{{short description|1996 single by No Doubt}} {{good article}} {{Infobox song | name = Excuse Me Mr. | cover = noedoubtexcusememr.jpg | caption = Disc appearance for US promo CD single | alt = A blank compact disc displaying the song's title and respective artist. | type = single | artist = [[No Doubt]] | album = [[Tragic Kingdom]] | B-side = | released = June 21, 1997 (Japan)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/121370/products/163006/1/|title=エクスキューズ・ミー・ミスター {{!}} ノー・ダウト|trans-title=Excuse Me Mister {{!}} No Doubt|publisher=[[Oricon]]|language=ja|access-date=August 31, 2023}}</ref> | recorded = 1995 | studio = | venue = | genre = * [[Ska]] * [[ska punk]] * [[punk rock]] | length = {{duration|m=3|s=04}} | label = * [[Interscope Records|Interscope]] * [[Trauma Records|Trauma]] | writer = * [[Gwen Stefani]] * [[Tom Dumont]] | producer = [[Matthew Wilder]] | prev_title = [[Sunday Morning (No Doubt song)|Sunday Morning]] | prev_year = 1997 | next_title = [[Happy Now? (No Doubt song)|Happy Now?]] | next_year = 1997 | misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|it1aZBPuH4w|"Excuse Me Mr."}}}} }}
"'''Excuse Me Mr.'''" is a song by American band [[No Doubt]] for their third studio album, ''[[Tragic Kingdom]]'' (1995). The song was written by [[Gwen Stefani]] and [[Tom Dumont]], while produced by [[Matthew Wilder]]. It was released as a US radiosingle from the album on August 21, 1996, and released commercially in Japan in 1997. The song has also been included on the band's 2003 greatest hits album, ''[[The Singles 1992–2003]]''. Musically, the former is a [[Rock music|rock]]-influenced [[ska]] and [[ska punk]] track with lyrics describing a woman trying to get the attention of a man. A [[Country music|country]] version of the song was also created but never released. The single received positive reviews from music critics who labelled it a successful breakup song and as one of the best tracks on ''Tragic Kingdom''.
Commercially, "Excuse Me Mr." had a minimal impact on record charts, reaching the top 40 of the alternative charts in both the United States and Canada and peaking at number 11 on the [[Official New Zealand Music Chart]]. [[Sophie Muller]] directed the accompanying music video in January 1997. The visual features two different storylines, with the first showing No Doubt playing the song to an empty room that eventually becomes crowded with paparazzi, while the second storyline has Stefani tying herself to train tracks in the hopes that a man will come to her rescue. No Doubt has performed the song for a number of live appearances, including during their 1995–97 [[Tragic Kingdom World Tour]], on ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' in December 1996 while serving as the guest musical act, and at the band's Return of Saturn Tour (2000).
== Background and release == [[File:No Doubt at Summer Tour 8.jpg|thumb|left|260px|Two versions of "Excuse Me Mr." were created prior to its inclusion on ''Tragic Kingdom''. No Doubt pushed for the release of the [[punk rock]] version while the song's producer, [[Matthew Wilder]], preferred the [[Country music|country]] version.|alt=A color photograph of No Doubt posing together on stage after a performance.]] "Excuse Me Mr." was written by [[Gwen Stefani]] and [[Tom Dumont]], while produced by [[Matthew Wilder]]. It was featured as the second track on No Doubt's third studio album, ''Tragic Kingdom'', which was released on October 10, 1995.<ref name="Tragic Kingdom AllMusic review">{{cite web |last1=Erlewine |first1=Stephen Thomas |author-link1=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |title=No Doubt – ''Tragic Kingdom'' |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/tragic-kingdom-mw0000179531 |access-date=June 30, 2018 |website=AllMusic |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702011546/https://www.allmusic.com/album/tragic-kingdom-mw0000179531 |archive-date=July 2, 2018 }}</ref> The album was the band's first record with minimal contributions from Gwen's brother, [[Eric Stefani]], who had left the group due to creative differences earlier in 1995.<ref name="Rolling Stone interview 1997">{{cite magazine |last=Heath |first=Chris |date=May 1, 1997 |title=Snap! Crackle! Pop! |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |issue=759 |location=New York |issn=0035-791X |oclc=1787396}}</ref><ref name="Backstage magazine interview">{{cite news |last1=Zelig |first1=Evan |title=Interview with Tom Dumont |url=http://www.nodoubt.com/press/articles/10BackStage.aspx |access-date=July 4, 2018 |work=[[Backstage (magazine)|Backstage]] |date=October 31, 1996 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206023103/http://www.nodoubt.com/press/articles/10BackStage.aspx |archive-date=December 6, 2008}}</ref> Kenneth Partridge from ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' felt that this encouraged the members of No Doubt to incorporate the influences that helped popularize the band; Partridge later stated that this allowed ''Tragic Kingdom'' songs like "You Can Do It", "[[Hey You!]]", and "Excuse Me Mr." to be recorded.<ref name="The AV Club album review 2" /> The original version of "Excuse Me Mr." was more melodic and mellow, according to [[Tony Kanal]], but the members preferred the "harder version" that was released as a single. No Doubt disagreed with their then-producer Wilder, who wanted the band to record a [[Country music|country]]-influenced rendition.<ref name="Complex magazine article singles discography">{{cite news |last1=Nostro |first1=Lauren |title=No Doubt Tells All: The Stories Behind Their Classic Records |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2012/09/no-doubt-tells-all-the-stories-behind-their-classic-records/just-a-girl |access-date=July 17, 2018 |work=[[Complex Networks (company)|Complex]] |date=September 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213094854/http://www.complex.com/music/2012/09/no-doubt-tells-all-the-stories-behind-their-classic-records/just-a-girl |archive-date=December 13, 2017 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Member [[Adrian Young]] said: <blockquote> When we recorded ['Excuse Me Mr.'], we used to play it the way it is now, and our producer wanted us to play it almost kind of like a country-shuffle, and so we gave it a shot. We later decided that we didn’t really like that, but the other version was erased from the tape. We had to go back in—it must’ve been months later—we re-recorded it the way we used to play it.<ref name="Complex magazine article singles discography" /> </blockquote>
According to the [[liner notes]] for No Doubt's 2003 greatest hits album, ''[[The Singles 1992–2003]]'', the debate over which version of "Excuse Me Mr." would be featured on ''Tragic Kingdom'' became a debacle. The band told [[Interscope Records]] that they would refuse to record "[[Spiderwebs (song)|Spiderwebs]]", the latter's eventual second single, unless they could re-record the [[punk rock]] version of "Excuse Me Mr.".<ref name="The Singles">{{cite AV media notes |title=[[The Singles 1992–2003]] |type=liner notes |publisher=[[Interscope Records]]|year=2003 |id= B0001495-02}}</ref> The song was first released as an [[airplay]] single in the United States on August 21, 1996.<ref name="Amazon.com digital download">{{cite web |title=Excuse Me Mr. (Album Version) by No Doubt |url=https://www.amazon.com/Excuse-Me-Mr/dp/B000WOUSME |publisher=[[Amazon (company)|Amazon]] (US) |access-date=August 3, 2018 |date=August 21, 1996 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100515192248/http://www.amazon.com/Excuse-Me-Mr/dp/B000WOUSME |archive-date=May 15, 2010 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref>{{failed verification|reason=The source says October 6, and Amazon shouldn't be sourced anyway.|date=August 2025}} Commercial [[CD single]]s for "Excuse Me Mr." were not distributed in the United States;<ref name="No Doubt international releases">{{cite web |title=No Doubt: Music – International |url=http://www.nodoubt.com/music/international.aspx |publisher=No Doubt |access-date=July 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081017103313/http://www.nodoubt.com/music/international.aspx |archive-date=October 17, 2008}}</ref> however, [[Promotional recording|promotional CD singles]] were created and sent to radio stations across that country.<ref name="United States promo CD credits" /> A Japanese promotional CD single was also made using the same cover art from No Doubt's "[[Sunday Morning (No Doubt song)|Sunday Morning]]" (1997).<ref name="Japan promo CD credits" />
== Composition and lyrics == Musically, "Excuse Me Mr." is a [[ska]], [[ska punk]] and [[punk rock]] song that is reminiscent of No Doubt's previous releases.<ref name="The Paly Voice album review">{{cite news |title=No Doubt's 'Tragic Kingdom' still offers the essence of ska |url=https://palyvoice.com/2001/04/03/node-14004/ |access-date=August 4, 2018 |work=[[Palo Alto High School|The Paly Voice]] |date=April 3, 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930003334/http://palyvoice.com/2001/04/03/node-14004/ |archive-date=September 30, 2015 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/no-doubt-tragic-kingdom/|title=No Doubt - Tragic Kingdom Review|date=2020-03-15|access-date=2021-12-07|website=Pitchfork|last=Mapes|first=Jillian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/reviews/no-doubt-tragic-kingdom-anniversary-track-by-track-6722946/ |title=No Doubt's 'Tragic Kingdom' at 20: Classic Track-by-Track Album Review |date= October 10, 2015|access-date= June 11, 2022|magazine=Billboard |last=Partridge |first=Kenneth}}</ref> Partridge described the track as a [[Rock music|rock]]-influenced song that pays homage to the music which helped form the band.<ref name="The AV Club album review 2">{{cite news |last1=Partridge |first1=Kenneth |title=With ''Tragic Kingdom'', No Doubt gave ska a chance |url=https://www.avclub.com/with-tragic-kingdom-no-doubt-gave-ska-a-chance-1798267415 |access-date=August 2, 2018 |work=[[The A.V. Club]] |date=March 25, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802230740/https://music.avclub.com/with-tragic-kingdom-no-doubt-gave-ska-a-chance-1798267415 |archive-date=August 2, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> [[Townsquare Media|Diffuser.fm]]'s Brendan Manley noted the track's "[[Dixieland]] [[Brass instrument|brass]] breakdown" during the [[Bridge (music)|bridge]] and cited "Excuse Me Mr." as an example of the one of many different styles of songs on ''Tragic Kingdom''.<ref name="Diffuser.fm album review">{{cite web |last1=Manley |first1=Brendan |title=20 Years Ago: No Doubt's 'Tragic Kingdom' Sparks a Ska-Punk Frenzy |url=http://diffuser.fm/20-years-ago-no-doubts-tragic-kingdom-sparks-a-ska-punk-frenzy/ |publisher=[[Townsquare Media|Diffuser.fm]] |access-date=August 2, 2018 |date=October 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802115717/http://diffuser.fm/20-years-ago-no-doubts-tragic-kingdom-sparks-a-ska-punk-frenzy/ |archive-date=August 2, 2017 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> David Browne discussed in his ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' review of the album that the track is able to combine various genres within a duration of three minutes.<ref name="Entertainment Weekly album review">{{cite magazine |last1=Browne |first1=David |title=Article: Tragic Kingdom |url=http://ew.com/article/1996/08/02/tragic-kingdom/ |access-date=July 6, 2018 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=August 2, 1996 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118213356/http://ew.com/article/1996/08/02/tragic-kingdom/ |archive-date=January 18, 2017 }}</ref>
According to Musicnotes.com, "Excuse Me Mr." is set in [[Time signature|common time]], with a [[Half-time (music)|double time]]-like feel and has a very fast [[tempo]] of 146 beats per minute.<ref name="sheet">{{cite web|url=https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0088394|title=Digital Sheet Music – Excuse Me Mr., Words and Music by Gwen Stefani and Thomas Dumont|date=15 November 2010 |publisher=Musicnotes.com|access-date=August 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804233327/https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0088394|archive-date=August 4, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The key of the song is set in [[F major]], with Gwen Stefani's vocal range spanning nearly an [[octave]] and a half, from A<sub>3</sub> to F<sub>5</sub> in [[scientific pitch notation]].<ref name="sheet"/> The song progresses in the following chord progressions of F–C–Dm–C in each of the two verses.<ref name="sheet"/>
The song's lyrics describe a woman who is actively trying to capture the attention of a male.<ref name="Noisey album review">{{cite news |last1=Levine |first1=Nick |title=Navel Gazing: Looking Back at No Doubt's 'Tragic Kingdom' 20 Years Later |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/no-doubt-tragic-kingdom-20th-anniversary/ |access-date=July 17, 2018 |publisher=[[Noisey]] |date=2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180717203148/https://noisey.vice.com/en_ca/article/r3z7q9/no-doubt-tragic-kingdom-20th-anniversary |archive-date=July 17, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The message is the opposite of that conveyed within "Spiderwebs", and Stefani sings in an anxious tone. Partridge felt that the point in the song where it switches to [[circus music]] helps secure the idea that love is absurd.<ref name="Billboard modern album review">{{cite magazine |last1=Partridge |first1=Kenneth |title=No Doubt's 'Tragic Kingdom' at 20: Classic Track-by-Track Album Review |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/review/album-review/6722946/no-doubt-tragic-kingdom-anniversary-track-by-track |access-date=July 5, 2018 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=October 10, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612233953/https://www.billboard.com/articles/review/album-review/6722946/no-doubt-tragic-kingdom-anniversary-track-by-track |archive-date=June 12, 2018 }}</ref> Loren Diblasi from [[MTV News]] noted that the lyrics of "Excuse Me Mr." suggest that No Doubt was detailing a painful breakup; Stefani sings during the middle eight, "It's almost as if I'm tied to the tracks / And I'm waiting for him to rescue me / The funny thing is, he's not going to come".<ref name="MTV News breakup lyrics">{{cite web |last1=Diblasi |first1=Loren |title=6 Songs from No Doubt's 'Tragic Kingdom' to Help You Through a Breakup |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2231351/no-doubt-tragic-kingdom-breakup-songs/ |publisher=[[MTV News]] |access-date=August 3, 2018 |date=August 3, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113231146/http://www.mtv.com/news/2231351/no-doubt-tragic-kingdom-breakup-songs/ |archive-date=January 13, 2018 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> These lyrics, specifically, were described as "sonically [[slapstick]]" by [[Noisey]]'s Nick Levine,<ref name="Noisey album review" /> while Browne from ''Entertainment Weekly'' compared the lyrics' "rescue-me blankness" to [[Mariah Carey]]'s songwriting abilities.<ref name="Entertainment Weekly album review" /> Seija Rankin speculated that the subject of the song was Kanal, who Stefani had broken up with prior to writing the material for the album.<ref name="E News breakup lyrics">{{cite web |last1=Rankin |first1=Seija |title=Blake Shelton Isn't the Only Man That Gwen Stefani Has Written About: Let's Look Back at Her Most Emotional Song Lyrics |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/749624/blake-shelton-isn-t-the-only-man-that-gwen-stefani-has-written-about-let-s-look-back-at-her-most-emotional-song-lyrics |website=[[E! News]] |access-date=August 3, 2018 |date=March 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170723115701/http://www.eonline.com/news/749624/blake-shelton-isn-t-the-only-man-that-gwen-stefani-has-written-about-let-s-look-back-at-her-most-emotional-song-lyrics |archive-date=July 23, 2017 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
== Reception == "Excuse Me Mr." was met with positive reviews from music critics, with several describing it as one of the highlights on ''Tragic Kingdom''. In honor of the 20th anniversary of the album, a panel of critics from ''The A.V. Club'' reanalyzed it. [[Annie Zaleski]] from the publication admired the track in addition to "[[Happy Now? (No Doubt song)|Happy Now?]]" and "Sunday Morning"; she noted that all three of the songs "have just the right amount of pep".<ref name="The A.V. Club modern album review" /> Marah Eakin described "Excuse Me Mr." as a "banger" that "aged well" despite being released over 20 years ago; she also selected the track as one of the album's singles that sounds "fucking good".<ref name="The A.V. Club modern album review">{{cite news |last1=Eakin |first1=Marah |last2=McLevy |first2=Alex |last3=Rytlewski |first3=Evan |last4=Zaleski |first4=Annie |title=Does No Doubt's ''Tragic Kingdom'' still matter? |url=https://www.avclub.com/does-no-doubt-s-tragic-kingdom-still-matter-1798285742 |access-date=July 5, 2018 |work=The A.V. Club |date=October 17, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706004509/https://music.avclub.com/does-no-doubt-s-tragic-kingdom-still-matter-1798285742 |archive-date=July 6, 2018 }}</ref> Expressing a similar opinion, Ilana Kaplan from ''[[The New York Observer]]'' called it "one of the buzzy tracks that erupted" from ''Tragic Kingdom''; she also classified the track as perhaps the "fastest song ever made".<ref name="The Observer album review">{{cite news |last1=Kaplan |first1=Ilana |title=No Doubt's 'Tragic Kingdom' Still Appeals to Misfits 20 Years Later |url=http://observer.com/2015/10/no-doubts-tragic-kingdom-still-appeals-to-misfits-20-years-later/ |access-date=July 17, 2018 |work=[[The New York Observer]] |date=September 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713222019/http://observer.com/2015/10/no-doubts-tragic-kingdom-still-appeals-to-misfits-20-years-later/ |archive-date=July 13, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Diblasi was impressed by the track and listed it as the fifth-best "breakup song" on the album. She also found the track to be emotive and one of the "most gut-wrenching tracks" on ''Tragic Kingdom'' because of its ability to help someone "survive a breakup".<ref name="MTV News breakup lyrics" />
In the US, "Excuse Me Mr." peaked at number 17 on ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''{{'}}s [[Alternative Airplay]] chart.<ref name="Alternative Songs" /> It did not enter the [[RPM (magazine)|''RPM'' singles chart]] in Canada, though it did reach the Top Rock/Alternative Tracks chart, with the track debuting at number 27. Similarly, it became the fourth consecutive entry from ''Tragic Kingdom'' to make an appearance on the chart.<ref name="Canada Rock debut week">{{cite web |title=Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Issue 9808 |url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.9808&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.9808.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.9808 |work=[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]] | date=17 July 2013 |access-date=August 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803213240/http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.9808&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.9808.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.9808 |archive-date=August 3, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all | last1=Canada | first1=Library Archives }}</ref> During its 9th week within the rankings, the track reached a peak of number 12 on March 31, 1997.<ref name="Canada Rock" /> Outside of the alternative charts in the United States and Canada, "Excuse Me Mr." only charted in one country. On May 25, 1997, the song debuted at number 38 on the [[Official New Zealand Music Chart]]. The track ultimately peaked at number 11, becoming the 4th top 40 entry from the album.<ref name="New Zealand" />
== Music video == [[File:ExcuseMeMrVideo.png|thumb|In the music video for "Excuse Me Mr.", Stefani ties herself down to rail tracks in hopes that Dumont, Kanal, or Young will save her, mirroring the lyrics of the song.]] The music video for "Excuse Me Mr." was directed by [[Sophie Muller]] and released in early 1997. It served as the fourth of five videos created for the songs of ''Tragic Kingdom''.<ref name="Stereogum album review">{{cite web |last1=Breihan |first1=Tom |title=''Tragic Kingdom'' Turns 20 |url=https://www.stereogum.com/1836249/tragic-kingdom-turns-20/franchises/the-anniversary/ |website=[[Stereogum]] |access-date=August 3, 2018 |date=October 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709224045/http://www.stereogum.com/1836249/tragic-kingdom-turns-20/franchises/the-anniversary/ |archive-date=July 9, 2017 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Filming for the visual had been completed by January 1997 and took place around No Doubt's touring schedule.<ref name="Billboard music video article">{{cite magazine |last1=Newman |first1=Melinda |title=A Final Reflection on a Departed Year: What They Said at the Billboard Awards |magazine=Billboard |date=January 11, 1997 |volume=109 |issue=2 |page=13 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wQ4EAAAAMBAJ |access-date=August 4, 2018 |issn=0006-2510}}</ref>
The video opens with the band performing in a dimly-lit room. As the camera pans to the other members, Stefani tries her best to remain in front of it whenever possible, with her resorting to pushing them out of her way. Various women dressed in [[vaudeville]]-inspired outfits are spaced evenly throughout the room and dance provocatively, as the camera approaches them. Before the song's second verse begins, Stefani ties herself to rail tracks in front of an oncoming train with the hopes that nearby people Dumont, Kanal, or Young will come to her rescue. The men fail to do so and Stefani stands up, departs the scene and reenters the dark room. The band resumes playing while a group of paparazzi enters and disrupts them. The video ends with No Doubt posing for a group picture in front of the paparazzi.<ref name="MTV music video website">{{cite web |title=Excuse Me Mr. |url=http://www.mtv.co.uk/no-doubt/videos/excuse-me-mr |publisher=[[MTV]] (UK) |access-date=August 4, 2018 |date=January 23, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012011845/http://www.mtv.co.uk/no-doubt/videos/excuse-me-mr |archive-date=October 12, 2017 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
The clip was selected for rotation on several music-related television networks, including [[MTV]], where it charted within the top 10 on the channel's official "most-played clips" playlist.<ref name="Billboard music video chart 1">{{cite magazine |title=Video Monitor: The Most-Played Clips as Monitored by Broadcast Data Systems |magazine=Billboard |date=February 16, 1997 |volume=109 |issue=9 |page=70 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9g4EAAAAMBAJ |access-date=August 5, 2018 |issn=0006-2510}}</ref><ref name="Billboard music video chart 2">{{cite magazine |title=Video Monitor: The Most-Played Clips as Monitored by Broadcast Data Systems |magazine=Billboard |date=March 15, 1997 |volume=109 |issue=11 |page=109 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aA4EAAAAMBAJ |access-date=August 5, 2018 |issn=0006-2510}}</ref> In 2004, the video was featured on No Doubt's compilation [[DVD]] ''[[The Videos 1992–2003]]''.<ref name="Amazon.com dvd release">{{cite web |title=No Doubt – The Videos 1992-2003: No Doubt: Movies & TV |url=https://www.amazon.com/No-Doubt-Videos-1992-2003/dp/B0001NBNCK |publisher=Amazon.com (US) |access-date=July 15, 2018 |date=May 4, 2004 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306095604/http://www.amazon.com/No-Doubt-Videos-1992-2003/dp/B0001NBNCK |archive-date=March 6, 2012 }}</ref> It was also included as a bonus feature on the second [[Compact disc|CD]] of a two part CD single series for "Spiderwebs" that was released exclusively in the United Kingdom.<ref name="UK CD 2 credits">{{cite AV media notes |title=''"Spiderwebs"'' |year=1997 |type=liner notes |edition=CD single, part 2 |location=United Kingdom |publisher=Interscope, Trauma |id=INDX 95551}}</ref>
== Live performances == "Excuse Me Mr." was performed as the second song on No Doubt's 1995–97 [[Tragic Kingdom World Tour]]. The performance of the song at the July 1, 1997 show in [[Anaheim, California|Anaheim]], at [[Honda Center|The Arrowhead Pond]], was recorded and released on the band's first live album, ''[[Live in the Tragic Kingdom]]'' (1997).<ref name="AllMusic live album review">{{cite web |title=No Doubt – ''Live in the Tragic Kingdom'' |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/live-in-the-tragic-kingdom-clean-mw0001453587 |access-date=July 6, 2018 |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180715172759/https://www.allmusic.com/album/live-in-the-tragic-kingdom-clean-mw0001453587 |archive-date=July 15, 2018 }}</ref> On the December 7, 1996 episode of the American television series ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'', No Doubt served as the special musical guest, whereas [[Martin Short]] was the episode's host.<ref name="TV Guide episode date">{{cite news |title=Saturday Night Live: Season 22, Episode 8 – Martin Short; No Doubt |url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/saturday-night-live/episode-8-season-22/martin-short-no-doubt/100385/ |access-date=August 7, 2018 |work=[[TV Guide]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018120140/http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/saturday-night-live/episode-8-season-22/martin-short-no-doubt/100385/ |archive-date=October 18, 2015 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> During their appearances, they performed their previous single, "[[Don't Speak]]", followed by "Excuse Me Mr.".<ref name="Saturday Night Live episode">{{cite web |title=Martin Short: Season 22, Episode 8, 12/07/1996 |url=http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/season-22/episode/8-martin-short-with-no-doubt-63296 |publisher=[[NBC]] |access-date=August 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227134926/http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/season-22/episode/8-martin-short-with-no-doubt-63296 |archive-date=December 27, 2017 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
The song was performed for No Doubt's Return of Saturn Tour in 2000. A majority of the tracks performed during the event featured Stefani singing about marriage and romance, but when No Doubt returned with tracks from ''Tragic Kingdom'', like the song and "Happy Now?", ''[[Rolling Stone]]''{{'}}s [[Greg Kot]] found the audience to be more engaged. Kanal and Stefani "bounc[ed]" around the stage during the performance, and Kot compared Stefani's vocals to a cross between cartoon character [[Betty Boop]] and American performer [[Lydia Lunch]].<ref name="Rolling Stone Return of Saturn Tour article">{{cite magazine |last1=Kot |first1=Greg |title=Live Report: No Doubt in 2000 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/live-report-no-doubt-in-2000-107782/ |access-date=August 3, 2018 |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=May 11, 2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804004935/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/live-report-no-doubt-in-2000-107782/ |archive-date=August 4, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> For No Doubt's 2002 [[Rock Steady Tour]], the song was performed during the concert's middle segment, in between them singing "[[Rock Steady (album)#Track listing|In My Head]]" and "Different People".<ref name="Rock Steady Live AllMusic review">{{cite web |last1=Horowitz |first1=Hal |title=No Doubt – ''Rock Steady Live [DVD]'' |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/rock-steady-live-dvd-mw0001001784 |access-date=July 15, 2018 |publisher=AllMusic |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161218144457/http://www.allmusic.com/album/rock-steady-live-dvd-mw0001001784 |archive-date=December 18, 2016 }}</ref> The band's performance of "Excuse Me Mr." at the November 22–23 and 29, 2002 shows at the [[Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center]] in [[Long Beach, California|Long Beach]] were recorded and featured on their second live album, ''[[Rock Steady Live]]'' (2003).<ref name="Rock Steady Live AllMusic review" />
During a reunion concert in 2009, their first official show since 2004, No Doubt performed a revised version of "Excuse Me Mr." to the crowd. According to ''Rolling Stone''{{'}}s Christopher R. Weingarten, the song had a "radical makeover" as it was "slowed down and skanked {{sic}} up until it sounded like the [[The Beat (British band)|English Beat]]".<ref name="Rolling Stone reunion concert article">{{cite magazine |last1=Weingarten |first1=Christopher R. |title=No Doubt Make Reunion Official With Pumped-Up Bamboozle Gig |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/no-doubt-make-reunion-official-with-pumped-up-bamboozle-gig-98921/ |access-date=August 4, 2018 |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=May 4, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180805025108/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/no-doubt-make-reunion-official-with-pumped-up-bamboozle-gig-98921/ |archive-date=August 5, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> At the first [[Rock in Rio USA]] music festival in 2015, No Doubt headlined the main stage during the beginning day of the event. They performed several songs from ''Tragic Kingdom'', including "Don't Speak", "Sunday Morning", and "Excuse Me Mr.".<ref name="Rock in Rio article">{{cite news |last1=Varga |first1=George |title=No Doubt heats up Rock in Rio USA |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2015/05/09/no-doubt-heats-up-rock-in-rio-usa |access-date=August 7, 2018 |work=[[The San Diego Union-Tribune]] |date=May 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170209211045/http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/music/sdut-no-doubt-amps-up-rock-in-rio-usa-2015may09-htmlstory.html |archive-date=February 9, 2017 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
== Track listings == {{Track listing | headline = '''US promotional CD single'''<ref name="United States promo CD credits">{{cite AV media notes |title=''"Excuse Me Mr."'' |year=1996 |type=liner notes |edition=Promotional CD |location=United States |publisher=Interscope, [[Trauma Records|Trauma]] |id=INT5P-6086}}</ref> | title1 = Excuse Me Mr. | length1 = 3:05 }} {{Track listing | headline = '''Japanese CD single'''<ref name="Japan promo CD credits">{{cite AV media notes |title=''"Excuse Me Mr."'' |year=1997 |type=liner notes |edition=CD single |location=Japan |publisher=Interscope |id=MVCT-12001}}</ref> | title1 = Excuse Me Mr. | length1 = 3:20 | title2 = [[Sunday Morning (No Doubt song)|Sunday Morning]] | note2 = radio edit | length2 = 4:14 | title3 = [[Just a Girl]] | note3 = live | length3 = 5:37 | title4 = [[Don't Speak]] | note4 = live | length4 = 5:26 }}
== Credits and personnel == Credits adapted from the liner notes of ''Tragic Kingdom''.<ref name="Tragic Kingdom liner notes">{{cite AV media notes |title=[[Tragic Kingdom]] |type=liner notes |publisher=Interscope |year=1995 |id=INTD 90003}}</ref> {{div col|colwidth=20em}} * Gwen Stefani{{spaced ndash}}writer, vocals * Tony Kanal{{spaced ndash}}bass * Matthew Wilder{{spaced ndash}}producer * Adrian Young{{spaced ndash}}drums, percussion * Tom Dumont{{spaced ndash}}writer, guitar * Eric Stefani{{spaced ndash}}keyboards, piano * Phil Jordan{{spaced ndash}}trumpet * Robert Vosgien{{spaced ndash}}mastering * David Holman{{spaced ndash}}mixing * Paul Palmer{{spaced ndash}}mixing * Phil Kaffel{{spaced ndash}}recording * George Landress{{spaced ndash}}recording {{div col end}}
== Charts == {{col-begin}} {{col-2}}
=== Weekly charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ Weekly chart performance for "Excuse Me Mr." |- ! scope="col"| Chart (1997) ! scope="col"| Peak<br/>position |- {{single chart|Canadarock|12|artist=No Doubt|rowheader=true|refname="Canada Rock"|chartid=3167|access-date=May 28, 2016}} |- {{single chart|New Zealand|11|artist=No Doubt|song=Excuse Me Mr.|rowheader=true|access-date=June 10, 2016|refname="New Zealand"}} |- {{single chart|Billboardalternativesongs|17|artist=No Doubt|rowheader=true|refname="Alternative Songs"|access-date=May 28, 2016}} |} {{col-2}}
=== Year-end charts=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ Year-end chart performance for "Excuse Me Mr." |- ! scope="col"| Chart (1997) ! scope="col"| Position |- ! scope="row"| US Modern Rock Tracks (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Best of '97: Modern Rock Tracks|magazine=[[Airplay Monitor]]|volume=5|issue=52|page=30|date=December 26, 1997}}</ref> | 89 |} {{col-end}}
== Release history == {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |+ Release dates and formats for "Excuse Me Mr." |- ! scope="col"| Region ! scope="col"| Date ! scope="col"| Format ! scope="col"| Label(s) ! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref.|References}} |- ! scope="row" | United States | August 21, 1996 | Promotional [[Compact disc|CD]] | {{hlist|[[Interscope Records|Interscope]]|[[Trauma Records|Trauma]]}} | style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="United States promo CD credits" /> |- ! scope="row" | Japan | June 21, 1997 | CD | Interscope | style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/121370/products/163006/1/|title=エクスキューズ・ミー・ミスター {{!}} ノー・ダウト|trans-title=Excuse Me Mister {{!}} No Doubt|publisher=[[Oricon]]|language=ja|access-date=August 31, 2023}}</ref> |}
== References == {{Reflist}}
{{No Doubt singles}} {{Authority control}}
[[Category:1995 songs]] [[Category:1996 singles]] [[Category:No Doubt songs]] [[Category:Music videos directed by Sophie Muller]] [[Category:Ska songs]] [[Category:Song recordings produced by Matthew Wilder]] [[Category:Songs written by Gwen Stefani]] [[Category:Songs written by Tom Dumont]] [[Category:Interscope Records singles]] [[Category:Trauma Records singles]]