The exes.
We’ve all had them, some more than others.
They are a part of our emotional and social history, from which we cannot escape.
There are those who broke your heart, and whose hearts you have broken.
Some you thought were meant to be your lifelong partner, and others who were nothing more than just a fling.
Years after the split, you’d wonder why you had been so foolish to be on the receiving end of their antics, just because you clung on to the hope that they were meant to be yours for life. Other times, you regret doing the wilful things that you did, all because you took their affections for granted.
Gwen Stefani’s Cool
Okay, there’s a happy ending to Gwen Stefani’s song, taken from her solo album Love.Angel.Music.Baby. It’s apparently written with Tony Kanal, her No Doubt bandmate and former love, in mind and what happens is, of course, that they remain close friends even after their acrimonious split (remember Don’t Speak?).
Cool has a nice jangly feel to it. It starts off with an ’80s discoesque synth but still manages to retain a wistful timbre to it. In a way, I enjoy this song more than, say, the popular earwax Hollaback Girl, because it shows off the introspective and quiet side to Gwen Stefani.
We used to think it was impossible
Now you call me by my new last name
Memories seem like so long ago
Time always kills the pain
Stars’ Your Ex-Lover is Dead
This morbidly-titled song starts off with a voiceover saying “When there is nothing left to burn, you have to set yourself on fire”, followed by lush strings.
Weird? Angsty? A la fellow Canadian Alanis Morisette’s You Oughta Know?
Hardly.
Don’t be fooled by the title, there is nothing violent about this song, which is taken from Stars’ third album Set Yourself on Fire. Unlike Hollaback Girl Gwen, this relationship did not end well and the parties involved probably never wanted to speak to each other ever again.
Two ex-lovers meet again after a long while. The chance meeting caused them both to reflect upon the failed relationship. In the end, there is no regret but a sense of determination and defiance, stemming from the knowledge that they had given their all in the relationship and had nothing to be ashamed of. And when they repeat the mantra “live through this and you won’t look back” in a pseudo whisper, you could almost visualise the pain and the chaos that they had to live through after the breakup.
Stars is a little-known group here, which is a pity. Their songs are rich, quirky and poignant, while never losing their listenability. Hurray to The O.C, my music bible, for featuring this song in one of the episodes.
There’s one thing I want to say, so I’ll be brave
You were what I wanted
I gave what I gave
I’m not sorry I met you
I’m not sorry it’s over
I’m not sorry there’s nothing to say
Bravo!
[Let's play tag! Gwen Stefani, L.A.M.B, Stars, The O.C]
