Music Review: Gwen Stefani "The Sweet Escape"

Gwen Stefani & Akon

The Sweet Escape

Album: The Sweet Escape

Year: 2007

           Gwen Stefani is stressed and taking it out on her boyfriend in the cute “Sweet Escape.”

             A breezy saxophone and Akon’s “woo-hoo’s” open the single, setting a playful tone. She would love to be somewhere else. Her boss has been hassling her for her numbers. Her sister has been calling her non-stop, asking questions about a birthday for their dad. It’s caused her to be snippy and rotten towards her boyfriend lately. He’s getting tired of it and has been responding with some of his own jabs. It’s bothering her that he won’t let her vent or really listen to her. (“If I could escape I would but/First of all, let me say/I must apologize for acting stank and treating you this way/Cause I've been acting like sour milk all on the floor/It's your fault you didn't shut the refrigerator/Maybe that's the reason I've been acting so cold?”)

            In the chorus, she wishes she could be in a place where it has the weather of Hawaii and streets lined with European couture fashion stores and New York style pizza on every corner. She would be  back to cheery herself again. She apologizes for being moody and promises to make it up to him. (“If I could escape & recreate a place that's my own world/And I could be your favourite girl (forever), perfectly together/Tell me boy now wouldn't that be sweet? (sweet escape)If I could be sweet, I know I've been a real bad girl (I'll try to change)/I didn't mean for you to get hurt (whatsoever)/We can make it better, Tell me boy wouldn't that be sweet? (sweet escape).”

       Akon adds he’s ready to go. (“I want to get away, to our sweet escape/I want to get away.”)

     He’s always been there for her. Even though she’s been going off on him, he manages to calm her down. He makes her feel better by just being around. She tells him they are planning a vacation to spend some time together. She would like for them to reconnect again. She’s been taking him for granted and he’s had enough. She needs him in her life and fears he might break up with her after seeing how mean she can get sometimes. (“You held me down, I'm at my lowest boiling point/Come help me out, I need to get me out of this joint/Come on let's bounce, counting on you to turn me around/Instead of clowning around, let's look for some common ground/So baby, times get a little crazy/I've been gettin' a little lazy, waitin' on you to come save me/I can see that you're angry by the way that you treat me/Hopefully you don't leave me, wanna take you with me.”)

  

         The chorus is sung again.

       Stefani joins in Akon’s section by saying “If I could escape.”

      A part of the first verse is sung again. (“Cause I've been acting like sour milk all on the floor…maybe that's  the reason I've been acting so cold?”)

       The chorus is sung again.

           Akon’s section ends the single.

          Stefani’s mischievous, kittenish vocals are contrite. She’s a kind girlfriend at heart. She’s going through a tough time. She knows her boyfriend her has taken the brunt of her anger and needs him to be understanding. Akon’s contribution, though minimal, is boisterous and infectious.

    The candied synths bubble in the caramel coated arrangement of sugary goodness.

 The delectable “Sweet Escape” is a yummy treat.