Just A Girl (Song)

"Just a Girl" is a song by American band No Doubt for their third studio album, *Tragic Kingdom* (1995). Released as the record's lead single in the United States on September 21, 1995, it was written by Gwen Stefani and Tom Dumont, and produced by Matthew Wilder. It has also made an appearance on their 2003 greatest hits album, *The Singles 1992–2003*. Lyrically, "Just a Girl" is about Stefani's perspective of life as a woman and her struggles with having strict parents. "Just a Girl" was the first song Stefani wrote without the assistance of her brother Eric.

"Just a Girl" received positive reviews from music critics, who commended the feminist lyrics and Stefani's vocals. The single is typically regarded as being the breakthrough that popularized No Doubt. "Just a Girl" became No Doubt's first charting single in the United States, peaking at number 23 on the *Billboard* Hot 100 and entering the Alternative Songs, Hot Rock Songs, and Mainstream Top 40 component charts. It also reached the top ten in several other countries, including Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, Scotland, and the United Kingdom.

An accompanying music video was directed by Mark Kohr and features Stefani singing in a clean and organized restroom while the male members play their instruments in a dirty and unkept one. Separated by a wall, the men eventually climb over into the ladies' restroom and begin dancing. Stefani's attire in the music video for "Just a Girl" was a popular talking point for critics. No Doubt, and Stefani individually, has performed the song in a number of live appearances, including at the group's first concert series Tragic Kingdom World Tour (1995–1997), during the middle portion of the 2002 Rock Steady Tour, and as part of the encore during the 2016 This Is What the Truth Feels Like Tour. Stefani named her 2018–2020 concert residency in Las Vegas after the single. It has also been covered and sampled in other works by several musicians.

## Lyrics

* Take this pink ribbon off my eyes
* I'm exposed and it's no big surprise
* Don't you think I know exactly where I stand?
* This world is forcing me to hold your hand
* 'Cause I'm just a girl, oh, little old me
* Well, don't let me out of your sight
* Oh, I'm just a girl, all pretty and petite
* So don't let me have any rights
* Oh, I've had it up to here
* The moment that I step outside
* So many reasons for me to run and hide
* I can't do the little things I hold so dear
* 'Cause it's all those little things that I fear
* 'Cause I'm just a girl, I'd rather not be
* 'Cause they won't let me drive late at night
* Oh, I'm just a girl, guess I'm some kind of freak
* 'Cause they all sit and stare with their eyes
* Oh, I'm just a girl, take a good look at me
* Just your typical prototype
* Oh, I've had it up to here
* Oh, am I making myself clear?
* I'm just a girl
* I'm just a girl in the world
* That's all that you'll let me be
* Oh, I'm just a girl, living in captivity
* Your rule of thumb makes me worrisome
* Oh, I'm just a girl, what's my destiny?
* What I've succumbed to is making me numb
* Oh, I'm just a girl, my apologies
* What I've become is so burdensome
* Oh, I'm just a girl, lucky me
* Twiddle-dum, there's no comparison
* Oh, I've had it up to
* Oh, I've had it up to
* Oh, I've had it up to here