Gwen Stefani on ‘Bouquet,’ her inspiration and husband Blake Shelton

Gwen Stefani called her latest album, “Bouquet,” a “love story” dedicated to her husband, Blake Shelton, during a TODAY appearance last November.

Shelton and Stefani met while filming “The Voice” in 2014 and married at Shelton’s Oklahoma ranch in 2021. Stefani said she started writing “Bouquet” when they got engaged.

The couple’s romance is reflected in lyrics like, “You give me everything that I wanted/ I even got your last name.” Shelton, on his end, has written songs seemingly about Stefani, like their 2020 collab “Happy Anywhere.”

“Bouquet” was Stefani’s first album in seven years. She said on TODAY with Hoda & Jenna that Kelly Clarkson’s example made her realize she could keep making music and be a mom.

“We all have a purpose. One of the purposes of my life is to be a wife and a mother. But the only time I feel like I’m really contributing to the world is when I’m writing songs,” Stefani said.

In addition to chatting, Stefani performed “Swallow My Tears” and other songs live as part of TODAY’s Citi Concert Series. Her outfit reflected the album’s “soft rock” tone — a white cascading shirt paired with a leather fringe shawl, cutoff jean shorts and knee-high brown boots.

After her performance, Stefani sat down with TODAY.com to unpack the album, her decades as a performer and, of course, her husband.

Were there any collabs that were especially magical on ‘Bouquet’?

Yes, yes! This album was magical and special and a miracle. It’s a pure miracle I received these songs. I was like, “What? Again? I get more?”

There was one really unexpected collaboration and that was that Blake Shelton hopped on a song called “Purple Irises.” That was pretty special because, you know, everybody wants him.

The other huge collab was this producer called Scott Hendricks who is more of a country producer. But it’s not a country record. It’s a Gwen record.

How have your dreams grown throughout your musical journey?

The longer I get to be part of the world and try to fulfill the purpose — my purpose — of making songs, you want it more and more and more. Because it’s got to be over soon. It’s got to be. Once you get that love, once you got to share your life with people, it’s hard to stop. The dream just keeps getting bigger in a way, and the gratitude keeps getting more as well.

What was it like seeing yourself as a Lego in Pharrell’s movie?

Seeing myself as a Lego is something I never dreamed of or thought would happen in my life. There’s a lot of stuff that happened that I didn’t think would happen, but that was definitely a shock. Thank you, Pharrell. I couldn’t dream that big.

Is there anyone you’ve collaborated with that you’d like to work with again?

There’s never been a time where I haven’t like absolutely enjoyed collaborating. Collaboration is when I feel like I shine the most. That’s when like I feel like I’m the best. I would definitely go back in the studio with any collaborator that I’ve ever worked with and write a song. I love writing music. It is the one thing that makes me feel like I’m worthy of something to be on this planet for. I need to keep pressing that button and try to write songs. You want to collaborate, I’m right here, guys.

What are some of your most cherished memories from your No Doubt days?

My most cherished memory of the early days of No Doubt? Have you seen that movie “Finding Nemo”? That character, Dory? That’s me. I don’t remember anything.

I think one of my cherished memories — if I really, really thought about it — popped in my head right when I was saying that.

I was sitting on the tour bus, and we had been on tour for a while. I was actually making a baby blanket for my sister. I was like sewing this blanket by hand, everyone else was like doing other stuff — I won’t say what — and I looked out the window and I see all these girls coming to the concert. I was like, “Oh my gosh, that girl, she’s dressed like me.” It was just this amazing … how is that happening right now? It just made me feel like impossibly good.

Who is inspiring you in the music industry currently?

I think there’s a lot of good music out there. I kind of went backwards in the last couple of years. As I’ve been writing this record, I rediscovered a lot of the music I was listening to when I was a kid. Back in the station wagon, going to church, listening to soft rock.

One of my favorite new artists that my son turned me on to is Zach Top. I love that record so much; such good lyrics and voice and melody. I’m going to come and see the concert.

What has been your favorite season of ‘The Voice’?

Favorite season of “The Voice”? The season I got to kiss Blake.

Rapid-fire round:

Favorite type of flower bouquet?

Wedding bouquet.

A fashion trend you’d bring back from the ’90s?

Cutoff tank tops.

Oklahoma home-cooked meal or dining out in California?

Oklahoma home-cooked meal. Duh!

Country music or soul music?

That’s really hard! I would probably have to go with … now I’m a grown-up, I’d probably have to say country. Oh my God, they’re going to hate me. I’m in love! What can I say?