Who Invited You

The song "Who Invited You" by The Donnas is a standout track from their 2002 album Spend the Night, capturing their signature punk-rock energy and sassy attitude. In a 2003 interview with Rolling Stone, lead vocalist Brett Anderson described the song as a playful jab at unwanted party crashers, inspired by real-life experiences of dealing with annoying hangers-on at gigs. The lyrics, with lines like "Face it dude, you can't beat me / In your Charlie Brown shirt and Cavariccis," are packed with early-2000s cultural references, poking fun at outdated fashion and overconfident interlopers. The song’s infectious riff and defiant vibe made it a fan favorite, and it was featured in several video game soundtracks, including True Crime: Streets of LA and MVP Baseball 2003, as well as the 2003 movie What a Girl Wants. On Instagram, the band once shared a throwback post about filming the song’s music video, revealing they shot it in a single day at a dive bar in Los Angeles, with the crew improvising choreography to match the song’s rebellious spirit.

While specific quotes about "Who Invited You" are scarce in recent social media, the band’s X account has occasionally reposted fan comments praising the track’s raw energy, with one fan in 2020 calling it “the ultimate kiss-off anthem.” In a 2017 interview, guitarist Allison Robertson noted that the song’s attitude reflected the band’s mindset during their early 20s, when they were navigating the male-dominated punk scene and asserting their place with unapologetic confidence. The song’s enduring appeal lies in its universal theme of shutting down unwelcome vibes, making it a go-to for anyone needing a boost of bold, carefree energy.

The Donnas began as a group of four teenage girls in Palo Alto, California, in 1993, when they were just 14 years old. Originally called Ragedy Ann, the band formed to play at their middle school’s lunchtime band show after noticing the absence of girls in the lineup. Brett Anderson (vocals), Allison Robertson (guitar), Maya Ford (bass), and Torry Castellano (drums) bonded over shared musical tastes, including influences like Ramones, The Runaways, and Kiss. They soon became The Electrocutes, playing local teen centers, before collaborating with producer Darin Raffaelli as a side project named The Donnas, adopting the “Donna” monikers (Donna A., Donna R., Donna F., Donna C.) to distinguish their softer, pop-punk sound. Their first album, The Donnas, was released in 1997 on Raffaelli’s Super*teem! label, later reissued by Lookout! Records.

By their senior year of high school, the band was touring Japan, balancing school with their growing punk scene following. After parting ways with Raffaelli, they took full creative control with their 1999 album Get Skintight, honing their songwriting and producing skills. Their major-label breakthrough came with Spend the Night on Atlantic Records, cementing their status as punk-rock icons. Though the band is no longer active, their legacy endures through their music and fan communities. You can connect with them on their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans also gather on the The Donnas Fan Club on Facebook, where enthusiasts share memories, rare photos, and updates about re-releases like the 2023 Early Singles 1995-1999 compilation. Another fan site, The Donnas Media, offers a deep dive into their discography and archived interviews.