Underneath It All

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2002 single by No Doubt

title: "Underneath It All" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["2000s-ballads", "2001-songs", "2002-singles", "2003-singles", "interscope-records-singles", "lady-saw-songs", "music-videos-directed-by-sophie-muller", "no-doubt-songs", "pop-ballads", "reggae-fusion-songs", "song-recordings-produced-by-sly-&-robbie", "songs-written-by-dave-stewart-(eurythmics)", "songs-written-by-gwen-stefani"] description: "2002 single by No Doubt" topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underneath_It_All" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary 2002 single by No Doubt ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox song"]

FieldValue
nameUnderneath It All
coverUnderneath_it_all.jpg
typesingle
artistNo Doubt featuring Lady Saw
albumRock Steady
released
* One Pop (Kingston, Jamaica){{cite AV media notestitle
*Reggae<ref name"diffuser"
*dancehall<ref name"popmatters"/
labelInterscope
chronologyNo Doubt
prev_titleHella Good
prev_year2002
next_titleRunning
next_year2003
misc
::

| name = Underneath It All | cover = Underneath_it_all.jpg | alt = | type = single | artist = No Doubt featuring Lady Saw | album = Rock Steady | released = | recorded = | studio =

Background and writing

During a visit to her then-boyfriend Gavin Rossdale in London, Gwen Stefani and David Stewart used backward string samples to write the song in only ten minutes. Guitarist Tom Dumont commented that Stewart's experience helped them keep the song simple because he "would have way overthought those chord changes." When the band was working on the album Rock Steady in Jamaica, producers Sly and Robbie called Lady Saw to have her contribute a guest toast. After listening to the song, Lady Saw wrote and recorded her part on the spot.

Music and structure

A love song composed in the key of E major, the track is written in common time and moves slowly at 69 beats per minute. Stefani avoids the heavy vocal vibrato that she often uses. Her vocal range spans under an octave and a half during the song, from F#3 to B4. The song describes Stefani's relationship with Rossdale, and the line "You're really lovely underneath it all" comes from a journal entry that Stefani made after spending a day in the park with him.

The song opens with a sample from Bob Clarke's Sunday radio show on IRIE FM, and a recording of Rossdale stating "You don't have to forget, just remember this Sunday, alright?" The verses use a simple I-vi chord progression, alternating between a first inversion E major chord and a second inversion C♯ minor chord, played on the off-beats and switch to a IV-iii progression. Each verse is followed by the chorus, which uses a I-IV-V-IV progression. After the bridge, Lady Saw performs her toast. Stefani then sings the chorus twice, and Clarke closes the song after Stefani repeats the line "Mm mm mm underneath it all" four times.

An alternative version of "Underneath It All" with a more pop-centric structure was released to pop radio stations, omitting Lady Saw's verse.

Critical reception

"Underneath It All" received mixed reviews from contemporary music critics. Rolling Stone found its ska sound and Stefani's questioning whether or not Rossdale is her soulmate tired. LAUNCHcast agreed the beat was one "that Sly & Robbie can do in their sleep" but added that the song "keeps its modern edge thanks to Lady Saw's cooling rap." Kitty Empire writing in NME also gave Lady Saw's toast a positive review, stating that it "does an excellent job of sexing up all the sugar." Stylus Magazine was pleased with Stefani's performance on the song, stating that "she lets her voice ride gently on top of the melody, pushed along by the gentle steel drums in the background." PopMatters commented that "No Doubt isn't afraid of working with new ideas" but that the dancehall of "Underneath It All" was unsuccessful and sloppy. In its review of The Singles 1992-2003, OMH Media described the song as "an embarrassingly self-conscious reggae pastiche, unimproved by a guest rap from Jamaican dancehall queen Lady Saw."

On their end-of-year list, The Village Voice named the song as one of the Singles of the Year for 2002.

Chart performance

"Underneath It All" peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks, becoming No Doubt's highest charting US single; "Don't Speak" had not been allowed onto the Hot 100 as it did not have a commercial single release. It was successful in mainstream music, topping the Top 40 Mainstream and reaching number two on the Top 40 Tracks. The single was also successful in the adult contemporary radio market, reaching number two on the Adult Top 40 chart with a 2004 re-appearance atop the Top 40 Adult Recurrents and peaking at number 27 on the Adult Contemporary chart. It had some crossover success on urban contemporary stations, reaching the top 40 on the Rhythmic Top 40 chart. The single fared poorer on the Canadian Singles Chart, on which it peaked at number 35.

"Underneath It All" debuted at number 18 on the UK Singles chart but was unable to reach a higher position. It was unsuccessful across mainland Europe, only reaching the top 40 in Austria and Sweden. On the ARIA Charts, the single peaked at number 28 and remained on the chart for seven weeks. In New Zealand, the single peaked at number eight for two consecutive weeks and stayed on the chart for over four months.

Music video

The accompanying music video for the song, directed by Sophie Muller and directing collaborative Logan, opens with a sequence of Stefani, as shown on the cover of the single, removing several pieces of clothing and later lying on a bed. After a scene with her in front of a white heart with roses, bassist Tony Kanal and drummer Adrian Young play basketball while Stefani stands against the wall. Stefani is then shown against a sparkling sky, followed by a scene of the whole band bicycling during Lady Saw's toast. The video closes with a scene of Stefani jumping on a bed in white undergarments and without makeup.

Muller wanted to add more sexual themes to the look of the video to contrast with the innocence of the song's lyrics. The original idea for the video was to show Stefani with heavy makeup "really over done like a stripper" and have her remove her clothing throughout the video. Muller found that this complicated the video too much, so each sequence shows Stefani with progressively less makeup instead. Muller decided to use a color scheme with bright colors such as orange, lime green and pink, and the contrast was increased using Symphony in post-production. The bicycling scene was to originally show footage that the band shot while recording in Jamaica since Stefani wanted to include a Jamaican theme. Instead, the scene was created by filming the individual band members on a twelve-foot turntable in front of a bluescreen. Tracks were used to shoot two members riding next to each other and Logan used computer-generated imagery to show the entire band bicycling in Jamaica.

The video was successful on video channels. It debuted on MTV's Total Request Live October 7, 2002, at number seven. It reached number five on the countdown and was on the program for twenty-four days. "Underneath It All" peaked at number two on MuchMusic's Countdown in September 2002. The video received nominations for Best Pop Video and Best Cinematography at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards, but lost to Justin Timberlake's "Cry Me a River" and Johnny Cash's cover of "Hurt" respectively.

Track listing and formats

CD maxi-single

  1. "Underneath It All" featuring Lady Saw (album version) – 5:03
  2. "Underneath It All" (Radio 1Live acoustic version) – 3:44
  3. "Just a Girl" (Radio 1Live acoustic version) – 3:30
  4. "Underneath It All" (video) – 5:03

2-track CD single

  1. "Underneath It All" featuring Lady Saw (album version) – 5:03
  2. "Underneath It All" (Radio 1Live acoustic version) – 3:44

Personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

::data[format=table title="Weekly chart performance for "Underneath It All""] | Chart (2002–2004) | Peak position | Canada (Nielsen SoundScan) | Canada CHR (Nielsen BDS) | Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) | Romania (Romanian Top 100) | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | 34 | | | | | | | 3 | | | | | | | 46 | | | | | | | 27 | | | | | | ::

Year-end charts

::data[format=table title="2002 year-end chart performance for "Underneath It All""]

Chart (2002)PositionUS Billboard Hot 100
71
::

::data[format=table title="2003 year-end chart performance for "Underneath It All""]

Chart (2003)PositionUS Billboard Hot 100US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)
59
15
::

Certifications

Release history

::data[format=table title="Release dates and formats for "Underneath It All""]

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.United StatesAustraliaUnited StatesUnited Kingdom
July 22, 2002Contemporary hit radioInterscope
September 2, 2002CD
September 23, 2002Hot adult contemporary radio
September 30, 2002
::

References

References

  1. (2001). "Rock Steady". Interscope Records.
  2. (December 11, 2013). "12 Years Ago: No Doubt's 'Rock Steady' Album Released". Diffuser FM.
  3. (2003). "BBC - Music - Review of No Doubt Singles 1992 - 2003". BBC UK.
  4. "Music Street Journal - Music News & Reviews". Music Street Journal.
  5. "Underneath It All". Montoya, Paris and Lanham, Tom. ''[[The Singles 1992-2003]]''. [[Interscope Records]]. November 25, 2003.
  6. Edwards, Gavin. [https://web.archive.org/web/20071002100720/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/nodoubt/articles/story/5919655/no_doubt_make_party_music "No Doubt Make Party Music"]. ''[[Rolling Stone]]''. October 16, 2001. Retrieved October 22, 2007.
  7. Butler, Adika. [http://www.whereitzatlive.com/lady_saw.htm "Lady Saw"]. ''Where Itz At''. 2004. Retrieved August 10, 2007. {{webarchive. link. (May 19, 2007)
  8. "Deeper with No Doubt". [[VH1]]. January 24, 2002.
  9. Sanneh, Kelefa. [https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C03E1DF1E3CF935A15753C1A9649C8B63 "'Just a Girl,' Or Wishing To Be More?"]. ''[[The New York Times]]''. October 26, 2002. Retrieved October 28, 2007.
  10. Sheet music for "Underneath It All". [[Hal Leonard Corporation]]. 2001.
  11. Strauss, Neil.[https://web.archive.org/web/20061005124435/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5939747/no_doubts_anniversary_party/ "No Doubt's Anniversary Party"]. ''[[Rolling Stone]]''. January 31, 2002. Retrieved July 14, 2007.
  12. ''Rock Steady'' (liner notes). This same sample closes the song, but proceeds to become slowed down after a few seconds in. [[Interscope Records]]. December 11, 2001.
  13. "No Doubt - Mixtape".
  14. (July 2025). ["No Doubt - Underneath It All (Pop Mix)"](https://www.radiodjpool.com/2003/19482-nodoubt-underneath-it-all-pop-mix }}{{Dead link).
  15. Scheffield, Rob. [https://web.archive.org/web/20071001004143/http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/215088/rock_steady "Rock Steady : No Doubt : Review"]. ''[[Rolling Stone]]'', issue 887. January 2, 2002. Retrieved August 4, 2007.
  16. Oliver, Lisa. [http://uk.launch.yahoo.com/l_reviews_a/23924.html "No Doubt – 'Rock Steady'"]. [[LAUNCHcast]]. February 14, 2002. Retrieved August 4, 2007.
  17. Empire, Kitty. [http://web.nme.com/reviews/no-doubt/6719 "No Doubt : Underneath It All"] {{Webarchive. link. (February 8, 2012 . ''[[NME]]''. September 19, 2002. Retrieved October 28, 2007.)
  18. Delaney, Colleen. [http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/no-doubt/rock-steady.htm "No Doubt – Rock Steady – Review"] {{Webarchive. link. (October 21, 2007 . ''[[Stylus Magazine]]''. September 1, 2003. Retrieved August 4, 2007.)
  19. Miller, Eden. [http://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/23769/nodoubt-rock/ "No Doubt: Rock Steady"]. ''[[PopMatters]]''. December 10, 2001. Retrieved August 4, 2007.
  20. McDonnell, Sara. [http://www.musicomh.com/albums/no-doubt.htm "No Doubt – The Singles 1992–2003"] {{Webarchive. link. (October 17, 2012 . OMH Media. Retrieved October 28, 2007.)
  21. [http://top40-charts.com/songs/full.php?sid=4646&sort=chartid "No Doubt Underneath It All"]. Top40-Charts.com. Retrieved August 14, 2007.
  22. [{{AllMusic
  23. [{{AllMusic
  24. [http://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=No+Doubt+feat%2E+Lady+Saw&titel=Underneath+It+All "No Doubt feat. Lady Saw – Underneath It All"]. Australian-Charts.com. Retrieved August 4, 2007.
  25. [https://charts.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=No+Doubt+feat%2E+Lady+Saw&titel=Underneath+It+All "No Doubt feat. Lady Saw – Underneath It All"]. Charts.org.nz. Retrieved August 4, 2007.
  26. link. (September 28, 2007)
  27. link. (September 28, 2007 . ATRL. Retrieved August 10, 2007.)
  28. link. (September 28, 2007 . ATRL. Retrieved August 10, 2007.)
  29. [http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/2003/mtvvmas.htm "2003 MTV Video Music Awards"]. Rock on the Net. Retrieved August 4, 2007.
  30. (October 4, 2003). "Canadian Digital Song Sales".
  31. "Canadian Top 20 in 2002".
  32. (October 19, 2002). "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles".
  33. "Arhiva romanian top 100 – Editia 45, saptamina 11.11–17.11, 2002". [[Romanian Top 100]].
  34. "Longbored Surfer – 2002".
  35. "Billboard Top 100 – 2003".
  36. (December 27, 2003). "2003 The Year in Music".
  37. (July 19, 2002). "Going for Adds".
  38. (September 2, 2002). "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 2nd September 2002". [[Australian Recording Industry Association.
  39. (September 20, 2002). "Going for Adds".
  40. (September 28, 2002). "New Releases – For Week Starting 30 September 2002: Singles".

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2000s-ballads2001-songs2002-singles2003-singlesinterscope-records-singleslady-saw-songsmusic-videos-directed-by-sophie-mullerno-doubt-songspop-balladsreggae-fusion-songssong-recordings-produced-by-sly-&-robbiesongs-written-by-dave-stewart-(eurythmics)songs-written-by-gwen-stefani