Readers of That Grape Juice know what avid music lovers we are – especially of hits past.

So, as our retrospective segments, ‘From the Vault’ and ‘TGJ Replay,’  allow us the chance to re-spin the gems and jams of yesterday of one artist, our newest feature Chart Rewind serves as a variation of our Retro Rewind assay to salute an entire era of music history.

This week, we’re taking it back to ‘Hollaback Girl’ – the first and only solo Hot 100 #1 hit of Gwen Stefani‘s career.

Join us inside:

In fall 2004, No Doubt fans had plenty of reason to doubt the band’s lead singer, Gwen Stefani, could be a solo star based on the moderate success of her Linda Perry-penned debut single, ‘What You Waiting For?.’

Peaking at #47 on the Hot 100, although the loosely biographical tune – which recounted Stefani’s fears of leaving her multiplatinum-selling group to strike out on her own – didn’t exactly strike a chord with music lovers, it served as the calm before the storm.  Proof of that was delivered after ‘Rich Girl,’ its Eve-assisted follow-up, reached top 10 status on the Hot 100 (#7 peak) much like their first duet, 2001’s ‘Let Me Blow Ya Mind’ (#2 peak).  Having found success with the Dr. Dre-produced ‘Rich,’ Stefani selected another Urban-tinged gem from her album, ‘L.A.M.B.’ (click here to read our ode to the album), to follow as the LP’s third single:  The Neptunes-produced ‘Hollaback Girl.’

The move proved lucrative.

With its cheerleader-inspired chorus, popping percussion pattern, and rap-sung lyrics, the singer delivered one of the catchiest tunes of the decade.  Devoured by radio, by the time its high school-inspired music video arrived it was already well on its way to #1 on the Hot 100.  Found at the summit this week in 2005, ‘Hollaback Girl’ remained atop the tally for four weeks and eventually went Platinum. When the dust settled, the song not only landed at #2 on the year-end charts but also nabbed GRAMMY nominations for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and Record of the Year trophies at the next year’s ceremony (losing it both categories).

Today, it stands as Stefani’s signature tune and the ultimate proof that she could stand on her own as a solo star without the backing of her No Doubt brothers.

As we spin the track one more time, look below to see who joined her in the top 25 this week 15 years ago:

Hot 100 This Week in 2005

Hot 100 This Week

Click here to read this week’s full Hot 100 chart check.

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