Editing Rock Steady (album)

{{short description|2001 studio album by No Doubt}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2023}} {{Use American English|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox album
| name       = Rock Steady
| type       = studio
| artist     = [[No Doubt]]
| cover      = No Doubt - Rock Steady.png
| border     = yes
| released   = {{Start date|2001|12|11}}
| recorded   = July 1999,{{efn|name=Track 12|Track 12}} January–June 2001
| studio     =
* [[Record Plant]] (Los Angeles){{efn|Tracks 2, 6 and 9}}
* Home Recordings (London){{efn|Tracks 2, 6, 10 and 13}}
* Toast (San Francisco){{efn|Track 3}}
* The Sideshack (Los Angeles){{efn|Tracks 3, 4, 6–9, 11 and 13}}
* Geejam ([[Port Antonio]], Jamaica){{efn|Tracks 3, 5 and 8}}
* One Pop ([[Kingston, Jamaica|Kingston]], Jamaica){{efn|Tracks 3 and 5}}
* [[Westlake Recording Studios|Westlake Audio]] (Los Angeles){{efn|Tracks 4, 7 and 11}}
* Guerilla Canyon (Los Angeles){{efn|Track 4}}
* 7 Dials (London){{efn|Track 5}}
* Rothwell Street Flat (London){{efn|Track 6}}
* [[Paisley Park]] ([[Chanhassen, Minnesota]]){{efn|name=Track 12|Track 12}}
* 11AD (Los Angeles){{efn|name=Track 12}}
* [[Olympic Studios|Olympic]] (London){{efn|name=Track 12}}
| genre      = <!--Sourced in Composition section. Do not add unsourced genres --> 
* [[Electropop]]
* [[dancehall]]
* [[Reggae music|reggae]]
* [[New wave music|new wave]]
* [[dance-pop]]
| length     = {{duration|m=49|s=02}}
| label      = [[Interscope Records|Interscope]]
| producer   =
* [[Nellee Hooper]]
* No Doubt
* [[Ric Ocasek]]
* [[William Orbit]]
* [[Prince (musician)|Prince]]
* [[Sly and Robbie|Sly & Robbie]]
* [[Steely & Clevie]]
| prev_title = [[Return of Saturn]]
| prev_year  = 2000
| next_title = [[The Singles 1992–2003]]
| next_year  = 2003
| misc       = {{Singles
  | name        = Rock Steady
  | type        = studio
  | single1     = [[Hey Baby (No Doubt song)|Hey Baby]]
  | single1date = October 29, 2001
  | single2     = [[Hella Good]]
  | single2date = April 13, 2002
  | single3     = [[Underneath It All]]
  | single3date = July 2, 2002
  | single4     = [[Running (No Doubt song)|Running]]
  | single4date = January 27, 2003
  }}
}}
'''''Rock Steady''''' is the fifth studio album by American [[Rock music|rock]] band [[No Doubt]], released on December 11, 2001, by [[Interscope Records]]. The band began writing the album with initial recording sessions in Los Angeles and San Francisco, then traveled to London and Jamaica to work with various performers, songwriters, and producers. [[Sly and Robbie|Sly & Robbie]], [[the Neptunes]], and [[William Orbit]] were among the many artists the band collaborated with on the album.

As a result of these collaborations, ''Rock Steady'' touches on many musical styles, focusing on [[electropop]], [[dancehall]], and [[New wave music|new wave]]. The band attempted to capture the vibe of Jamaican dancehall music, and experimented with writing songs without its standard instrumentation. Lead vocalist [[Gwen Stefani]] wrote her lyrics quickly in comparison to previous records, and dealt with topics ranging from partying to ruminations on her relationship with [[Gavin Rossdale]].

''Rock Steady'' received mostly positive reviews from critics, and was nominated for [[Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album|Best Pop Vocal Album]] at the [[2003 Grammy Awards]]. The album was a commercial comeback for the band, surpassing sales of their previous album ''[[Return of Saturn]]'' (2000). ''Rock Steady'' spawned four [[single (music)|singles]], two of which won the [[Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal]]. ''Rolling Stone'' ranked ''Rock Steady'' number 316 on its 2003 list of "[[Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time|The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time]]".

==Background and production==
Every night on the tour to support their 2000 album ''[[Return of Saturn]]'', No Doubt threw after-show parties where people danced to Jamaican [[dancehall]] music. During a discussion over dinner in late 2000, the band members decided they wanted to explore dancehall-style rhythms for their next album.<ref name="party">{{cite magazine |last=Edwards |first=Gavin |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/no-doubt-make-party-music-20011016 |title=No Doubt Make Party Music |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=October 16, 2001 |access-date=January 21, 2013}}</ref> Drawing inspiration from artists such as [[Bounty Killer]], [[Cutty Ranks]], and Mr. Vegas,<ref name="billboard">{{cite magazine |last=Orshoski |first=Wes |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/77669/no-doubt-feels-rock-steady |title=No Doubt Feels 'Rock Steady' |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=November 21, 2001 |access-date=March 24, 2013}}</ref> the band began work on the album in January 2001 by creating [[beat (music)|beats]] on [[Pro Tools]] at guitarist [[Tom Dumont]]'s apartment. The group often tried recreating beats from other song files on the computer, which resulted in modified versions of the original rhythms.<ref name="party"/> They worked with producer [[Philip Steir]] at Toast Studios in San Francisco during this time, where the beginnings of "[[Hey Baby (No Doubt song)|Hey Baby]]" emerged.<ref name="thesingles">{{cite AV media notes |last1=Montoya |first1=Paris |last2=Lanham |first2=Tom |title=[[The Singles 1992–2003]]|type=liner notes |others=[[No Doubt]] |publisher=[[Interscope Records]] |year=2003 |id=B0001495-02}}</ref> When writing lyrics for previous albums, Stefani typically read works by [[Sylvia Plath]] that would make her depressed "or find different words that inspire me."<ref name="party"/> In contrast, for ''Rock Steady'' she wrote the lyrics quicker and on the spot to meet the goal of writing a song a day. Many of the [[demo (music)|demos]] recorded during these early sessions were used in the final tracks, rather than completely reworking the songs. The band saw this as a way to preserve the "initial spark" from when the songs were conceived.<ref name="billboard"/>

The next month, Stefani left Los Angeles for London to visit boyfriend Rossdale, and the band traveled with her to finish recording "Detective".<ref name="party"/> There, they worked with [[Eurythmics]] member [[David A. Stewart]] and wrote the song "[[Underneath It All]]" in only 10 minutes.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Scaggs |first=Austin |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/no-doubt-records-with-prince-dre-20010524 |title=No Doubt Records with Prince, Dre |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=May 3, 2001 |access-date=January 21, 2013}}</ref> In March, No Doubt traveled to Jamaica, staying at the Blue Lagoon in [[Port Antonio]].<ref name="billboard"/> The band "spent most of the time swimming and getting sunburned and drinking and smoking and recording a little music", according to Dumont.<ref name="rings">{{cite web |last1=vanHorn |first1=Teri |last2=Waller |first2=Curtis |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1444549/no-doubt-recording-new-album-runs-rings-around-saturn/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016225930/http://www.mtv.com/news/1444549/no-doubt-recording-new-album-runs-rings-around-saturn/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |title=No Doubt: Recording New Album Runs Rings Around ''Saturn'' |publisher=[[MTV News]] |date=June 18, 2001 |access-date=October 1, 2017}}</ref> The group would often have [[Red Stripe]] beers or [[rum and coke]]s with [[Jamaican jerk spice|jerk]] food for breakfast;<ref name="party"/><ref name="billboard"/> on one occasion, Dumont passed out from heavy drinking while recording a track.<ref name="party"/> They began work in the mid-afternoon and worked into the night, with an after-party following the session.<ref name="billboard"/> The group collaborated with Sly & Robbie, who produced "Underneath It All" and "[[Hey Baby (No Doubt song)|Hey Baby]]" and brought in dancehall [[Deejay (Jamaican)|toasters]] [[Lady Saw]] and Bounty Killer, and [[Steely & Clevie]], who produced "Start the Fire".

The band returned from Jamaica and resumed work in June 2001, collaborating with producers [[Nellee Hooper]] and [[Timbaland]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nodoubt.com/band/ |title=Timeline |website=NoDoubt.com |access-date=July 13, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090223124634/http://www.nodoubt.com/band/ |archive-date=February 23, 2009}}</ref> The Timbaland track, titled "It's a Fight", and a [[Dr. Dre]]-produced song titled "Wicked Day" were excluded from the album because their [[hip hop music|hip hop]] sounds did not work well on the album.<ref>{{cite web |last=Graff |first=Gary |url=http://music.yahoo.com/no-doubt/news/artist-name-no-doubts-id-1019547-hip-hop-tracks-might-get-future-release--12049816 |title=No Doubt's Hip-Hop Tracks Might Get Future Release |website=[[Yahoo! Music]] |date=October 24, 2001 |access-date=July 13, 2007 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130217032054/http://music.yahoo.com/no-doubt/news/artist-name-no-doubts-id-1019547-hip-hop-tracks-might-get-future-release--12049816 |archive-date=February 17, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=vanHorn |first=Teri |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1450039/dre-timbaland-beats-will-be-absent-on-no-doubt-lp/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016225930/http://www.mtv.com/news/1450039/dre-timbaland-beats-will-be-absent-on-no-doubt-lp/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |title=Dre, Timbaland Beats Will Be Absent On No Doubt LP |publisher=MTV News |date=October 16, 2001 |access-date=October 1, 2017}}</ref> The band then worked with producer and former [[The Cars|Cars]] frontman [[Ric Ocasek]] in late June.<ref name="rings"/> Stefani commented that No Doubt worked with so many people for the record because none were available for the time needed to make an LP, but that she would have liked to work with Ocasek longer.<ref name="heybaby">{{cite web |last1=Wiederhorn |first1=Jon |last2=Rankin |first2=Rebecca |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1450462/no-doubts-hey-baby-pays-tribute-to-drooling-gawking-groupies/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150728001855/http://www.mtv.com/news/1450462/no-doubts-hey-baby-pays-tribute-to-drooling-gawking-groupies/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 28, 2015 |title=No Doubt's 'Hey Baby' Pays Tribute To Drooling, Gawking Groupies |publisher=MTV News |date=November 1, 2001 |access-date=October 1, 2017}}</ref> The band and its [[Artists and repertoire|A&R]] manager Mark Williams chose collaborators based on how well they thought the person would fit the personality of the song that No Doubt had written.<ref name="billboard"/> In late August, the band returned to London for [[Mark "Spike" Stent]] to polish off the songs with [[Audio mixing (recorded music)|audio mixing]].<ref name="party"/>

==Music and lyrics==
The band members often did not play their standard instruments when working on the songs for ''Rock Steady''.<ref name="ocw">{{cite web |last=Wielenga |first=Dave |url=http://www.ocweekly.com/news/the-happy-ones-6388010 |title=The Happy Ones |work=[[OC Weekly]] |date=December 6, 2001 |access-date=October 1, 2017}}</ref> As a result, the album's instrumentation contains less [[guitar]] and [[bass guitar]] than the band's previous work.<ref>{{cite web |last=vanHorn |first=Teri |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1442367/no-doubt-head-to-jamaica-to-stir-up-reggae-sound/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151129141840/http://www.mtv.com/news/1442367/no-doubt-head-to-jamaica-to-stir-up-reggae-sound/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 29, 2015 |title=No Doubt Head To Jamaica To Stir Up Reggae Sound |publisher=MTV News |date=March 30, 2001 |access-date=October 1, 2017}}</ref> Many of the album's sounds come from [[electronic keyboard]] effects, which bassist [[Tony Kanal]] called "[[Devo]]-y bleeps and ''[[Star Wars]]'' noises".<ref name="party"/> Dumont commented that many of the effects came from being unfamiliar with the equipment and "just twiddling knobs".<ref>{{cite web |last=Norris |first=John |url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/n/no_doubt/news_feature_111601/index.jhtml |title=No Doubt: Time To Party |publisher=[[MTV]] |year=2001 |access-date=April 8, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070216074624/http://www.mtv.com/bands/n/no_doubt/news_feature_111601/index.jhtml |archive-date=February 16, 2007}}</ref> Dumont created an effect similar to that of an [[echo chamber]] by placing a microphone inside a metal garbage can with the can's open end facing a [[drum kit]].<ref>"Making of ''Rock Steady''". ''Rock Steady'' bonus CD. [[Interscope Records]]. 2001.</ref> Richard B. Simon of [[MTV News]] asserted that the sound of ''Rock Steady'' was part of the decade nostalgia of the [[1980s retro]] movement.<ref>{{cite web |last=Simon |first=Richard B. |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1452980/rock-steady-show-leaves-no-doubt-about-80s-revival/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016225929/http://www.mtv.com/news/1452980/rock-steady-show-leaves-no-doubt-about-80s-revival/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |title=''Rock Steady'' Show Leaves No Doubt About '80s Revival |publisher=MTV News |date=March 19, 2002 |access-date=October 1, 2017}}</ref>

Stefani's vocals range from innocent to seductive, sometimes transitioning from one to the other within a song.<ref name="pm"/> Her lyrics are based on her relationship with Rossdale, whom she married less than a year after the album's release.<ref name="slant">{{cite web |last=Cinquemani |first=Sal |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/no-doubt-rock-steady |title=No Doubt: Rock Steady |work=[[Slant Magazine]] |date=December 12, 2004 |access-date=April 17, 2013}}</ref> Stefani is openhearted and unreserved as on ''Return of Saturn'', but her approach becomes more immediate and instinctive.<ref name="pm"/> The lyrics are more youthful than those on ''Return of Saturn'' and detail partying and feelings of lust.<ref name="ew">{{cite magazine |last=Browne |first=David |author-link=David Browne (journalist) |url=https://ew.com/article/2001/12/14/rock-steady-4/ |title=Rock Steady |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |issue=630 |date=December 14, 2001 |issn=1049-0434 |access-date=October 1, 2017}}</ref> An overarching theme on the album is Stefani's impatience in the couple's [[long-distance relationship]]. She discusses wanting to see Rossdale on "Making Out" and "Waiting Room", and she reveals her distrust in Rossdale on "In My Head".<ref name="slant"/> On "Hey Baby" she gives an innocuous account of the debauchery between her bandmates and their groupies during parties, as she observes the party.<ref name="heybaby"/> The lyrics of "Underneath It All" question whether or not Rossdale is a good match for her,<ref name="rs"/> an issue resolved in the chorus, which was written based on a journal entry where Stefani wrote the line "You're lovely underneath it all" about Rossdale.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Strauss |first=Neil |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/no-doubt-sex-success-and-staying-together-20020131 |title=No Doubt: Sex, Success and Staying Together |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=January 31, 2002 |access-date=January 21, 2013}}</ref>

==Composition==
Musically, ''Rock Steady'' incorporates [[electropop]],<ref name="slant"/><ref name="stereogum">{{cite web|first= Tom |last= Breihan |title= The Number Ones: Gwen Stefani's "Hollaback Girl"|website= [[Stereogum]] |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2208710/the-number-ones-gwen-stefanis-hollaback-girl/columns/the-number-ones/|date= December 23, 2022|accessdate= December 24, 2022}}</ref> [[dancehall]],<ref name="slant"/><ref name="stereogum"/> [[New wave music|new wave]],<ref name="slant"/> [[reggae]],<ref name="stereogum"/> and [[dance-pop]].<ref name= "Blender Staff 2003">{{cite magazine |last= Blender Staff |first= |date= May 2003 |title= 500 CDs You Must Own Before You Die! |url= https://archive.org/details/blender-2003-04-15-eminem-c/page/n59/mode/2up |magazine= [[Blender (magazine)|Blender]] |location= New York |publisher= [[Dennis Publishing Ltd]] |access-date= April 1, 2023}}</ref> The album maintains many of the styles present in No Doubt's previous work, while introducing influences from the [[music of Jamaica]]. "Hey Baby", "Underneath It All" and "Start the Fire" all feature dancehall and ragga, an [[electronic music|electronic]]-oriented subgenre, as well as guest toasters.<ref name="allmusic">{{cite web |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/rock-steady-mw0000229552 |title=Rock Steady – No Doubt |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=January 5, 2013}}</ref> The latter, written using backward string [[sampling (music)|samples]], also contains the band's traditional [[ska]] and reggae sounds.<ref name="thesingles"/> Ocasek produced the new wave-influenced tracks "Don't Let Me Down" and "Platinum Blonde Life", the former of which was described as sounding "more like the Cars than the Cars".<ref name="list">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/6599207/316_rock_steady |title=316) Rock Steady |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=November 1, 2003 |access-date=March 31, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090501222607/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/6599207/316_rock_steady |archive-date=May 1, 2009}}</ref> "Platinum Blonde Life" was so strongly influenced by the Cars' work that Kanal apologized to Ocasek, though Ocasek apologized back that he had not seen the similarity.<ref name="ocw"/> The [[synth-pop]] ballad "[[Running (No Doubt song)|Running]]" was composed on a [[Yamaha Corporation|Yamaha]] keyboard purchased for Kanal in the 1980s and drew inspiration from the [[Thompson Twins]].<ref name="thesingles"/> Its simple keyboard [[riff]] drew comparisons to the work of [[Depeche Mode]], [[Erasure (duo)|Erasure]], and [[Yazoo (band)|Yazoo]].<ref name="rs">{{cite magazine |last=Sheffield |first=Rob |author-link=Rob Sheffield |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/rock-steady-20020102 |title=Rock Steady |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=January 2, 2002 |access-date=May 17, 2012}}</ref>

Because of the number of collaborations, the album touches on several other styles. "Waiting Room", a song written and sung with [[Prince (musician)|Prince]] for ''Return of Saturn'', evokes his [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]] style over a [[drum and bass]] beat.<ref name="party"/><ref>{{cite web |last=Massa |first=Beth |url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00005QDW1 |title=Rock Steady: No Doubt |website=[[Amazon (company)|Amazon]] |location=United States |access-date=July 13, 2007}}</ref> "[[Hella Good]]", an [[electro-rock]] song co-written with [[hip hop production]] duo [[the Neptunes]], is inspired by the [[funk]] songs of the late 1970s such as [[Queen (band)|Queen]]'s "[[Another One Bites the Dust]]" and the [[Commodores]]' "[[Brick House (song)|Brick House]]".<ref name="billboard"/> William Orbit, best known for his work on [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]]'s [[electronica]]-oriented 1998 album ''[[Ray of Light]]'', incorporates [[trance music]] in the production of "Making Out". "Detective", one of the five tracks produced by Hooper, takes slight influence from [[pop music]].<ref name="pm">{{cite web |last=Miller |first=Eden |url=http://www.popmatters.com/review/nodoubt-rock/ |title=No Doubt: Rock Steady |work=[[PopMatters]] |date=December 10, 2001 |access-date=February 21, 2014}}</ref> The album's title track closes the album by tying together the many musical themes.<ref name="slant"/> It is a slow [[Dub music|dub]] song,<ref name="slant"/> with [[acid house]]-style bleeps and moans.<ref name="stylus">{{cite web |last=Delaney |first=Colleen |url=http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/no-doubt/rock-steady.htm |title=No Doubt – Rock Steady |work=[[Stylus Magazine]] |date=September 1, 2003 |access-date=October 22, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071021054140/http://stylusmagazine.com/reviews/no-doubt/rock-steady.htm |archive-date=October 21, 2007}}</ref>

==Release and promotion==
"[[Hey Baby (No Doubt song)|Hey Baby]]" was released as the lead single from ''Rock Steady'' in October 2001.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/no-doubt-it-s-gold_217618|title=No Doubt! It's Gold|last=Jackson|first=Kevin|website=[[Jamaica Observer]]|date=March 22, 2021|access-date=May 31, 2023}}</ref> The song peaked number at five on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]],<ref name="hot 100">{{cite magazine |url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=no doubt|chart=Hot 100}} |title=No Doubt – Chart history: The Hot 100 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=October 1, 2017}}</ref> while reaching the top five in New Zealand and the United Kingdom, and the top 10 in Australia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, and Norway.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=No+Doubt+feat%2E+Bounty+Killer&titel=Hey+Baby&cat=s |title=No Doubt feat. Bounty Killer – Hey Baby |website=australian-charts.com |access-date=October 1, 2017}}</ref><ref name="UK charts">{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/1680/no-doubt/ |title=No Doubt: Full Official Chart History |publisher=[[Official Charts Company]] |access-date=October 1, 2017}}</ref> The positive response to "Hey Baby" from radio stations and video channels prompted the band to push forward the release of ''Rock Steady'' from December 18 to December 11.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nyrock.com/worldbeat/11_2001/112701.asp |title=No Doubt's ''Rock Steady'' Now Slated for Dec. 11 Release |website=NY Rock |date=November 27, 2001 |access-date=December 3, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070705154211/http://www.nyrock.com/worldbeat/11_2001/112701.asp |archive-date=July 5, 2007}}</ref> The album's second single, "[[Hella Good]]", was released on April 13, 2002, reaching number 13 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref name="hot 100" /> It also charted at number eight in Australia and number 12 in the UK.<ref name="UK charts" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=No+Doubt&titel=Hella+Good&cat=s |title=No Doubt – Hella Good |website=australian-charts.com |access-date=October 1, 2017}}</ref>

"[[Underneath It All]]" was released as the third single on August 15, 2002. It became No Doubt's highest-peaking single in the US to date, reaching number three on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref name="hot 100" /> Internationally, the single saw limited success, reaching number eight in New Zealand, number 18 in the UK and number 28 in Australia.<ref name="UK charts" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=No+Doubt+feat%2E+Lady+Saw&titel=Underneath+It+All&cat=s |title=No Doubt feat. Lady Saw – Underneath It All |website=australian-charts.com |access-date=October 1, 2017}}</ref> "Running" was released as the album's fourth and final single on July 1, 2003. Peaking at number 62, "Running" became the band's lowest-peaking single on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 to date.<ref name="hot 100" />

Following the success of the standard edition, two reissues of ''Rock Steady''—a limited edition and a special edition—were released in October 2002, each of which including a bonus disc. The limited edition, released in North America, features acoustic live performances of "Underneath It All" and "[[Just a Girl]]" recorded at [[1LIVE]] in [[Cologne]], Germany, in June 2002, as well as the music video for "Underneath It All".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/rock-steady-2-song-bonus-cd-mr0001078151 |title=Rock Steady [2 Song Bonus CD] – No Doubt |website=AllMusic |access-date=October 1, 2017}}</ref> The special edition, released in Europe, includes a remix of "Hey Baby" featuring [[Outkast]] and [[Killer Mike]] and another remix by F.A.B.Z.; [[Roger Sanchez]]'s remix of "Hella Good", which won a [[Grammy Award for Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical]] in 2003;<ref name="2003 grammy" /> and a remix of ''Return of Saturn''{{'}}s lead single "[[Ex-Girlfriend (song)|Ex-Girlfriend]]" by [[Philip Steir]], who helped produce "Hey Baby".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/rock-steady-4-song-bonus-cd-mr0001077982 |title=Rock Steady [4 Song Bonus CD] – No Doubt |website=AllMusic |access-date=October 1, 2017}}</ref> The songs from the two-song bonus disc were released through North American [[iTunes Store]]s, and those from the four-song bonus disc were released in other countries. ''[[Rock Steady Live]]'', a live DVD of No Doubt performing in 2002 in support of ''Rock Steady'', was released in November 2003.

==Critical reception==
{{Album ratings
| MC = 69/100<ref name="MC"/>
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="allmusic"/>
| rev2 = ''[[Blender (magazine)|Blender]]''
| rev2Score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="blender"/>
| rev3 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
| rev3Score = B+<ref name="ew"/>
| rev4 = ''[[The Guardian]]''
| rev4Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web |last=Clarke |first=Betty |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2002/feb/15/shopping.artsfeatures2 |title=War rhymes |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=February 15, 2002 |access-date=June 16, 2017}}</ref>
| rev5 = ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''
| rev5Score = {{Rating|2.5|4}}<ref>{{cite web |last=Nichols |first=Natalie |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-dec-09-ca-rack9-story.html |title=No Doubt's in the Mood to Dance; Mobb Deep Feels Like Fighting |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=December 9, 2001 |access-date=October 16, 2016}}</ref>
| rev6 = ''[[NME]]''
| rev6Score = 7/10<ref name="nme"/>
| rev7 = ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]''
| rev7Score= {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Lynskey |first=Dorian |title=Mixed Bizness |magazine=[[Q (magazine)|Q]] |issue=185 |date=December 2001 |page=119 |issn=0955-4955}}</ref>
| rev8 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
| rev8Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="rs"/>
| rev9 = ''[[Slant Magazine]]''
| rev9Score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="slant"/>
| rev10 = ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]''
| rev10Score = 8/10<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Berrett |first=Jesse |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wXGw14ml_M4C&pg=PA105 |title=Hollywood Squares |magazine=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]] |volume=18 |issue=1 |date=January 2002 |pages=105–106 |issn=0886-3032 |via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref>
}}
''Rock Steady'' received generally positive reviews from music critics. At [[Metacritic]], which assigns a [[Standard score|normalized]] rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an [[Weighted arithmetic mean|average]] score of 69, based on 15 reviews.<ref name="MC">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/rock-steady/no-doubt |title=Reviews for Rock Steady by No Doubt |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=May 17, 2012}}</ref> ''[[Rolling Stone]]''{{'}}s [[Rob Sheffield]] wrote it was "impressive to hear No Doubt summon the musical imagination to transcend the formula that used to imprison them".<ref name="rs"/> [[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]] of [[AllMusic]] referred to the album as "a good, hooky, stylish mainstream pop record".<ref name="allmusic"/> [[David Browne (journalist)|David Browne]] of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' remarked that there was "something oddly flimsy" about No Doubt that prevented it from becoming a milestone in pop music, but that the band's "party-throwing skills improve with each new gathering."<ref name="ew"/> Colleen Delaney of ''[[Stylus Magazine]]'' commented that the band sounded like it had "growing pains" and was unsure of its place in mainstream rock, predicting that No Doubt would either become a singles band "or go all [[Radiohead]] on us and make an album of [[avant-garde music|avant]]-[[jazz]]-[[electro (music)|electro]]-acid-funk-[[polka]]."<ref name="stylus"/>

Many reviewers focused on the large number of styles that ''Rock Steady'' incorporates. Eden Miller of ''[[PopMatters]]'', noting that ''Rock Steady'' maintains the introspection of ''Return of Saturn'' without the latter's "longing and wistfulness", stated that "it is to No Doubt's credit...that they manage to keep the album together with little more than their collective personalities."<ref name="pm"/> ''[[Blender (magazine)|Blender]]'', however, called it "an intermittently engaging but overall shapeless collection...the product of happy-go-lucky musicians who once cavorted in bad track suits but now spend their days commuting between London, Jamaica and Los Angeles seeking the wisdom of expensive studio geeks."<ref name="blender">{{cite magazine |last=Howe |first=Rupert |url=http://blender.com/reviews/review_1117.html |title=No Doubt: Rock Steady |magazine=[[Blender (magazine)|Blender]] |issue=4 |date=December 2001 – January 2002 |page=112 |issn=1534-0554 |access-date=April 8, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040618020109/http://blender.com/reviews/review_1117.html |archive-date=June 18, 2004}}</ref> Alex Needham of ''[[NME]]'' viewed the album's "enormous waterfront of styles" positively, noting that it had many strong potential singles, but found that some of the "empty-headed guitar pop" on the second half of the album spoiled the listening experience.<ref name="nme">{{cite web |last=Needham |first=Alex |url=http://www.nme.com/reviews/no-doubt/5966 |title=No Doubt : Rock Steady |work=[[NME]] |date=January 7, 2002 |access-date=January 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225102746/http://www.nme.com/reviews/no-doubt/5966 |archive-date=February 25, 2014}}</ref> Kimberly Reyes of ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' stated that ''Rock Steady'' was able to integrate ska, pop, New Wave, and dancehall "without sounding contrived or chaotic". Reyes added that though the album lacked the energy and sales of No Doubt's 1995 breakthrough album ''[[Tragic Kingdom]]'', ''Rock Steady'' was "their greatest effort to date...the sound of band dropping pretense to realize its potential."<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Reyes |first=Kimberly |url=http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,194186,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208183921/http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,194186,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 8, 2008 |title=Review: "Rock Steady," by No Doubt |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=January 15, 2002 |access-date=November 20, 2007}}</ref> Sal Cinquemani of ''[[Slant Magazine]]'' commenting that "[n]ot since [[Blondie (band)|Blondie]] [...] has a rock act so effortlessly, irreverently, and fashionably skidded across so many different genre boundaries at one time."<ref name="slant"/> Lisa Oliver of [[LAUNCHcast]] said that "even with so many producers attempting to steer this bus along the superstar highway, they end up in a better-than-most parking lot".<ref>{{cite web |last=Oliver |first=Lisa |url=http://uk.launch.yahoo.com/l_reviews_a/23924.html |title=No Doubt – 'Rock Steady' |website=Yahoo! Music |date=February 14, 2002 |access-date=April 8, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080328122454/http://uk.launch.yahoo.com/l_reviews_a/23924.html |archive-date=March 28, 2008}}</ref>

==Accolades==
''Rock Steady'' was ranked number 316 on ''Rolling Stone''{{'}}s list of "[[Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time|The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time]]" in November 2003.<ref name="list"/> ''Blender'' included the album on its April 2003 list of "500 CDs You Must Own Before You Die!".<ref>{{cite web |last=Aizlewood |first=John |url=http://www.blender.com/guide/articles.aspx?id=360 |title=500 CDs You Must Own Before You Die! |work=Blender |date=April 2003 |access-date=September 21, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312003355/http://www.blender.com/guide/articles.aspx?id=360 |archive-date=March 12, 2007}}</ref> In June 2003, it was included on ''Slant Magazine''{{'}}s list of "50 Essential Pop Albums"<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/features/article/vital-pop-50-essential-pop-albums |title=Vital Pop: 50 Essential Pop Albums |work=Slant Magazine |date=June 30, 2003 |access-date=October 1, 2017}}</ref>

"Hey Baby" won the award for [[Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals|Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals]] at the [[45th Annual Grammy Awards]], while ''Rock Steady'' and "Hella Good" received nominations for [[Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album|Best Pop Vocal Album]] and [[Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording|Best Dance Recording]], respectively.<ref name="2003 grammy">{{cite web |last=D'angelo |first=Joe |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1470107/norah-jones-sweeps-grammys-boss-wins-three-avril-shut-out/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190628184235/http://www.mtv.com/news/1470107/norah-jones-sweeps-grammys-boss-wins-three-avril-shut-out/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 28, 2019 |title=Norah Jones Sweeps Grammys, Boss Wins Three, Avril Shut Out |publisher=MTV News |date=February 24, 2003 |access-date=October 1, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2003/music/news/45th-annual-grammy-award-nominations-1117878286/ |title=45th Annual Grammy Award Nominations |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=January 7, 2003 |access-date=October 1, 2017}}</ref> At [[46th Annual Grammy Awards|the following year's ceremony]], "Underneath It All" earned the band their second consecutive Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/09/arts/the-grammy-award-winners-of-2004.html |title=The Grammy Award Winners of 2004 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=February 9, 2004 |access-date=October 1, 2017}}</ref>

==Commercial performance==
[[Image:NoDoubtRockSteadyTour.jpg|right|thumb|Stefani, [[Stephen Bradley (musician)|Stephen Bradley]], and Kanal performing on the ''Rock Steady'' Tour in March 2002]]

''NME'' reviewer Alex Needham compared the album's revival of No Doubt's popularity to the performance of Madonna's 1998 album ''Ray of Light''.<ref name="nme"/> ''Rock Steady'' debuted at number nine on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], selling 254,000 copies in its first week.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Martens |first=Todd |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/77380/creed-continues-cruise-on-top |title=Creed Continues Cruise On Top |magazine=Billboard |date=December 20, 2001 |access-date=March 24, 2013}}</ref> ''Rock Steady'' was certified double platinum by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA) on October 11, 2002,<ref name="RIAA"/> and by July 2012, it had sold 2,842,000 copies in the United States.<ref name="US sales">{{cite magazine |last=Trust |first=Gary |url=http://www.billboard.com/#/column/chartbeat/ask-billboard-olympic-sized-gold-medal-records-1007686152.story?page=4 |title=Ask Billboard: Olympic-Sized Gold (Medal) Records |magazine=Billboard |date=July 29, 2012 |access-date=February 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130118000038/http://www.billboard.com/%23/column/chartbeat/ask-billboard-olympic-sized-gold-medal-records-1007686152.story?page=4 |archive-date=January 18, 2013}}</ref>

The album was moderately successful outside the US. In Australia, it peaked at number 15 on the [[ARIA Charts|ARIA Albums Chart]] and spent nine non-consecutive weeks in the top 40.<ref name="aus"/> The album was certified gold by the [[Australian Recording Industry Association]] (ARIA).<ref name="ARIA"/> The album reached number 43 on the [[UK Albums Chart]],<ref name="uk"/> and was certified gold by the [[British Phonographic Industry]] (BPI) on July 22, 2013.<ref name="BPI"/> It was also certified platinum by the [[Canadian Recording Industry Association]] (CRIA) on September 3, 2002.<ref name="CRIA"/> As of November 2003, ''Rock Steady'' had sold three million copies worldwide.<ref name="list"/>

==Legacy and influence==
When singer-songwriter [[Jewel (singer)|Jewel]] released her fifth album ''[[0304]]'' in June 2003, reinventing and sexualizing her public image, music critics identified ''Rock Steady'' and ''Ray of Light'' as influences on the album. Slant Magazine compared ''0304''{{'}}s retro tribute to new wave music with that on ''Rock Steady''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Cinquemani |first=Sal |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/jewel-0304 |title=Jewel: 0304 |work=Slant Magazine |date=June 6, 2003 |access-date=February 21, 2014}}</ref> ''[[Blender (magazine)|Blender]]'' commented that Jewel had "brushed up on two sacred pop texts, the Manual of Madonna and the Gospel According to Gwen". The magazine compared her use of a more restrained, throaty purr to Stefani's vocals and noted ''0304''{{'}}s use of "jumpy bubblegum choruses and ''boop-boop-beeping'' keyboards" as descendants of No Doubt's production.<ref>{{cite web |last=Light |first=Alan |url=http://www.blender.com/guide/reviews.aspx?id=1884 |title=Jewel: 0304 Review |work=Blender |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041027001518/http://www.blender.com/guide/reviews.aspx?id=1884 |archive-date=October 27, 2004 |access-date=October 10, 2007}}</ref>

The cover art of fellow rock band Paramore’s second studio album ''[[Riot!]]'' (2007) resembles that of ''Rock Steady'', featuring a similar word art design.

==Track listing==
{{Track listing
| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title1 = Intro
| length1 = 0:27

| title2 = [[Hella Good]]
| writer2 = {{hlist|[[Gwen Stefani]]|[[Pharrell Williams]]|[[Chad Hugo]]|[[Tony Kanal]]}}
| extra2 = {{hlist|[[Nellee Hooper]]|[[No Doubt]]}}
| length2 = 4:02

| title3 = [[Hey Baby (No Doubt song)|Hey Baby]]
| note3 = featuring [[Bounty Killer]]
| writer3 = {{hlist|Stefani|Kanal|[[Tom Dumont]]|[[Bounty Killer|Rodney Price]]}}
| extra3 = {{hlist|[[Sly and Robbie|Sly & Robbie]]|No Doubt|[[Spike Stent|Mark "Spike" Stent]]{{ref|a|[a]}}|[[Philip Steir]]{{ref|a|[a]}}}}
| length3 = 3:26

| title4 = [[Making Out (song)|Making Out]]
| writer4 = {{hlist|Stefani|Kanal|Dumont}}
| extra4 = {{hlist|[[William Orbit]]|No Doubt}}
| length4 = 4:14

| title5 = [[Underneath It All]]
| note5 = featuring [[Marion Hall|Lady Saw]]
| writer5 = {{hlist|Stefani|[[Dave Stewart (Eurythmics)|David Stewart]]}}
| extra5 = {{hlist|Sly & Robbie|No Doubt|Stent{{ref|a|[a]}}}}
| length5 = 5:02

| title6 = Detective
| writer6 = {{hlist|Stefani|Kanal|Dumont}}
| extra6 = {{hlist|Hooper|No Doubt}}
| length6 = 2:53

| title7 = Don't Let Me Down
| writer7 = {{hlist|Stefani|Kanal|Dumont}}
| extra7 = {{hlist|[[Ric Ocasek]]|No Doubt|Stent{{ref|a|[a]}}}}
| length7 = 4:08

| title8 = Start the Fire
| writer8 = {{hlist|Stefani|Kanal|Dumont}}
| extra8 = {{hlist|[[Steely & Clevie]]|No Doubt}}
| length8 = 4:08

| title9 = [[Running (No Doubt song)|Running]]
| writer9 = {{hlist|Stefani|Kanal}}
| extra9 = {{hlist|Hooper|No Doubt}}
| length9 = 4:01

| title10 = In My Head
| writer10 = {{hlist|Stefani|Kanal|Dumont}}
| extra10 = {{hlist|Hooper|No Doubt}}
| length10 = 3:25

| title11 = Platinum Blonde Life
| writer11 = {{hlist|Stefani|Kanal|Dumont}}
| extra11 = {{hlist|No Doubt|Ocasek|Stent{{ref|a|[a]}}}}
| length11 = 3:27

| title12 = Waiting Room
| writer12 = {{hlist|[[Prince (musician)|Prince]]|Stefani|Kanal|Dumont}}
| extra12 = {{hlist|Prince|No Doubt|Stent{{ref|a|[a]}}}}
| length12 = 4:27

| title13 = Rock Steady
| writer13 = {{hlist|Stefani|Kanal}}
| extra13 = {{hlist|Hooper|No Doubt}}
| length13 = 5:22
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = US and Canadian [[iTunes Store]] bonus tracks<ref>{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/rock-steady/id389763724 |title=Rock Steady by No Doubt |website=[[iTunes Store]] |location=United States |access-date=February 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521230306/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/rock-steady/id389763724 |archive-date=May 21, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/rock-steady/id389763724 |title=Rock Steady by No Doubt |website=iTunes Store |location=Canada |access-date=February 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140619050256/https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/rock-steady/id389763724 |archive-date=June 19, 2014}}</ref>

| title14 = Underneath It All
| note14 = Radio [[1LIVE]] acoustic version
| writer14 = {{hlist|Stefani|Stewart}}
| length14 = 3:45

| title15 = [[Just a Girl]]
| note15 = Radio 1LIVE acoustic version
| writer15 = {{hlist|Stefani|Dumont}}
| length15 = 3:34
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = International iTunes Store limited edition bonus tracks<ref>{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/rock-steady-limited-edition/id14191003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016225926/https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/rock-steady-limited-edition/id14191003 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |title=Rock Steady (Limited Edition) by No Doubt |website=iTunes Store |location=United Kingdom |access-date=February 21, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/fr/album/rock-steady-limited-edition/id14191003?l=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140619053820/https://itunes.apple.com/fr/album/rock-steady-limited-edition/id14191003?l=en |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 19, 2014 |title=Rock Steady (Limited Edition) by No Doubt |website=iTunes Store |location=France |access-date=February 21, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/rock-steady-limited-edition/id14191003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140619061310/https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/rock-steady-limited-edition/id14191003 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 19, 2014 |title=Rock Steady (Limited Edition) by No Doubt |website=iTunes Store |location=Australia |access-date=February 21, 2014}}</ref>

| title1 = Hey Baby
| note1 = Stank Remix featuring [[Outkast]] and [[Killer Mike]]
| writer1 = {{hlist|Stefani|Kanal|Dumont|Price}}
| length1 = 4:07

| title2 = Hey Baby
| note2 = Fabian Remix
| writer2 = {{hlist|Stefani|Kanal|Dumont|Price}}
| length2 = 3:47

| title3 = Hella Good
| note3 = [[Roger Sanchez|Roger]]'s Release Yourself Mix
| writer3 = {{hlist|Stefani|Williams|Hugo|Kanal}}
| length3 = 7:14

| title4 = [[Ex-Girlfriend (song)|Ex-Girlfriend]]
| note4 = Philip Steir Remix
| writer4 = {{hlist|Stefani|Dumont|Kanal}}
| length4 = 5:10
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = US limited edition bonus disc<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Rock Steady |type=US limited edition liner notes |others=No Doubt |publisher=Interscope Records |year=2002 |id=0694935512}}</ref>

| title1 = Underneath It All
| note1 = Radio 1LIVE acoustic version
| writer1 = {{hlist|Stefani|Stewart}}
| length1 = 3:44

| title2 = Just a Girl
| note2 = Radio 1LIVE acoustic version
| writer2 = {{hlist|Stefani|Dumont}}
| length2 = 3:32

| title3 = Underneath It All
| note3 = music video
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = UK & EU special/limited edition bonus disc<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Rock Steady |type=UK special edition liner notes |others=[[No Doubt]] |publisher=[[Polydor Records]] |year=2002 |id=493 516–2}}</ref>

| title1 = Hey Baby
| note1 = Stank Remix featuring Outkast and Killer Mike) (dirty version
| writer1 = {{hlist|Stefani|Kanal|Dumont|Price}}
| length1 = 4:10

| title2 = Hey Baby
| note2 = The Homeboy Mix
| writer2 = {{hlist|Stefani|Kanal|Dumont|Price}}
| length2 = 3:50

| title3 = Hella Good
| note3 = Roger's Release Yourself Mix
| writer3 = {{hlist|Stefani|Williams|Hugo|Kanal}}
| length3 = 7:16

| title4 = Ex-Girlfriend
| note4 = The Psycho Ex Mix
| writer4 = {{hlist|Stefani|Dumont|Kanal}}
| length4 = 5:13

| title5 = Hey Baby
| note5 = music video

| title6 = Hella Good
| note6 = music video

| title7 = Underneath It All
| note7 = music video
}}

===Notes===
* {{sup|{{note|a|[a]}}}} signifies an additional producer

==Personnel==
Credits adapted from the liner notes of ''Rock Steady''.<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Rock Steady |type=liner notes |others=No Doubt |publisher=Interscope Records |year=2001 |id=0694931582}}</ref>

===No Doubt===
* [[Gwen Stefani]] – vocals {{small|(all tracks)}}; additional programming {{small|(tracks 4, 13)}}
* [[Tony Kanal]] – bass guitar, keyboards {{small|(all tracks)}}; programming {{small|(track 3)}}; additional programming {{small|(tracks 4, 6, 9, 13)}}; saxophone {{small|(track 5)}}
* [[Tom Dumont]] – guitar, keyboards {{small|(all tracks)}}; programming {{small|(tracks 3, 7, 8, 11)}}; additional programming {{small|(tracks 4, 6, 9, 13)}}
* [[Adrian Young]] – drums

===Additional musicians===
{{Div col}}
* [[Bounty Killer]] – vocals {{small|(track 3)}}
* Fabien Waltmann – programming {{small|(tracks 2, 6, 9, 10, 13)}}
* [[Sly Dunbar]] – programming {{small|(track 3)}}
* [[Philip Steir]] – additional programming {{small|(track 3)}}
* Sean Spuehler – programming {{small|(track 4)}}
* Eric White – additional programming {{small|(track 4)}}
* [[Lady Saw]] – vocals {{small|(track 5)}}
* Ned Douglas – programming {{small|(track 5)}}
* [[Gabrial McNair]] – [[Clavinet]], trombone {{small|(track 5)}}; keyboards {{small|(track 8)}}
* [[Sly and Robbie|Robbie Shakespeare]] – additional melodic bass {{small|(track 5)}}
* Andy Potts – saxophone {{small|(track 5)}}
* Django Stewart – saxophone {{small|(track 5)}}
* [[Ric Ocasek]] – keyboards {{small|(tracks 7, 11)}}
* [[Prince (musician)|Prince]] – keyboards, background vocals {{small|(track 12)}}
{{Div col end}}

===Technical===
{{Div col}}
* [[Nellee Hooper]] – production {{small|(tracks 2, 6, 9, 10, 13)}}
* [[No Doubt]] – production
* [[Greg Collins (record producer)|Greg Collins]] – recording {{small|(tracks 2, 6, 9)}}
* Simon Gogerly – additional engineering {{small|(tracks 2, 6, 9)}}
* Anthony Kilhoffer – engineering assistance {{small|(tracks 2, 6, 9)}}
* Ian Rossiter – engineering assistance {{small|(tracks 2, 6, 9, 10)}}
* [[Sly and Robbie|Sly & Robbie]] – production {{small|(tracks 3, 5)}}
* [[Spike Stent|Mark "Spike" Stent]] – additional production {{small|(tracks 3, 5, 7, 11, 12)}}; mixing{{efn|Mixed at The Mix Suite, [[Olympic Studios]] (London)}} {{small|(all tracks)}}
* Dan Chase – recording {{small|(tracks 3, 5, 8)}}
* Philip Steir – additional production {{small|(track 3)}}
* Count – additional engineering {{small|(track 3)}}
* {{Not a typo|Tkae}} Mendez – additional engineering {{small|(tracks 3, 5, 8)}}
* Rory Baker – additional engineering {{small|(tracks 3, 5)}}
* Toby Whalen – engineering assistance {{small|(tracks 3, 5, 8)}}
* Tom Dumont – additional recording {{small|(tracks 3, 4, 6–9, 11, 13)}}
* Tony Kanal – additional recording {{small|(tracks 3, 4, 6–9, 11, 13)}}
* Brian Jobson – executive production {{small|(tracks 3, 5, 8)}}
* [[Wayne Jobson]] – executive production {{small|(tracks 3, 5, 8)}}
* [[William Orbit]] – production {{small|(track 4)}}
* [[Clif Norrell]] – recording {{small|(track 4)}}
* Jeff Kanan – engineering assistance {{small|(tracks 4, 7, 11)}}
* Jennifer Young – engineering assistance {{small|(track 4)}}
* Ric Ocasek – production {{small|(tracks 7, 11)}}
* Karl Derfler – recording {{small|(tracks 7, 11)}}
* Juan Pablo Velasco – engineering assistance {{small|(tracks 7, 11)}}
* [[Steely & Clevie]] – production {{small|(track 8)}}
* Prince – production {{small|(track 12)}}
* Hans-Martin Buff – recording {{small|(track 12)}}
* [[Alain Johannes]] – additional engineering {{small|(track 12)}}
* Steve Mandel – engineering assistance {{small|(track 12)}}
* [[Wayne Wilkins]] – mix programming
* Paul "P Dub" Watson – mix programming
* Johnny Gould – additional mix programming
* Matt Fields – mix engineering assistance
* [[David Treahearn]] – mix engineering assistance
* Keith Uddin – mix engineering assistance
* [[Brian Gardner|Brian "Big Bass" Gardner]] – mastering{{efn|Mastered at [[Bernie Grundman Mastering]] (Hollywood, California)}}
{{Div col end}}

===Artwork===
* Gwen Stefani – album art concept
* Jolie Clemens – album design, layout
* Frank Ockenfels – collage photography
* Shawn Mortensen – back cover photography
* Cindy Cooper – album package coordination
* Ekaterina Kenney – album package coordination

==Charts==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Weekly chart performance for ''Rock Steady''
! scope="col"| Chart (2001–2003)
! scope="col"| Peak<br>position
|-
{{album chart|Australia|15|artist=No Doubt|album=Rock Steady|rowheader=true|access-date=July 13, 2007|refname="aus"}}
|-
{{album chart|Austria|12|artist=No Doubt|album=Rock Steady|rowheader=true|access-date=April 8, 2007}}
|-
! scope="row"| Belgian Alternative Albums ([[Ultratop]] Flanders)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/album/f6c/No-Doubt-Rock-Steady |title=No Doubt – Rock Steady |language=nl |publisher=[[Ultratop]] |access-date=January 5, 2013}}</ref>
| 30
|-
! scope="row"| [[Canadian Albums Chart|Canadian Albums]] ([[Nielsen SoundScan]])<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Hits of the World |magazine=Billboard |volume=114 |issue=23 |date=June 8, 2002 |issn=0006-2510}}</ref>
| 21
|-
{{album chart|Netherlands|66|artist=No Doubt|album=Rock Steady|rowheader=true|access-date=July 16, 2011}}
|-
! scope="row"| [[European Top 100 Albums|European Albums]] (''[[Music & Media]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-UK/Music/Archive-Music-Media-IDX/IDX/00s/02/MM-2002-02-02-OCR-Page-0010.pdf |title=European Top 100 Albums |magazine=[[Music & Media]] |volume=20 |issue=6 |date=February 2, 2002 |page=10 |oclc=29800226 |via=World Radio History}}</ref>
| 40
|-
{{album chart|Finland|34|artist=No Doubt|album=Rock Steady|rowheader=true|access-date=October 1, 2017}}
|-
{{album chart|France|79|artist=No Doubt|album=Rock Steady|rowheader=true|access-date=April 8, 2007}}
|-
{{album chart|Germany4|13|id=3948|artist=No Doubt|album=Rock Steady|rowheader=true|access-date=October 1, 2017}}
|-
{{album chart|Hungary|30|year=2002|week=28|rowheader=true|access-date=October 1, 2017}}
|-
{{album chart|Ireland2|53|artist=No Doubt|rowheader=true|access-date=December 1, 2020}}
|-
! scope="row"| Japanese Albums ([[Oricon Albums Chart|Oricon]])<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/121370/ranking/cd_album/ |script-title=ja:ノー・ダウトのアルバム売り上げランキング |trans-title=No Doubt album sales ranking |language=ja |publisher=[[Oricon]] |access-date=January 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131208001220/http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/121370/ranking/cd_album/ |archive-date=December 8, 2013}}</ref>
| 48
|-
{{album chart|New Zealand|17|artist=No Doubt|album=Rock Steady|rowheader=true|access-date=April 8, 2007}}
|-
{{album chart|Norway|8|artist=No Doubt|album=Rock Steady|rowheader=true|access-date=July 16, 2011}}
|-
{{album chart|Scotland|39|date=20020224|rowheader=true|access-date=October 1, 2017}}
|-
{{album chart|Sweden|52|artist=No Doubt|album=Rock Steady|rowheader=true|access-date=April 8, 2007}}
|-
{{album chart|Switzerland|33|artist=No Doubt|album=Rock Steady|rowheader=true|access-date=April 8, 2007}}
|-
{{album chart|UK2|43|date=20020217|rowheader=true|access-date=October 1, 2017|refname="uk"}}
|-
{{album chart|Billboard200|9|artist=No Doubt|rowheader=true|access-date=October 1, 2017}}
|}
{{col-2}}

===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ 2002 year-end chart performance for ''Rock Steady''
! scope="col"| Chart (2002)
! scope="col"| Position
|-
! scope="row"| Australian Albums (ARIA)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-100-albums-2002.htm |title=ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Albums 2002 |publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association]] |access-date=April 14, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070405181319/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-100-albums-2002.htm |archive-date=April 5, 2007}}</ref>
| 97
|-
! scope="row"| Canadian Albums (Nielsen SoundScan)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/200-1_2002.html |title=Canada's Top 200 Albums of 2002 |website=[[Jam!]] |date=January 14, 2003 |access-date=March 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040812030723/http://www.jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/200-1_2002.html |archive-date=August 12, 2004}}</ref>
| 43
|-
! scope="row"| Canadian Alternative Albums (Nielsen SoundScan)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/2002_alt.html |title=Canada's Top 200 Alternative albums of 2002 |website=Jam! |date=January 14, 2003 |access-date=March 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031204012816/http://jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/2002_alt.html |archive-date=December 4, 2003}}</ref>
| 11
|-
! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2002/top-billboard-200-albums/ |title=Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2002 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=October 1, 2017}}</ref>
| 25
|}

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ 2003 year-end chart performance for ''Rock Steady''
! scope="col"| Chart (2003)
! scope="col"| Position
|-
! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2003/top-billboard-200-albums/ |title=Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2003 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=July 14, 2021}}</ref>
| 151
|}

===Decade-end charts===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Decade-end chart performance for ''Rock Steady''
! scope="col"| Chart (2000–2009)
! scope="col"| Position
|-
! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/decadeendcharts/2009/billboard-200-albums |title=Decade End Charts – Billboard 200 Albums |website=Billboard.biz |year=2009 |access-date=February 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110204062700/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/decadeendcharts/2009/billboard-200-albums |archive-date=February 4, 2011}}</ref>
| 166
|}
{{col-end}}

==Certifications==
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for ''Rock Steady''}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|artist=No Doubt|title=Rock Steady|award=Gold|type=album|certyear=2002|access-date=April 14, 2007|refname="ARIA"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=No Doubt|title=Rock Steady|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=2001|certyear=2002|date=September 3, 2002|access-date=October 1, 2017|refname="CRIA"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=South Africa|title=Rock Steady|artist=No Doubt|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2001|certyear=2002|certref=<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mi2n.com/print.php3?id=32544 |title=Music Divas & Rock Bands Top South African Certifications |work=Music Industry News Network |date=February 5, 2002 |access-date=August 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531184732/http://www.mi2n.com/print.php3?id=32544 |archive-date=May 31, 2014}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=No Doubt|title=Rock Steady|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2001|certyear=2013|id=5583-1690-2|date=July 22, 2013|access-date=April 3, 2022|refname="BPI"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=No Doubt|title=Rock Steady|award=Platinum|number=2|type=album|relyear=2001|certyear=2002|date=October 11, 2002|access-date=October 1, 2017|salesamount=2,842,000|salesref=<ref name="US sales"/>|refname="RIAA"}}
{{Certification Table Bottom}}

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{No Doubt}}

{{Featured article}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rock Steady (Album)}}
[[Category:2001 albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Nellee Hooper]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Philip Steir]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Prince (musician)]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Ric Ocasek]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Sly and Robbie]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Steely & Clevie]]
[[Category:Albums produced by William Orbit]]
[[Category:Albums recorded at Olympic Sound Studios]]
[[Category:Dancehall albums]]
[[Category:Electropop albums]]
[[Category:Interscope Geffen A&M Records albums]]
[[Category:Interscope Records albums]]
[[Category:No Doubt albums]]