Gwen Stefani takes aim at ‘semi-psychotic’ ex in blistering new song: ‘You gaslit my world’

Stefani released “Somebody Else’s” as a scathing takedown of an unnamed ex-lover from her new album, “Bouquet.”

Gwen Stefani ain’t no hollaback girl, but payback is another story.

The pop icon released Friday a blistering preview of her upcoming album Bouquet, with the album’s second single “Somebody Else’s” arriving as a scathing takedown of an unnamed ex-lover.

Throughout the New Wave-soft rock hybrid tune, the 54-year-old slams her former flame as a “narcissistic, semi-psychotic” nuisance, and details how he “manipulated” her heart — enough so that the unidentified party is now “dead to me” in the aftermath.

“You gaslit my world, it was burning,” she sings. “Had to leave before it stopped turning. So happy I could cry, ’cause you’re not mine.”

Gwen Stefani of No Doubt performs at the Coachella Stage at Empire Polo Club on April 20, 2024 in Indio, California.

Gwen Stefani.Frazer Harrison/Getty

Earlier in the song, she questions her place in a prior relationship, singing, “I found the real thing, you don’t compare and I don’t care,” a clear nod to her current marriage to fellow singer-songwriter Blake Shelton.

“You’re somebody else’s and it doesn’t even break my heart, you’re somebody else’s and I pray for them wherever they are,” Stefani expresses in the chorus. “Look at me blossom, you’re somebody else’s problem.”

Though Stefani doesn’t explicitly name anyone in the track’s lyrics, fans will naturally connect the song to her highly publicized former relationships, particularly her No Doubt bandmate Tony Kanal or Gavin Rossdale, the latter of whom she married in 2002 and had three children with, before the couple divorced in 2015. That breakup also inspired portions of Stefani’s 2016 album This Is What the Truth Feels Like, which became her first solo studio set to reach No. 1 in the United States upon its release after spawning singles “Used to Love You” and “Misery.”

Gwen Stefani admits her divorce forced her into the studio

In a recent interview with Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes’ Amy & T.J. podcast, the Bush band leader opened up about his divorce from Stefani and its lasting impact on his family.

“I feel bad for my kids, that’s it,” Rossdale said on the episode. “That would be the most profound thing, of like, I wish I could have just figured out a way to not have that in their lives.” Reflecting on his own upbringing and how it influenced his music, he added, “It wasn’t fun for me to be from a broken home. I think in a way it gave me a career so I don’t mind, because I turned it around into sort of an interesting career path, but it can be quite debilitating for kids… The overriding thing is like, you don’t want to let your kids down.”

Bouquet is out Nov. 15, nearly 20 years to the day after the release of her debut solo album Love. Angel. Music. Baby‘s 2004 release. Listen to “Somebody Else’s” above.