 The song 's lyrics discuss an argument between spouses . Stefani apologizes " for acting stank " to her lover . She asks her lover for forgiveness and describes wanting to be a better wife . Although Stefani acknowledges her misdeeds , she nonetheless pushes off some of the blame in a manner that drew comparisons to Monica 's 1995 single " Don 't Take It Personal ( Just One of Dem Days ) " and TLC 's 1999 single " I 'm Good at Being Bad " . In contrast to her songwriting on No Doubt 's Tragic Kingdom ( 1995 ) , Stefani intimates a desire for a pleasant domestic life , most extensively during the chorus . 
