Gwen Stefani - Stefani Found Writing With Perry 'Weird'

GWEN STEFANI found working with song-writer LINDA PERRY "weird" after becoming accustomed to working with her NO DOUBT bandmates.

The group's frontwoman, 35, teamed up with the PINK and CHRISTINA AGUILERA collaborator on her first solo album LOVE, ANGEL, MUSIC, BABY - and at times felt too emotionally exposed when they were writing together.

Stefani says, "I'd never worked with a girl before. I've always had the same boys, so it was a little weird.

"But there was one day when we were writing this track about the first boyfriend I kissed in high school and he actually...he died and I'd written this song for him and it was really personal.

"And then Linda gave me these lyrics and I was just getting my period and you know when you're just ready to bust up?

"I started crying and I was like, 'I can't see her, I have to go home. I can't write in front of her.'

"And that was that. I phoned up TONY (KANAL) and he said, 'Don't worry, we're going out tonight, come over here.'"