4 in the Morning

Stefani began working with No Doubt bassist Tony Kanal for her second solo studio album just after finishing the Harajuku Lovers Tour in late 2005, referring to him as her "comfort zone." The two wrote "4 in the Morning" based on a tape of melodies left from working on Stefani's debut album Love. Angel. Music. Baby. (2004). In a webisode detailing the recording process of the album, Stefani stated that she was inspired by ballads such as Roberta Flack's "Killing Me Softly with His Song" and Billy Idol's "Eyes Without a Face", as she wanted a "nice ballad" on the record.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqk4yFcwhhM |title=Four In The Morning – In Studio (Webisode #2) |website=YouTube |publisher=Interscope Records |date=November 3, 2006 |access-date=July 7, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316122029/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqk4yFcwhhM |archive-date=March 16, 2016 }} It was one of the last songs recorded for the album, with Stefani citing it as one of her favorite songs on The Sweet Escape, because it "brings pleasure to [her] ears."{{cite web |url=http://www.gwenstefani.com/faq/ |title=Gwen Stefani: FAQs |publisher=GwenStefani.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516004301/http://www.gwenstefani.com/faq/ |archive-date=May 16, 2008 |access-date=November 3, 2015}} The song was serviced to US contemporary hit radio on May 8, 2007, as the album's third single. A CD single, containing the album version, two remixes and its music video, was released elsewhere on June 22, 2007.

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"4 in the Morning" was written by Stefani and Kanal, who was also responsible for its production, while Mark "Spike" Stent provided additional production. Described as a 1980s-inspired mid-tempo synthpop ballad,{{cite web |last=Levine |first=Nick |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/music/single-reviews/review/a62170/gwen-stefani-4-in-the-morning/ |title=Gwen Stefani: '4 In The Morning' |publisher=Digital Spy |date=June 21, 2007 |access-date=November 3, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151212075441/http://www.digitalspy.com/music/single-reviews/review/a62170/gwen-stefani-4-in-the-morning/ |archive-date=December 12, 2015 }} the track's instrumentation includes a "light" keyboard, which "runs tie the song together from intro through break", a guitar, synthetic strings and a slick sheen. "4 in the Morning" has a mid-tempo beat, which according to some critics is "perfect for a slow dance". Stefani's vocals throughout the song's chorus presents a "fast-talking" approach. Lyrically, "4 in the Morning" talks about transparency in a romantic relationship,{{cite web |last=Hoose |first=Bob |url=http://www.pluggedin.com/music-reviews/album/gwenstefani-thesweetescape |title=The Sweet Escape Album Review |publisher=Plugged In (publication) |access-date=November 3, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210214132/http://www.pluggedin.com/music-reviews/album/gwenstefani-thesweetescape/ |archive-date=December 10, 2015 }} with the protagonist pleading for a lover to make up his mind.{{cite web |last=Gracie |first=Bianca |url=http://www.idolator.com/7571295/gwen-stefani-lamb-anniversary-best-songs-feature-no-doubt |title=In Celebration Of Gwen Stefani: 12 Of The Best Songs From Our Favorite Hollaback Girl |publisher=Idolator |date=November 21, 2014 |access-date=November 3, 2015 |archive-date=November 1, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151101161211/http://www.idolator.com/7571295/gwen-stefani-lamb-anniversary-best-songs-feature-no-doubt |url-status=dead }} Bill Lamb of About.com added that the song also deals with a relationship on the edge, which can be seen in the lines: "I'm lying here in the dark, I'm watching you sleep, it hurts a lot."{{cite news |last=du Lac |first=J. Freedom |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/04/AR2006120401543.html |title=From Gwen Stefani, A Madcap Mash-Up |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=December 5, 2007 |access-date=November 4, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716065824/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/04/AR2006120401543.html |archive-date=July 16, 2014 }} In the chorus, she sings: "I give you everything that I am/I'm handing over everything that I've got/'cause I wanna have a really true love."{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_6240000/newsid_6249300/6249378.stm |title=Single: Gwen Stefani – 4 in the Morning |work=CBBC |date=September 11, 2007 |access-date=November 3, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208141142/http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_6240000/newsid_6249300/6249378.stm |archive-date=December 8, 2015 }}

File:MadonnaO2171023 (97 of 133) (53269593787) (cropped).jpg's early records.]]

"4 in the Morning" received generally positive reviews from music critics. Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic called it "coolly sensual", noting that "those celebrations of cool synths and stylish pop hooks that work the best for Stefani."{{cite web |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-sweet-escape-mw0000445374 |title=The Sweet Escape – Gwen Stefani |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=August 30, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160813180928/http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-sweet-escape-mw0000445374 |archive-date=August 13, 2016 }} Billboard editor Chuck Taylor called it "a melodic retro ballad that could have come from 1983's Flashdance soundtrack", praising the track for "pay[ing] homage to a time when hooks were more meaningful than aligning with hostage-taking producers."{{cite magazine |last=Taylor |first=Chuck |author-link=Chuck Taylor (writer and editor) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GhMEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA38 |title=The Billboard Reviews: Singles |magazine=Billboard |volume=119 |issue=19 |page=38 |date=May 12, 2007 |issn=0006-2510 |access-date=August 30, 2015}} Gary Graff of the same publication wrote that "Stefani's Madonna reverence remains intact" on the song,{{cite magazine |last1=Graff |first1=Gary |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fA4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA43 |title=Reviews > Spotlights: Albums |magazine=Billboard |volume=118 |issue=50 |page=43 |date=December 16, 2006 |issn=0006-2510 |access-date=November 4, 2015}} with J. Freedom du Lac from The Washington Post agreeing, noting a "Madonnaism" on the track. Amanda Murray of Sputnikmusic also thought that the song "recalls a 'Crazy for You'-era Madonna", also noting that it is "pure Stefani—and understandably, [it's] far superior to any of her attempts at mimicking other artists."{{cite web |last=Murray |first=Amanda |url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/10525/Gwen-Stefani-The-Sweet-Escape/ |title=Gwen Stefani – The Sweet Escape |publisher=Sputnikmusic |date=December 29, 2006 |access-date=November 5, 2015}} Norman Mayers of Prefix magazine wrote that the song "soar[s] thanks to Stefani's girlish vocals and brilliant hook that reference iconic moments from Madonna and Tears for Fears."{{cite web |last=Mayers |first=Norman |url=http://www.prefixmag.com/reviews/the-sweet-escape/15656/ |title=Album Review: Gwen Stefani – The Sweet Escape |publisher=Prefix Magazine |date=December 5, 2006 |access-date=May 21, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023063115/http://www.prefixmag.com/reviews/the-sweet-escape/15656/ |archive-date=October 23, 2017 }} Bianca Gracie of Idolator called it "a breezy yet emotive '80s-ballad that highlights her tender vocals." Alex Miller from NME described the song as "an expertly conceived tear-jerker", stating that "[i]t feels like the kind of song a teenage Stefani, miming along to Talk Talk, would have dreamt of singing one day."{{cite web |last=Miller |first=Alex |url=http://www.nme.com/reviews/album/reviews-gwen-stefani-8100 |title=Gwen Stefani: The Sweet Escape |work=NME |date=December 1, 2006 |access-date=May 21, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023011533/http://www.nme.com/reviews/album/reviews-gwen-stefani-8100 |archive-date=October 23, 2017 }}

Bill Lamb from About.com cited "4 in the Morning" as the best song on the album, calling it "beautifully performed and produced", and noting that Stefani "allows her signature vocals to sensually float and glide through the lyrical content."{{cite web |last=Lamb |first=Bill |url=http://top40.about.com/od/singles/gr/4inthemorning.htm |title=Gwen Stefani – 4 in the Morning |publisher=About.com |year=2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110315022252/http://top40.about.com/od/singles/gr/4inthemorning.htm |archive-date=March 15, 2011 |access-date=May 29, 2007}} Similarly, a reviewer for CBBC enjoyed that the song is "a melancholy and reflective ballad about relationships, which is a breath of fresh air for Gwen", praising its "catchy melody and woeful lyrics." Nick Levine from Digital Spy compared it to Robert Palmer's 1986 single "Addicted to Love", writing that "it confirms what is rapidly becoming a universal truth: Gwen Stefani is far more likeable when she channels her new wave roots than when she tries to mould herself into a ghetto fabulous urban hipshaker." Sal Cinquemani from Slant Magazine praised Kanal's production for making the song "less forced and much less self-conscious."{{cite web |last=Cinquemani |first=Sal |url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/gwen-stefani-the-sweet-escape |title=Gwen Stefani: The Sweet Escape |publisher=Slant Magazine |date=December 1, 2006 |access-date=November 5, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161108045534/http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/gwen-stefani-the-sweet-escape |archive-date=November 8, 2016 }} Quentin B. Huff from PopMatters referred to it as one of the "few real compositions" from the album.{{cite web |last=Huff |first=Quentin B. |url=http://www.popmatters.com/review/gwen-stefani-the-sweet-escape/ |title=Gwen Stefani: The Sweet Escape |publisher=PopMatters |date=December 14, 2006 |access-date=August 30, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701000211/http://www.popmatters.com/review/gwen-stefani-the-sweet-escape/ |archive-date=July 1, 2016 }} John Murphy from musicOMH agreed, writing that "she sounds great" on "the lovelorn ballad."{{cite web |last=Murphy |first=John |url=https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/gwen-stefani-the-sweet-escape |title=Gwen Stefani – The Sweet Escape |publisher=musicOMH |date=December 4, 2006 |access-date=November 7, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117140150/http://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/gwen-stefani-the-sweet-escape |archive-date=November 17, 2015 }} Pitchfork{{'}}s Mark Pytlik, however, disapproved of the song, commenting that it destroyed "the mallpop cred that Stefani accrued with Love. Angel. Music. Baby.{{'}}s impeccable 'Cool'."{{cite web |last=Pytlik |first=Mark |url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/9703-the-sweet-escape/ |title=Gwen Stefani: The Sweet Escape |publisher=Pitchfork |date=December 7, 2006 |access-date=February 26, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501123506/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/9703-the-sweet-escape/ |archive-date=May 1, 2012 }} Spence D. from IGN was also critical with the song, calling it "the most generic, mainstream, and blasé-blah pop song on the entire album."{{cite web |last=D. |first=Spence |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/12/06/gwen-stefani-the-sweet-escape |title=Gwen Stefani – The Sweet Escape |publisher=IGN |date=December 5, 2006 |access-date=November 7, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211045911/http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/12/06/gwen-stefani-the-sweet-escape |archive-date=December 11, 2015 }}

File:4InTheMorning1.jpg.]]

In the United States, "4 in the Morning" debuted at number 76 on the US Billboard Hot 100 for the week of June 9, 2007,{{cite magazine |last=Cohen |first=Jonathan |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1051834/rihanna-shop-boyz-rocket-to-the-top-of-hot-100 |title=Rihanna, Shop Boyz Rocket To The Top Of Hot 100 |magazine=Billboard |date=May 31, 2007 |access-date=August 30, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925042606/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1051834/rihanna-shop-boyz-rocket-to-the-top-of-hot-100 |archive-date=September 25, 2015 }} before peaking at number 54 on the issue dated August 4,{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2007-08-04 |title=The Hot 100 – The Week of August 4, 2007 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=August 30, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150829051838/http://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2007-08-04 |archive-date=August 29, 2015 }} becoming Stefani's lowest-peaking solo single on the chart at the time, and her first to miss the top 50. It was more successful on the radio charts, reaching number 16 on both the Mainstream Top 40 and the Adult Top 40 charts. The single was also successful at nightclubs and reached number two on the Dance Club Songs chart. In Canada, the single fared better, where it peaked at number 17 on the Canadian Hot 100, but was more successful outside of North America. In Australia, the single debuted and peaked at number nine on the ARIA Charts, meanwhile it debuted at number 36 and three weeks later it peaked at number five on the New Zealand Singles Chart. It became the album's third top-ten single in both countries.

In the United Kingdom, the single peaked at number 22 on the UK Singles Chart and remained on the chart for 10 weeks. It fared better in the rest of Europe, reaching the top-five in Romania, the top-ten in Finland, and the top 20 in Austria, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovakia and Switzerland. In France, "4 in the Morning" managed to reach number 21, her first solo single to miss the top 20 since "Cool", which peaked 11 places lower.

The accompanying music video for "4 in the Morning" was directed by Sophie Muller and features a tearful and distraught Stefani, lying in bed as she begins to sing to the camera. In a white inside-out L.A.M.B. t-shirt, she wanders around her apartment lost and questioning her lover, who is absent from the video. The lyrics describe an argument, which she has with an off-screen lover throughout the video.{{cite web |last1=Vineyard |first1=Jennifer |last2=Warburton |first2=Richard |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1554338/gwen-stefani-lets-her-lover-have-it-in-new-clip/ |title=Gwen Stefani Lets Her Lover Have It In New Clip |publisher=MTV News |date=March 12, 2007 |access-date=August 30, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210205958/http://www.mtv.com/news/1554338/gwen-stefani-lets-her-lover-have-it-in-new-clip/ |archive-date=December 10, 2015 }}

After lying around her apartment and crying during a bath, she leaves her house at night and travels in a car, as she sits tearfully in the back. The video ends with Stefani rolling on the bed.

"4 in the Morning" was given a "First Look" on MTV's top-ten chart program Total Request Live on April 26, 2007,{{cite episode |series=Total Request Live |series-link=Total Request Live |season=15 |number=57 |airdate=April 26, 2007 |network=MTV}} and peaked at number seven on May 9.{{cite episode |series=Total Request Live |season=15 |number=64 |airdate=May 9, 2007 |network=MTV}} On MuchMusic's Countdown, it became Stefani's second lowest-charting video (next to "Early Winter", which peaked at number 23) since 2005's "Luxurious", peaking at number seven for two consecutive weeks after a slow ascent.{{cite episode |series=Countdown |series-link=Countdown (MuchMusic) |airdate=July 27, 2007 |network=MuchMusic}}

• UK and German CD single

1. "4 in the Morning" (album version) – 4:51
2. "4 in the Morning" (Thin White Duke Edit) – 4:55

• Australian and German CD maxi single

1. "4 in the Morning" (album version) – 4:51
2. "4 in the Morning" (Thin White Duke Edit) – 4:55
3. "4 in the Morning" (Oscar the Punk Remix) – 5:41
4. "4 in the Morning" (video) – 4:24

Credits adapted from the liner notes of The Sweet Escape{{cite AV media notes |title=The Sweet Escape |type=CD liner notes |others=Gwen Stefani |publisher=Interscope Records |year=2006 |id=B0008099-02 IN02}}

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• Gwen Stefani – lead vocals, songwriting
• Andrew Alekel – recording
• Matt Beck – guitar
• Greg Collins – additional vocal production, guitar, recording
• Pete Davis – additional keyboards, additional mix programming
• Alex Dromgoole – assistant engineering
• David Emery – assistant engineering

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• Brian "Big Bass" Gardner – mastering
• Neil Kanal – programming, recording
• Tony Kanal – keyboards, production, programming, songwriting
• Gabrial McNair – keyboards
• Colin Mitchell – recording
• Dror Mohar – assistant engineering
• Mark "Spike" Stent – additional production, mixing

{{col-end}}

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{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "4 in the Morning"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=2007|certyear=2014}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Gwen Stefani|title=4 in the Morning|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2007|certyear=2015|source=radioscope|access-date=December 19, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Gwen Stefani|title=4 In The Morning|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2004|certyear=2021|date=March 8, 2021|access-date=March 8, 2021|refname="RIAA"}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Gwen Stefani songs}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2006 songs

Category:2007 singles

Category:2000s ballads

Category:Gwen Stefani songs

Category:Interscope Records singles

Category:Music videos directed by Sophie Muller

Category:Songs about heartache

Category:Songs written by Gwen Stefani

Category:Songs written by Tony Kanal

Category:Synth-pop ballads