The Sweet Escape

Following the release of her debut album Love. Angel. Music. Baby., Stefani announced that she had intended to return to No Doubt and record a sixth studio album with the band.{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/gwen-stefani-37-1365397 |title=No Doubt 'will return' |work=NME |date=November 10, 2005 |access-date=January 23, 2017}} After the commercial success of L.A.M.B., she decided to release several leftover tracks from the album as an EP or as extra tracks on a DVD.{{cite web |last1=Vineyard |first1=Jennifer |last2=Pak |first2=SuChin |last3=Reid |first3=Shaheem |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1513575/gwen-cheats-on-gavin-to-make-family-affair-lp-with-pharrell/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128123950/http://www.mtv.com/news/1513575/gwen-cheats-on-gavin-to-make-family-affair-lp-with-pharrell/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 28, 2015 |title=Gwen Cheats On Gavin To Make Family-Affair LP With Pharrell |publisher=MTV News |date=November 11, 2005 |access-date=June 19, 2014}} However, Pharrell Williams, with whom she had collaborated to write "Hollaback Girl", convinced Stefani to create "a L.A.M.B. part two", and the two recorded several songs during sessions in Miami in July 2005.{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1506360/for-the-record-quick-news-on-gwen-stefani-gang-of-four-korn-christina-aguilera-jewel-idol-more/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141206151544/http://www.mtv.com/news/1506360/for-the-record-quick-news-on-gwen-stefani-gang-of-four-korn-christina-aguilera-jewel-idol-more/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 6, 2014 |title=For The Record: Quick News On Gwen Stefani, Gang Of Four, Korn, Christina Aguilera, Jewel, 'Idol' & More |publisher=MTV News |date=July 25, 2005 |access-date=June 19, 2014}}

The two produced "Wind It Up", "Orange County Girl", "U Started It", "Yummy", "Breakin' Up", and "Candyland" during these sessions, and the songs were used for a fashion show premiering the 2006 collection of Stefani's fashion line L.A.M.B.{{cite web |last=Vineyard |first=Jennifer |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1543813/gwen-stefanis-new-lp-the-sweet-escape-set-for-december/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715170416/http://www.mtv.com/news/1543813/gwen-stefanis-new-lp-the-sweet-escape-set-for-december/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 15, 2014 |title=Gwen Stefani's New LP, The Sweet Escape, Set For December |publisher=MTV News |date=September 19, 2005 |access-date=June 19, 2014}} She included performances of "Wind It Up" and "Orange County Girl" when she embarked on the Harajuku Lovers Tour in October 2005.{{cite news |last=Stevenson |first=Jane |url=http://jam.canoe.com/Music/Artists/S/Stefani_Gwen/ConcertReviews/2005/12/10/1346779.html |title=Air Canada Centre, Toronto – December 9, 2005 |newspaper=Toronto Sun |date=December 10, 2005 |access-date=February 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413192438/http://jam.canoe.com/Music/Artists/S/Stefani_Gwen/ConcertReviews/2005/12/10/1346779.html |archive-date=April 13, 2016 |via=Jam!}} Stefani put the project on hold in December 2005 when she discovered that she was pregnant,{{cite web |last=Vineyard |first=Jennifer |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1519189/gwen-stefani-confirms-pregnancy-while-onstage-in-florida/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716021535/http://www.mtv.com/news/1519189/gwen-stefani-confirms-pregnancy-while-onstage-in-florida/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 16, 2014 |title=Gwen Stefani Confirms Pregnancy While Onstage In Florida |publisher=MTV News |date=December 24, 2005 |access-date=June 19, 2014}} before returning to the studio in August 2006.{{cite web |last=Salmon |first=Chris |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/mar/02/popandrock.gwenstefani |title='I just want to make music and babies' |work=The Guardian |date=March 2, 2007 |access-date=January 22, 2014}} The album's working title was Candyland, sharing its name with an unreleased track that has only been looped via her fashion show soundtrack. The title was changed to The Sweet Escape, the title of the second track.

The album cover was taken by photographer Jill Greenberg. The image was part of a series of promotional images taken by Greenberg, inspired by her previous End Times exhibition. To create End Times, Greenberg gave lollipops to toddlers but took them back after several moments, provoking emotional outbursts. Greenberg used the images as a representation of American politics and society.{{cite web |last=Glaister |first=Dan |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/jul/26/usa.arts |title=Critics call foul over LA exhibition |work=The Guardian |date=July 26, 2006 |access-date=January 22, 2014}} Greenberg was accused of child abuse for the photo shoots; Stefani, however, commented, "I didn't think 'child abuse'—I just thought, 'That's beautiful.' Every kid cries [...] Other people reacted like, 'Oh my God. That's so disturbing,' or 'That's so sad.' I guess that's what art's all about. It's supposed to make you think."{{cite web |last=Doherty |first=Mike |url=http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/artslife/story.html?id=d5ff3ef3-a858-4588-9d48-f6607e660c1a&k=2319&cid=1111636538&ei=nkN2RbrmI4e6pwKivdyFCQ |title=The thrills are alive: Gwen Stefani's new disc |work=National Post |date=December 5, 2006 |access-date=May 13, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105102354/http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/artslife/story.html?id=d5ff3ef3-a858-4588-9d48-f6607e660c1a&k=2319&cid=1111636538&ei=nkN2RbrmI4e6pwKivdyFCQ |archive-date=November 5, 2012}}

Stefani's appearance on the album cover is inspired by that of Elvira Hancock, a cocaine addict portrayed by Michelle Pfeiffer in the 1983 film Scarface. Stefani first gained inspiration for the style while shooting the music video for "Cool" in Lake Como, Italy. During the shoot, Stefani saw her No Doubt bandmate Tony Kanal and his girlfriend, who had on a "long, peach, polyester [late-1970s style] dress". It was this dress that got Stefani thinking "about Michelle Pfeiffer and how amazingly styled she was [in Scarface]", which in turn drew inspiration for the cover.{{cite magazine |last=Collins |first=Clark |url=http://ew.com/article/2007/01/08/gwen-stefani-her-music-her-style-and-more/ |title=Holla Back |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=November 22, 2006 |access-date=January 23, 2017}} The pair of oversized sunglasses on the album cover is intended to represent her "guarded exterior", and the other images symbolize her various emotions.{{cite web |url=http://www.gwenstefani.com/faq/default.aspx |title=Q&A |website=GwenStefani.com |access-date=May 13, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516004301/http://www.gwenstefani.com/faq/ |archive-date=May 16, 2008}}

Image:GwenStefaniJonesBeach.jpg]]

The Sweet Escape is a primarily dance-pop, electropop, and rap album,{{cite web |last=Day |first=Elizabeth |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/sep/23/popandrock.gwenstefani |title=She's a can-do kind of woman |work=The Guardian |date=September 23, 2007 |access-date=August 23, 2015 |quote=The Sweet Escape album, a catchy confection of offbeat electro-pop and rap, ...}} featuring themes of romantic situations and details of her career and personal life, while sonically the album features "sparsely rhythmic tracks where she chants as much as she sings" and "pop songs that aim for choruses." The album opens with "Wind It Up", which features fanfares and samples from The Sound of Music{{'}}s "The Lonely Goatherd", having "material-minded lyrics touting her fashion line and her shape." The second and title track, "The Sweet Escape", is a dance and doo-wop song, which features Akon providing a "wee-oh!" hook, with lyrics about a "feisty sort of apology." "Orange County Girl" is an autobiographical rap song, where Stefani shows how she is "grateful for her success while recalling the simpler days of her youth."{{cite web |last=Hoose |first=Bob |url=https://www.pluggedin.com/music-reviews/album/gwenstefani-thesweetescape/ |title=Gwen Stefani: The Sweet Escape |website=Plugged In (publication) |access-date=February 18, 2016}} The album's first ballad, "Early Winter", has influences of 1980s soft rock and lyrics about the need for fidelity and transparency in romantic relationship. "Now That You Got It" features military snare drums, loping hip-hop beat and a staccato piano sample. Its lyrics has Stefani "act[ing] as if she's doing a lover a favor and challenges him to come through."

The sixth track "4 in the Morning" is a 1980s-inspired synth-pop 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' |website=Digital Spy |date=June 21, 2007 |access-date=November 3, 2015}} that lyrically deals with a relationship on the edge,{{cite news |last=Lamb |first=Bill |url=http://top40.about.com/od/singles/gr/4inthemorning.htm |title=Gwen Stefani – 4 in the Morning |website=About.com |access-date=May 29, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110315022252/http://top40.about.com/od/singles/gr/4inthemorning.htm |archive-date=March 15, 2011}} while "Yummy" is a dance song, with a tribal rhythm,{{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}} cameo by Pharrell Williams and lyrics that finds Stefani declaring that "making babies leaves her eager to feel sexy again." "Fluorescent" features Angelo Moore on saxophone,{{cite web |last=Merwin |first=Charles |url=http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/gwen-stefani/the-sweet-escape.htm |title=Gwen Stefani – The Sweet Escape |website=Stylus Magazine |date=December 6, 2006 |access-date=November 8, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207160901/http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/gwen-stefani/the-sweet-escape.htm |archive-date=February 7, 2009}} and was compared to the works of Madonna and Prince, while "Breakin' Up" has influences of hip hop and electronica and it is "a breakup song built on a dying cell phone metaphor." The tenth track, "Don't Get It Twisted", talks about an unexpected pregnancy, in a song influenced by reggaeton. "U Started It" was noted for having "lilting melody, silken harmonies, and pizzicato strings", while the final track, "Wonderful Life", was named a Depeche Mode-style synth ballad about how much she misses her first love and how the person had a profound impact on her.

{{Music ratings

| MC = 58/100

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1Score = {{Rating|3|5}}

| rev2 = Entertainment Weekly

| rev2Score = B−

| rev3 = The Guardian

| rev3Score = {{Rating|4|5}}

| rev4 = NME

| rev4Score = 4/10

| rev5 = The Observer

| rev5Score = {{Rating|3|5}}

| rev6 = Pitchfork

| rev6Score = 6.5/10

| rev7 = PopMatters

| rev7Score = 4/10

| rev8 = Q

| rev8score = {{Rating|3|5}}While The Sweet Escape is not as garishly over-the-top as its predecessor, Stefani maintains an admirably off-kilter sound, catchy yet electronically edgy. [Feb 2007, p.106]

| rev9 = Rolling Stone

| rev9Score = {{Rating|2|5}}

| rev10 = Slant Magazine

| rev10Score = {{Rating|3|5}}

}}

The Sweet Escape received mixed reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 58, based on 24 reviews.{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/the-sweet-escape/gwen-stefani |title=The Sweet Escape by Gwen Stefani Reviews and Tracks |website=Metacritic |access-date=July 29, 2018}} Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic wrote, "From the stilted production to the fashion fetish, all the way down to her decision to rap on far too much of the album, all the dance-pop here seems like a pose."{{cite web |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-sweet-escape-mw0000445374 |title=The Sweet Escape – Gwen Stefani |website=AllMusic |access-date=March 21, 2010}} Alex Miller of NME was more emphatic, dubbing it "this year's bargain-bin fodder", and stated that "the majority of this record serves only to bury what made Gwen Stefani unique in the first place."{{cite web |last=Miller |first=Alex |url=http://www.nme.com/reviews/gwen-stefani/8100 |title=Gwen Stefani: The Sweet Escape |work=NME |date=December 1, 2006 |access-date=August 18, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019180709/http://www.nme.com/reviews/gwen-stefani/8100 |archive-date=October 19, 2013}} At Entertainment Weekly, Sia Michel noted that the album "has a surprisingly moody, lightly autobiographical feel" but that "Stefani isn't convincing as a dissatisfied diva".{{cite magazine |last=Michel |first=Sia |author-link=Sia Michel |url=http://ew.com/article/2006/12/04/sweet-escape/ |title=The Sweet Escape |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=December 1, 2006 |access-date=January 23, 2017}} Pitchfork{{'}}s Mark Pytlik described the album's oddities as a career risk for Stefani, where most of the "gonzo pop songs yield some degree of payout" but that Stefani's tight scheduling during production of the album leaves the result "somewhere between the vanguard and the insipid."{{cite web |last=Pytlik |first=Mark |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/9703-the-sweet-escape/ |title=Gwen Stefani: The Sweet Escape |website=Pitchfork |date=December 7, 2006 |access-date=August 18, 2007}} Paul Flynn of The Observer characterized the album as less interesting than Fergie's The Dutchess and Nelly Furtado's Loose.{{cite web |last=Flynn |first=Paul |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2006/dec/10/17 |title=Gwen Stefani, The Sweet Escape |work=The Observer |date=December 10, 2006 |access-date=January 22, 2014}} Robert Christgau cited the song "Yummy" as a "choice cut" ({{Rating-Christgau|cut}}).{{cite web |last=Christgau |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Christgau |url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=gwen+stefani |title=CG: Gwen Stefani |website=RobertChristgau.com |access-date=May 17, 2012}}

The album received criticism for its similarities to Love. Angel. Music. Baby. Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine opined that "[h]istory will likely view The Sweet Escape as a retread of Stefani's well-received solo debut, but it shares that album's general inconsistency and, thus, its peaks and valleys".{{cite web |last=Cinquemani |first=Sal |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/gwen-stefani-the-sweet-escape |title=Gwen Stefani: The Sweet Escape |website=Slant Magazine |date=December 1, 2006 |access-date=April 17, 2013}} Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone agreed, viewing it as "her hasty return" to music lacking the energy of L.A.M.B. and in which "she sounds exhausted."{{cite magazine |last=Sheffield |first=Rob |author-link=Rob Sheffield |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/gwenstefani/albums/album/12640869/review/12811225/the_sweet_escape |title=Gwen Stefani: The Sweet Escape |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=December 12, 2006 |access-date=August 18, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070420025743/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/gwenstefani/albums/album/12640869/review/12811225/the_sweet_escape |archive-date=April 20, 2007}} The New York Times{{'}} Jon Pareles commented that Stefani "rebooks some of the same producers and repeats some of the old tricks with less flair", adding that "superficiality is more fun when it doesn't get so whiny."{{cite web |last=Pareles |first=Jon |author-link=Jon Pareles |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/04/arts/music/04choi.html |title=Critics' Choice: New CDs |work=The New York Times |date=December 4, 2006 |access-date=January 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729082059/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/04/arts/music/04choi.html |archive-date=July 29, 2018}} Caroline Sullivan disagreed in her review for The Guardian, in which she stated that although some of the songs date back to the 2003 writing sessions for L.A.M.B., "generally The Sweet Escape feels minty-fresh."{{cite web |last=Sullivan |first=Caroline |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2006/dec/01/popandrock.gwenstefani |title=Gwen Stefani, The Sweet Escape |work=The Guardian |date=December 1, 2006 |access-date=January 22, 2014}} Quentin B. Huff of PopMatters, however, referred to The Sweet Escape as L.A.M.B.: Reloaded and described The Sweet Escape and L.A.M.B. as "the same album, just add more rap, a glossy Next-Top-Model-ish photo for the cover, and a few more recent-sounding influences."{{cite web |last=Huff |first=Quentin B. |url=http://www.popmatters.com/review/gwen-stefani-the-sweet-escape/ |title=Gwen Stefani: The Sweet Escape |website=PopMatters |date=December 14, 2006 |access-date=July 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928153255/http://www.popmatters.com/review/gwen-stefani-the-sweet-escape/ |archive-date=September 28, 2013}}

The Sweet Escape debuted at number three on the Billboard 200, selling 243,000 copies in its first week.{{cite magazine |last=Hasty |first=Katie |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/56457/ciara-eminem-stefani-overtake-the-billboard-200 |title=Ciara, Eminem, Stefani Overtake The Billboard 200 |magazine=Billboard |date=December 13, 2006 |access-date=March 24, 2013}} It sold another 149,000 copies during its second week, falling to number 14.{{cite magazine |last=Cohen |first=Jonathan |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/56396/young-jeezy-hicks-enter-atop-the-billboard-200 |title=Young Jeezy, Hicks Enter Atop The Billboard 200 |magazine=Billboard |date=December 20, 2006 |access-date=March 24, 2013}} The album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on June 25, 2007, and had sold 1,733,000 copies in the United States by February 2016.{{cite web |url=http://hitsdailydouble.com/new_album_releases |title=Upcoming Releases |website=Hits Daily Double |access-date=February 23, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220183643/http://hitsdailydouble.com/new_album_releases |archive-date=February 20, 2016}} The Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA) certified The Sweet Escape platinum eight days prior to the album's release, and double platinum on March 5, 2007.

In the United Kingdom, The Sweet Escape debuted at number 26 on the UK Albums Chart with first-week sales of 33,632 copies.{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Alan |url=http://www.musicweek.com/news/read/take-that-make-it-three-weeks-atop-singles-chart/035283 |title=Take That make it three weeks atop singles chart |work=Music Week |date=December 11, 2006 |access-date=January 22, 2014 |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202100150/http://www.musicweek.com/news/read/take-that-make-it-three-weeks-atop-singles-chart/035283 |archive-date=February 2, 2014 |url-status=live}} Three months later, on March 4, 2007, the album reached a new peak position of number 14. It was certified Platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) on July 22, 2013 and, as of March 2016, has sold 365,143 copies in the UK.{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Alan |url=https://www.musicweek.com/analysis/read/official-charts-analysis-adele-holds-off-james-iggy-at-albums-summit/064396 |title=Official Charts Analysis: Adele holds off James, Iggy at albums summit |work=Music Week |date=March 25, 2016 |access-date=January 23, 2017 |url-access=subscription}} The album was moderately successful across Europe, peaking in the top 10 in Norway and Switzerland; the top 20 in Austria, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, and Sweden; and the top 40 in Belgium, Denmark, France and the Netherlands. The Sweet Escape reached number two for two consecutive weeks on the ARIA Albums Chart in Australia, and was certified double platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA).

{{Main|The Sweet Escape Tour}}

Image:GwenStefaniAndAkon.jpg performing title track "The Sweet Escape" during The Sweet Escape Tour]]

The Sweet Escape Tour was Stefani's follow-up to the Harajuku Lovers Tour. It went worldwide as compared to her previous tour which was constricted only to North America and had more than double the number of shows. It was Stefani's last solo effort as she rejoined her band No Doubt after the tour ended.{{cite magazine |last=Greene |first=Andy |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/no-doubt-hit-the-studio-gwen-stefani-oversees-proceedings-from-afar-99395/ |title=No Doubt Hit the Studio; Gwen Stefani Oversees Proceedings From Afar |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=June 7, 2007 |access-date=July 29, 2018}} The main feature were usage of various props such as a prison for Stefani's opening act, a six-piece band and a large multimedia screen in the backdrop showing videos and animations.{{cite web |last=Davis |first=Aaron |url=https://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071102/A_NEWS/71102045 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071107034423/http://recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071102/A_NEWS/71102045 |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 7, 2007 |title=Gwen Stefani puts on pop performance at arena |work=The Record |date=November 2, 2007 |access-date=March 18, 2011 }}

The tour had its own set of controversies. A group of students making up for The National Union of Malaysian Muslim Students banned Stefani's concert that was slated to take place on August 21, 2007, at Putra Indoor Stadium in Kuala Lumpur. The union's vice president, Abdul Muntaqim, said, "Her performance and her attire are not suitable for our culture. It promotes a certain degree of obscenity and will encourage youth to emulate the western lifestyle. The concert should be stopped." The organizer of the event, Maxis Communications, later responded, "Stefani has confirmed that her concert will not feature any revealing costumes. She will abide by the Malaysian authorities' guidelines to ensure that her show will not be offensive to local sensitivities."{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-malaysia-concert-idUSKLR31063820070731 |title=Malaysian group urges ban on Gwen Stefani concert |website=Reuters |date=July 31, 2007 |access-date=February 7, 2016}} In April 2007, Akon, one of the tour's opening acts, drew criticism for engaging in on-stage dirty dancing with a 14-year-old girl at a club in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, as part of a fake contest.{{cite web |last=Telesford |first=Nigel |url=http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=161129187 |title=Akon 'cons' Trinidad |work=Trinidad and Tobago Express |date=April 14, 2007 |access-date=March 18, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070514214327/http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=161129187 |archive-date=May 14, 2007}}{{cite web |last=Ramnarine |first=Kristy |url=http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=161131759 |title=Zen owner: Age limit 21 for club |work=Trinidad and Tobago Express |date=April 20, 2007 |access-date=March 18, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070701110512/http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=161131759 |archive-date=July 1, 2007}} As a result, Verizon Wireless terminated its sponsorship of the tour.{{cite web |last=Leeds |first=Jeff |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/10/arts/music/10akon.html |title=Verizon Drops Pop Singer From Ads |work=The New York Times |date=May 10, 2007 |access-date=March 18, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729082020/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/10/arts/music/10akon.html |archive-date=July 29, 2018}}

Stefani donated $166,000 from her October 30, 2007, concert in San Diego to the San Diego Foundation, in benefit of the victims of the October 2007 California wildfires.{{cite web |last=Hall |first=Sarah |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/56577/gwen-stefani-s-sweet-donate |title=Gwen Stefani's Sweet Donate |publisher=E! News |date=October 29, 2007 |access-date=January 22, 2014}} On her June 22 and June 23 concerts in Irvine, California, Stefani was joined onstage by her No Doubt bandmates. They performed the band's songs "Just a Girl", "Spiderwebs", "Sunday Morning", "Hella Good", and their cover of Talk Talk's "It's My Life".{{cite web |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1563286/gwen-stefani-and-no-doubt-surprise-fans-with-hometown-reunion/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405090937/http://www.mtv.com/news/1563286/gwen-stefani-and-no-doubt-surprise-fans-with-hometown-reunion/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 5, 2015 |title=Gwen Stefani And No Doubt Surprise Fans With Hometown Reunion |publisher=MTV News |date=June 25, 2007 |access-date=June 19, 2014}}

{{Track listing

| headline = The Sweet Escape track listing

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| total_length = 46:56

| title1 = Wind It Up

| writer1 = {{hlist|Gwen Stefani|Pharrell Williams|Richard Rodgers|Oscar Hammerstein}}

| extra1 = {{hlist|The Neptunes|Mark "Spike" Stent{{ref|a|[a]}}|Ron Fair{{ref|b|[b]}}}}

| length1 = 3:09

| title2 = The Sweet Escape

| note2 = featuring Akon

| writer2 = {{hlist|Stefani|Aliaune "Akon" Thiam|Giorgio Tuinfort}}

| extra2 = {{hlist|Thiam|Tuinfort{{ref|c|[c]}}}}

| length2 = 4:06

| title3 = Orange County Girl

| writer3 = {{hlist|Stefani|Williams}}

| extra3 = The Neptunes

| length3 = 3:23

| title4 = Early Winter

| writer4 = {{hlist|Stefani|Tim Rice-Oxley}}

| extra4 = {{hlist|Nellee Hooper|Stent{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length4 = 4:44

| title5 = Now That You Got It

| writer5 = {{hlist|Stefani|Sean Garrett|Kaseem Dean}}

| extra5 = {{hlist|Swizz Beatz|Garrett{{ref|c|[c]}}}}

| length5 = 2:59

| title6 = 4 in the Morning

| writer6 = {{hlist|Stefani|Tony Kanal}}

| extra6 = {{hlist|Kanal|Greg Collins{{ref|d|[d]}}|Stent{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length6 = 4:51

| title7 = Yummy

| note7 = featuring Pharrell

| writer7 = {{hlist|Stefani|Williams}}

| extra7 = The Neptunes

| length7 = 4:57

| title8 = Fluorescent

| writer8 = {{hlist|Stefani|Kanal}}

| extra8 = {{hlist|Kanal|Stent{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length8 = 4:18

| title9 = Breakin' Up

| writer9 = {{hlist|Stefani|Williams}}

| extra9 = The Neptunes

| length9 = 3:46

| title10 = Don't Get It Twisted

| writer10 = {{hlist|Stefani|Kanal}}

| extra10 = {{hlist|Kanal|Collins{{ref|d|[d]}}|Stent{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length10 = 3:36

| title11 = U Started It

| writer11 = {{hlist|Stefani|Williams}}

| extra11 = {{hlist|The Neptunes|Stent{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length11 = 3:08

| title12 = Wonderful Life

| writer12 = {{hlist|Stefani|Linda Perry}}

| extra12 = {{hlist|Hooper|Stent{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length12 = 3:58

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = International edition bonus track{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.de/Sweet-Escape-Gwen-Stefani/dp/B000KB49KG |title=The Sweet Escape: Gwen Stefani |website=Amazon (Germany) |language=de |access-date=May 15, 2011}}

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| total_length = 50:20

| title13 = Wind It Up

| note13 = Harajuku Lovers Live version

| writer13 = {{hlist|Stefani|Williams}}

| extra13 = Guy Charbonneau

| length13 = 3:24

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Australian and UK edition bonus video

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| total_length = 55:26

| title14 = Orange County Girl

| note14 = Harajuku Lovers Live version

| writer14 = {{hlist|Stefani|Williams}}

| extra14 = Charbonneau

| length14 = 5:06

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Japanese edition bonus video{{cite web |url=http://www.hmv.co.jp/en/artist_Gwen-Stefani_000000000247011/item_The-Sweet-Escape_1204296 |title=The Sweet Escape : Gwen Stefani |publisher=HMV Japan |access-date=January 22, 2014}}

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| total_length = 58:50

| title15 = Wind It Up

| note15 = Harajuku Lovers Live version

| writer15 = {{hlist|Stefani|Williams}}

| extra15 = Charbonneau

| length15 = 3:24

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = US iTunes Store edition bonus tracks{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-sweet-escape/id206978585 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091203005054/http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-sweet-escape/id206978585 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 3, 2009 |title=The Sweet Escape by Gwen Stefani |website=iTunes Store (US) |access-date=October 9, 2010}}

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| total_length = 53:28

| title13 = Wind It Up

| note13 = Original Neptunes Mix

| writer13 = {{hlist|Stefani|Williams}}

| extra13 = {{hlist|The Neptunes|Stent{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length13 = 3:08

| title14 = Wind It Up

| note14 = live) (video

| writer14 = {{hlist|Stefani|Williams}}

| extra14 = Charbonneau

| length14 = 3:24

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Target edition bonus DVD{{cite AV media notes |title=The Sweet Escape |type=Target exclusive edition liner notes |others=Gwen Stefani |publisher=Interscope Records |year=2006 |id=B0008261-00}}

| title1 = Sessions@AOL Interview

| note1 = The Making of L.A.M.B.

| title2 = Behind-the-Scenes Footage

| note2 = The L.A.M.B. Tour

| title3 = Wind It Up

| note3 = live performance

| title4 = The Making of 'Wind It Up{{'-}}

| title5 = The Making of The Sweet Escape

}}

Notes

• {{sup|{{note|a|[a]}}}} signifies an additional producer
• {{sup|{{note|b|[b]}}}} signifies an orchestra producer
• {{sup|{{note|c|[c]}}}} signifies a co-producer
• {{sup|{{note|d|[d]}}}} signifies an additional vocal producer
• "Wind It Up" contains interpolations from the composition "The Lonely Goatherd" from The Sound of Music, written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein.

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

{{Div col}}

• Gwen Stefani – vocals
• Talent Bootcamp Kids – additional vocals {{small|(track 1)}}
• Pete Davis – additional mix programming {{small|(tracks 1, 4–6, 8, 10–12)}}; additional keyboards {{small|(tracks 1, 4–6, 8, 10–12)}}
• Akon – vocals, programming, keyboards {{small|(track 2)}}
• Giorgio Tuinfort – programming, keyboards {{small|(track 2)}}
• Tony Love – guitar {{small|(track 2)}}
• Aidan Love – programming {{small|(track 4)}}
• Tim Rice-Oxley – piano, keyboards {{small|(track 4)}}
• Mark Ralph – guitar {{small|(track 4)}}
• Greg Collins – bass guitar {{small|(track 4)}}; guitar {{small|(track 6)}}
• Loren Dawson – keyboards {{small|(track 5)}}
• Sean Garrett – backing vocals {{small|(track 5)}}
• Neil Kanal – programming {{small|(tracks 6, 8, 10)}}; keyboards {{small|(track 10)}}
• Tony Kanal – programming, keyboards {{small|(tracks 6, 8, 10)}}
• Gabrial McNair – keyboards {{small|(tracks 6, 8)}}; trombone, baritone {{small|(track 10)}}
• Matt Beck – guitar {{small|(track 6)}}
• Pharrell – vocals {{small|(track 7)}}
• Kingston James McGregor Rossdale – baby sounds {{small|(track 7)}}
• Angelo Moore – saxophone {{small|(track 8)}}
• Alex Dromgoole – guitar {{small|(tracks 8, 10)}}; bass guitar {{small|(track 10)}}
• David Emery – guitar {{small|(track 8)}}
• Stephen Bradley – trumpet, baritone {{small|(track 10)}}
• Scheila Gonzalez – saxophone, flute, clarinet {{small|(track 10)}}
• Anthony LoGerfo – percussion {{small|(track 10)}}
• Ewan Pearson – programming {{small|(track 12)}}
• Martin Gore – guitar {{small|(track 12)}}
• Richard Hawley – guitar {{small|(track 12)}}

{{Div col end}}

{{Div col}}

• The Neptunes – production {{small|(tracks 1, 3, 7, 9, 11)}}
• Brian Garten – recording {{small|(tracks 1, 3, 7, 9)}}
• Ron Fair – orchestra production {{small|(track 1)}}
• Hart Gunther – engineering assistance {{small|(tracks 1, 3, 9)}}
• Mark "Spike" Stent – additional production {{small|(tracks 1, 4, 6, 8, 10–12)}}; mixing {{small|(tracks 1, 2, 4–6, 8–12)}}
• Alex Dromgoole – engineering assistance {{small|(tracks 1, 2, 4–6, 8–12)}}
• David Emery – engineering assistance {{small|(tracks 1, 2, 4–6, 8–12)}}
• Akon – production {{small|(track 2)}}
• Giorgio Tuinfort – co-production {{small|(track 2)}}
• Mark "Exit" Goodchild – recording {{small|(track 2)}}
• Bojan Dugic – recording {{small|(track 2)}}
• Keith Gretlein – recording {{small|(track 2)}}
• Kevin Mills – recording {{small|(tracks 2, 5)}}; engineering assistance {{small|(track 12)}}
• Yvan Bing – engineering assistance {{small|(track 2)}}
• Rich Travali – mixing {{small|(track 3)}}
• Nellee Hooper – production {{small|(tracks 4, 12)}}
• Greg Collins – recording {{small|(tracks 4, 6, 8, 10, 12)}}; additional vocal production {{small|(tracks 6, 10)}}; additional vocals recording {{small|(track 11)}}
• Ian Rossiter – engineering assistance {{small|(tracks 4, 12)}}
• Swizz Beatz – production {{small|(track 5)}}
• Sean Garrett – co-production {{small|(track 5)}}
• Angel Aponte – additional recording {{small|(track 5)}}
• Glenn Pittman – engineering assistance {{small|(track 5)}}
• Steve Tolle – engineering assistance {{small|(track 5)}}
• Tony Kanal – production {{small|(tracks 6, 8, 10)}}
• Neil Kanal – recording {{small|(tracks 6, 8, 10)}}
• Colin Mitchell – recording {{small|(tracks 6, 8, 10)}}
• Andrew Alekel – recording {{small|(tracks 6, 8, 10)}}
• Dror Mohar – engineering assistance {{small|(tracks 6, 8, 10)}}
• Andrew Coleman – recording {{small|(tracks 7, 11)}}
• Ryan Kennedy – engineering assistance {{small|(track 7)}}
• Phil Tan – mixing {{small|(track 7)}}
• Julian Chan – recording {{small|(track 8)}}
• Jonathan Merritt – recording {{small|(track 8)}}
• Jason Finkel – engineering assistance {{small|(track 11)}}
• Simon Gogerly – recording {{small|(track 12)}}
• Brian "Big Bass" Gardner – mastering at Bernie Grundman Mastering (Hollywood, California)

{{Div col end}}

• Jill Greenberg – photography, fine art concept
• Jolie Clemens – art direction, layout
• Nicole Frantz – photography, art and packaging coordination
• Cindy Cooper – photography, art and packaging coordination

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for The Sweet Escape}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|artist=Gwen Stefani|title=The Sweet Escape|award=Platinum|number=2|type=album|certyear=2007|access-date=January 4, 2010|refname="aria"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=Gwen Stefani|title=The Sweet Escape|award=Platinum|number=2|type=album|relyear=2006|date=March 5, 2007|access-date=July 13, 2014|refname="cria"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|artist=Gwen Stefani|title=The Sweet Escape|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2006|certref={{cite web |url=http://www.ifpi.dk/?q=content/guld-og-platin-i-august |title=Guld og platin i august og september |publisher=IFPI Denmark |language=da |date=September 28, 2007 |access-date=August 26, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130413160027/http://www.ifpi.dk/?q=content%2Fguld-og-platin-i-august |archive-date=April 13, 2013 |url-status=dead }}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|artist=Gwen Stefani|title=The Sweet Escape|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2006|access-date=April 9, 2010}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Hungary|artist=Gwen Stefani|title=The Sweet Escape|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2006|relmonth=11|certyear=2007|access-date=June 19, 2014}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|artist=Gwen Stefani|title=The Sweet Escape|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2006|certyear=2007|certmonth=03|access-date=January 4, 2010}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Gwen Stefani|title=The Sweet Escape|award=Platinum|number=2|type=album|source=radioscope|relyear=2006|certyear=2023|access-date=February 6, 2025}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Norway|artist=Gwen Stefani|title=The Sweet Escape|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2006|certyear=2007|access-date=January 22, 2014}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|artist=Gwen Stefani|title=The Sweet Escape|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2006|certyear=2007|date=November 19, 2007|access-date=March 29, 2015}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Russia|artist=Gwen Stefani|title=The Sweet Escape|award=Platinum|number=2|type=album|relyear=2006|relmonth=11|certyear=2006|access-date=January 4, 2010}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Switzerland|artist=Gwen Stefani|title=The Sweet Escape|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=2006|access-date=January 4, 2010}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Gwen Stefani|title=The Sweet Escape|award=Platinum|type=album|id=7352-2460-2|date=July 22, 2013|access-date=January 4, 2023|salesamount=365,143|salesref=|refname="bpi"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Gwen Stefani|title=Sweet Escape|award=Platinum|number=2|type=album|date=July 28, 2023|access-date=July 28, 2023|salesamount=1,733,000|salesref=|refname="riaa"}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Gwen Stefani}}

{{Good article}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sweet Escape, The}}

Category:2006 albums

Category:Albums produced by Akon

Category:Albums produced by Nellee Hooper

Category:Albums produced by the Neptunes

Category:Albums produced by Sean Garrett

Category:Albums produced by Swizz Beatz

Category:Albums recorded at Capitol Studios

Category:Albums recorded at Electric Lady Studios

Category:Gwen Stefani albums

Category:Interscope Geffen A&M Records albums

Category:Interscope Records albums