Gwen Stefani and Pharrell are not strangers. They've collaborated on a number of songs — including "Yummy" off Stefani's second solo album, The Sweet Escape — and are currently plopped next to one another as judges on The Voice.
Most recently, Gwen enlisted P for "Spark The Fire," a new track that sounds like a throwback for the modern age. "For me, it’s all about being positive," Stefani told Refinery29. "The line ‘Get off my cloud’ is me saying I’m going be up here, I’m on a high, and don’t try to bring me down."
The video features a healthy mix of Pharrell's cartoon aesthetic and Stefani's Harajuku Lovers perfume dolls. She surrounds herself with a slew of custom emoji that illustrate the lyrics in a Pop-Up Video-like fashion. "I thought emoji would be the best way to [add personality]," she explained.
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But, what are those emoji really saying? Pharrell said "Spark The Fire" is a feminist anthem. It makes perfect sense that he picks up on pro-women themes with lyrics like "It is time for the girl's species to grow" and talk of balancing "the scales." But, Stefani doesn't see it that way.
"It’s always great when a song can have more than one meaning," she said, "but I don't look at it the same way he does." Instead, Stefani sees the track as something incredibly personal — a reflection of where she is right now. She believes the song is all about energy and pulling inspiration from each and every individual's own unique vibe.
However you see it, whether as a song of unity or just a solid pop track, one thing's for sure: Gwen Stefani's still bringing the girl power — only this time, it's served with a side of emoji.
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