A Simple Kind of Life

I was recently listening to No Doubt’s “Simple Kind of Life” and Gwen’s lyrics really resonated with me at that moment. I’ve always admired the passion and honesty behind the words she’s penned for many of No Doubt’s famous songs. However, while listening to Return of Saturn on repeat in my bedroom as an angsty preteen, I can’t say I truly understood what Gwen was saying in this song. Now, at 32, I hear her loud and clear...

“Now all those simple things are simply too complicated for my life. 

And how’d I get so faithful to my freedom?

A selfish kind of life. 

When all I ever wanted was the simple things. A simple kind of life.”

I never realized how sad this this song truly was. I have no clear path in life, and the many “simple things” that I thought I needed to feel whole in life are much too complicated for me right now. I’ll continue my growth and exploration in the pursuit of true happiness, and maybe on the way, the “simple things” will find me when I truly need them. I don’t know where I’m going just yet, but that doesn’t mean I’m lost.

What’s funny is judging from the comments on YouTube, I’m not the only one who realized what Gwen was truly saying in these lyrics later on in life. I guess, I’m not alone.