the song are about facing someone who is making negative comments about you. In the chorus, Stefani says that she is a leader. She states that she will do whatever it takes to win.
Hollaback Girl has gained popularity in dance music culture. It was featured in the movie Bring It On. As a result, the song earned a number of nominations. One of the best parts of the song is the catchy refrain.
This was Gwen's first single as a solo artist. She initially wanted to make a fun, little dance record. However, her label boss encouraged her to branch out. So she did. Her first solo album was called America's Sweetheart.
"Hollaback Girl" became one of the biggest songs of the year. It peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and sold over a million digital downloads. During the first week, the song sold 309,000 copies. It was also nominated for Record of the Year.
"Hollaback Girl" also won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography. It was nominated for four other awards, including Best Single, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, and Best Pop/Rock Song.