No Doubt “Stand and Deliver” (New Single)
The reunited No Doubt is set to return to TV with an appearance on the show Gossip Girl in May. In the flashback episode (which supposedly introduces a retro-themed spin-off series that will kick off in the fall) the band will perform a cover of Adam and the Ants’ “Stand and Deliver.” Accordingly No Doubt has released the song as their first new single since the band’s 2003 cover of Talk Talk’s “It’s My Life.”
Since the band’s last studio album, 2001′s Rock Steady (the number of times I heard “Hella Good” and “Hey Baby” from the album that year is downright sickening), the attention has primarily been focused on Gwen Stefani and her two multi-platinum solo albums. While rumors of a reunion have been circulating for just about as long as the band has been separated, a spark in getting No Doubt back together might possibly have come from a highly unlikely source: Scott Weiland.
Guitarist Tom Dumont, bassist Tony Kanal and drummer Adrian Young all appeared as studio musicians on Weiland’s second solo album, last year’s “Happy” in Galoshes. Whether or not getting together for those sessions had any impact on the recently announced reunion tour is debatable; whether or not Weiland rubbed off on the band is not, however. The new track, much like most everything Weiland has recorded this decade, is a bit underwhelming.
In all fairness “Stand and Deliver” might not even be a full-fledged single despite it’s release in conjunction with the band’s television spot. Perhaps it’s a little harsh to call the track hollow, but considering the plump sound that Stefani’s been using with her solo work (not to mention the various production roles Dumont and Kanal’s have taken on) it wouldn’t be wrong to suggest that the band’s sound should be a little juicier than it is. As a cover it’s pretty faithful, though it hardly compares to the flair found in the original. Maybe No Doubt should have stuck with their cover of Bad Brains’ “Sailin’ On” for the show… whether or not it fits with the Gossip Girls theme, at least it’d have some sizzle. Looking at things from a positive point of view, it’s the band’s best song they’ve recorded in over half a decade. Then again, it’s the band’s only song they’ve recorded in over half a decade.
It’s amazing-Better than the Adam and the Ants version, of which I was a huge fan. No Doubt just made it a whole lot better.
What makes it better?
Sorry Jared — I was a mega-fan of Adam in the 80′s. I was excited to hear this song had been covered (again — didn’t Sugar Ray do it a few years ago?). I gave the No Doubt version a listen, to be fair, and then watched the above-posted video (thanks Chris!). NO COMPARISON. I like No Doubt, so I was hoping they could knock this one out of the park. Sadly, not this time. . . .
Indeed they did Aim:
I had forgotten about this song… but it’s not nearly as bad as it sounds on paper (screen).
Who in the hell thinks the NO DOUBT version or the Suger Ray Version of ‘Stand and Deliver’ is as good as the Ants is clearly SMOKIN THE CRACK ROCK!
That said, I did find the No Doubt version mildly entertaining and give them BIG UPS for havin the good taste to cover CLASSIc bands like the ants and not some warmed over stuff that we always here from wanna-be-new-wavers.
sO KUDOS to you Gwen (ya know I love ya) and Love live ADAM AND THE ANTS!! The best thing this cover will do is introduce a new generation of folks to one of the baddest new wave bands that ever was!
Yeah BOEEEE!
But no “kudos” to Sugar Ray for their version that’s worth a damn? (Also, no one said either version is as good, actually, in the post I said quite the opposite.)
I totally forgot about Sugar Ray’s version so I went to get my CD of Floored. I now have all 3 versions on my Zune! The Sugar Ray version comes really close to the Ant version. Even though No Doubt is my favorite band, this version sounds a little off. Not sure why but it does.
To say that No Doubt’s S&D even approaches the original is a ridiculous statement. having said that, they did an ok job, but really, this song is one you just leave alone as you can’t beat the original.
Oh wow. It’s what I’d call a ‘serviceable’ cover, in that it’s not totally awful but it’s also totally pointless. Not sure where they were going with this.
Wow, Jared… idiot. The saddest part is that they actually put this out. I can see F-ing around in the studio and coming up with this version, but then flush it. No Doubt has a good sound generally, but now Gwen sounds like someone doing an impression of Gwen. Time to grow vocally girl, the schtick is getting old.
I watched the original version and I just can’t get past the “Boy George Glam Rock” image of Adam and the Ants. I was never a fan of that feminine male rocker voice (if you’re going to sing a song sounding like a women, then let a women sing it, which Gwen does to perfection). It’s like nails on a chalk board to me. Gwen does a much better job singing this song in the tone it should have been sung in.
You can definately hear the 3 guys style of playing in the new cover, but I wish they would have covered this song with a bit more of the original ska touch that No Doubt is known for in the Tragic Kingdom era, instead of trying to stay closer to the original sound.
IDK, maybe it’s because I hate 80′s music, and much prefer to modern day remakes of it, but Adam and the Ants just sound like every other 80′s glam rock band of the times. No Doubt’s version sounds so much different hearing it today with very few other songs sounding like that. (and an FYI, I grew up in the 80′s in case you thought I’m a young brat kid who just hates anything old)
Who the hell does gwen think she is?!?!
Adam’s Version Is 100 times better!
you can NEVER beat the originals!
P’ss Off Gwen!
the sugar ray version is awesome and so is the no doubt one.
and i LOVE adam and the ants!
Must admit, I love the NXD one best. I hope that they do a music video… have they yet?! Thanks for sharing this!
I hadn´t heard the original version, but I quite like it better than the cover. I hope the new album won´t sound like this… I miss No Doubt´s 90s Style, with the ska texture (eventhought they´re saying they´ll redo it…) Anyway, at least it´s a refreshing song while we wait for the new album who knows when…
Ok, love all of these guys. Yes, even Sugar Ray. Well, maybe not Sugar Ray so much since the vocalist, Mark McGrath, was so insanely drunk when I saw them and the performance was less than great. I’ve seen them all play at least once, but I have to say for pure originality, Adam beats them all. I like Sugar Ray’s almost pointless note for note cover, but No Doubt took the edge off of the original Ants version. Maybe a little less pop sheen and a little more raw-edged drumming would have done the trick. When I listen to the Ants’ manic chanting and think back on how great and original the “Kings of The Wild Frontier” album was I can’t help, but want to hear No Doubt “rough it up” and not thinking of pop radio airplay. On the subject of the Ants’ garb, put it this way, that can all be blamed on or credited to Malcolm McLaren who stole Adam’s original band and turned them into Bow Wow Wow of “I Want Candy” fame. Adam took Malcolm’s buccaneer advice and it payed off very well. If you don’t like the glam look of Adam and The Ants from this era, which Adam hung on to for the next several years, check out his style during the “Dirk Wears White Socks” era. Much more punk, a lot less glam, and a lot more leather. On the subject of No Doubt, can I have my old band back?
Don’t bash me, but i think No Doubt’s version is better. I just love Gwen’s voice in this song. It fits to my ears better than the original. Sorry, it’s my own opinion, different taste. so leave the bash out.
“Sorry Jared — I was a mega-fan of Adam in the 80’s. I was excited to hear this song had been covered (again — didn’t Sugar Ray do it a few years ago?). I gave the No Doubt version a listen, to be fair, and then watched the above-posted video (thanks Chris!). NO COMPARISON. I like No Doubt, so I was hoping they could knock this one out of the park. Sadly, not this time. . . .”
I, too, gave it a listen, but I have to say I listened with skepticism. I love the original and I also love Sugar Ray’s 1997 version from their Floored CD. I’m a huge No Doubt fan and for me to be disappointed in something they’ve done is a first. I love when they covered “It’s My Life” by Talk Talk. That was genius. Their version of “Stand & Deliver” may be original in its approach, but I think they could have chosen another song that they could have done much, much better. Nice try, but they missed the mark.
Sounds like karaoke. Terrible. They should have used some imagination and written some new material rather than murdering a classic. Shameful.
i think it’s good, but it’s not actually their ‘new single’ they just recorded it for fun. so chill out guys.
First of all, Eric is a dummy. Glam rock is from the 70′s, not the 80′s. The term you meant to use was New Wave. Ok, end of history lesson. What makes Adam’s version the best is that it is the ORIGINAL. Something very rare these days. Also, the drumming on the original cannot be matched in either version, particular No Doubt’s version.
Keep it w/ Adam. Disappointing version after such a great job w/ “It’s My Life”. Only hardcore ND fans would think it’s better.
The Adam and the Ants is a hilarious band. I mean the video is the funniest thing I have ever seen. I don’t mean good. No Doubt did it ten times better! But that video sure does make me laugh!
I’m not convinced that this debate should be about which version is better. As someone with real fondness for Adam & the Ants, new wave and punk, I think the No Doubt cover version should be experienced for what it is, a fun homage to a seminal musician who inspired No Doubt’s sound and style. The No Doubt version taps into the theatrical details of Adam’s version and is true to their own ska-pop sound.
Regarding No Doubt’s cameo on the Gossip Girl episode last night – it was a seamless fit with a nostalgic 80s treatment. Just plain rad.
The No Doubt version is nice (which is the worst any version of that song could ever be) but that’s not the question. The question is what’s the point of it? I don’t see any need for cover versions like that. I guess if you do a cover version, you should really try to make it sound interesting in some way and not just play the song like any revival band could do on weddings and high school anniversaries.
no doubts versions is a million times better. gwens voice sounds amazing in that song. end of story.
I actually like No Doubt’s cover better then the original. I’m not sure if it was a style they were going for but, the original voices sounded like they were going flat, like they couldn’t quite hit the right note. Gwen sings it very well and the drums sound more dynamic in the new version. It looked great in concert too!
That music video is smashing though.
Ok,
the retard who thinks The Ants were Glam Rock aside, the comments here are mostly good ones. Yes, different stoakes for diiferent folks. You’re allowed to like the No Doubt version if you want but proof is in the pudding…
Fact remains, the original was a smash hit, helping to cement Adam as a seminal artist and serving as a standard to which other NEW WAVE bands (not glam rock) were compared. Unfortunately, Gwen’s version has failed to gain any traction, probably due to the fact (as some here have lamented) that she didn’t give it enough ooomph…it was neither Ska (which would have rocked) nor pop/dance worthy which is what they were clearly trying to do with it.
Still, the U-tube live performances of Gwen with Shirley Manson and Katy Perry are totally worth it! oh yes…I see u goin to check now!