In 1992, 4 Non Blondes scored a megahit with “What’s Up?,” an acoustic guitar–driven alt-rock track that questions quite literally everything. The song was written by Linda Perry, who was then 27 and the band’s frontwoman, guitarist, singer, and songwriter.
Now 61, Perry still relates to the song. Nearly 35 years after her sole hit, she says she never gets tired of playing it.
“We’re always gonna question what the fuck is going on,” Perry tells Guitar Player. “It’s still such a relevant statement.”
Given the massive political, social and financial unrest in the world today, Perry’s observation is spot on. And it’s especially poignant coming from an artist who bucked bias and scorn in the extremely male-dominated ’90s and early 2000s music scene.
After her one-off success with 4 Non Blondes, Perry defied the odds to become one of pop’s most prolific songwriters and producers, working with artists like Christina Aguilera, Pink and Gwen Stefani — and avoiding the fate of a one-hit wonder.
“I think that for me, it was all part of my journey,” Perry says. “It was all about just making me a better person. You know, when I was young, I wasn’t great at collaborating, but since then I’ve learned so much.”
Not being great at collaborating might have been why the ever-restless Perry left 4 Non Blondes in the ’90s, even though in the wake of “What’s Up?” the world surely craved more. But according to Perry, it needed to happen.
Becoming a producer, being an artist, and leaving the band did so much for me. Now I am far more creative than I think I would have ever been if I’d just stayed in a band.”
— Linda Perry
“Becoming a producer, being an artist, and leaving the band did so much for me,” she says. “It helped me grow in all areas. Now I am far more creative than I think I would have ever been if I’d just stayed in a band.”
She’s also been tremendously successful, writing tracks like “Get the Party Started” — an international hit for Pink in 2001 — working with artists like Adam Lambert, Adele, and Dolly Parton, and appearing in the VH1 reality show Make or Break: The Linda Perry Project.
Which partly explains why Perry is now releasing her first solo record in 25 years. Titled Let It Die Here (out May 8), it features 17 tracks that blend confession, cinematic rock, and deep introspection. The project was created while Perry was being filmed for a documentary of the same name and includes her reimagined version of “Beautiful,” the hit she wrote and produced for Aguilera.
Along the way, Perry reunited with 4 Non Blondes in 2025, but their reunion was far from a case of a legacy act leaning on its hits and playing festivals. For now, at least, Perry will play only two of the band’s classic tracks: “Train” and “What’s Up?” More than 30 years after the latter’s release, Perry says she is still fond of the song and its success.
That song is just part of my whole story, so I’ll play it anytime anybody wants to hear it.”
— Linda Perry
“I can’t ever be angry about it,” she says. “People have always wanted to hear it. That song is just part of my whole story, so I’ll play it anytime anybody wants to hear it.”
Guitar Player caught up with the artist to talk about her new album and history. And we unintentionally stirred up some dirt when we brought up Third Eye Blind singer Stephan Jenkins’ claim that he and Perry once shared songs with one another in their pre-fame days.
Says Perry, “I don’t even know what the fuck he’s talking about.”
Let It Die Here is your first solo album in 25 years. What led you to release a new record after so many years?
I scored a film for the director Don Hardy. We became friends, and he was like, “You’re so interesting. Can I come hang out at your studio and just film you doing your thing?”
I was like, “Yeah, that’s fine. Can I use some of the footage for my social media content?” He was like, “Yeah, whatever.” I think he already knew what he was up to — that he was going to be making the documentary.
What were your thoughts after seeing it?
I was a bit shocked because it was so fucking honest and vulnerable — and, to me, embarrassing. During the film I wrote this song called “What Lies With You,” and that’s the first song that I wrote for myself. It was about my mom, and it was a very powerful moment in the film for me. It inspired me. I went from there, and the record followed.
As far as guitars go, what’s your general mindset?
I have hundreds of guitars. I would go into guitar stores, grab a guitar, plug it into an amp that looked kind of cool, and if the sound was great, I’d buy the guitar and the amp, too. Now, I know that not everybody can do that. I’m truly grateful — believe me when I say that. I have [Gibson Les Paul] Juniors that I’ll play through a [Vox] V15. I mean, I could fill an amazing vintage store. I have so many guitars and amps, and I use them all.
That vocal that she did was so raw and not perfect. It was exactly what it should have been.”
— Linda Perry
On Let It Die Here, you revisit “Beautiful,” a track you wrote and which was a big hit for Christina Aguilera. The story goes that you insisted on Christina going with a demo version of her vocal track? Is that true?
Yes, that is true. You know, the song just needed vulnerability. When Christina sang that vocal for the first time, I was like, “That’s what made me wanna let her have the song in the first place.” That vocal that she did was so raw and not perfect. It was exactly what it should have been.
What led you to re-record it for yourself now?
Someone on my team said to me, “Have you ever thought about recording ‘Beautiful’?” And, actually, I’ve never thought about that. But once it was put in my head, I was like, “You know what? Let me go ahead and try it.” I just kind of built the track on my own.
What does “What’s Up?” mean to you now?
That song kind of started everything for me. It’s like that song gave life to my creative side and my name, and it continues to do so. It’s not every day you write a song that will have a resurgence 20 years from now.
Third Eye Blind’s Stephan Jenkins claims you once played him an early version of “What’s Up?” and he played an early version of “Semi-Charmed Life”—
I don’t mean to cut you off, but I’ll tell you this right now: Stephan — I don’t even know what the fuck he’s talking about. That never happened. He’s… listen, that guy is so full of shit. I’m not shocked that he would tell such a lie, but that’s not even true. [In 2017, Jenkins told Billboard he and Perry knew each other before they found fame and once played their songs for one another while sitting on his bed.]
I’ve heard this so many times. I don’t like him. We don’t hang out. So I don’t know what he’s talking about. I would never have sat down in a room with — and I never would have said, “Hey, I’m gonna call Stephan Jenkins and play my song to him.” [laughs] It’s just not true. There is no truth to that story.
If you look at your history as a strong woman who succeeded in a male-dominated ’90s rock industry, it feels like a man from your same era is basically stepping in and stealing some of your thunder.
He’s an idiot, you know? That’s all I can say about that guy. He’s just a total moron. I don’t like him. I don’t think he’s talented whatsoever.”
— Linda Perry
Let me tell you this about Stephan: He’s an idiot, you know? That’s all I can say about that guy. He’s just a total moron. I don’t like him. I don’t think he’s talented whatsoever.
I think what you said is a really great thing to say, because the guy just rides on people’s coattails. I’m not trying to be mean.
No, you’re just being honest.
I actually don’t even say stuff like this about people… but he just bugs me. There are other reasons why I can say this stuff, but that’s a different story, you know? But he’s just not a nice guy.
I’m glad we clarified this, and I hope that once and for all, people stop perpetuating this rumor.
No, it’s fun! Because I get to have him read all these really bad things that I’m saying about him. [laughs] So hopefully he’ll get the message, you know? Just stop fucking telling these lies, because it never happened.
The word is that 4 Non Blondes are planning a new album. How did that come about?
When we got back together, I said, “I don’t wanna play any of the other songs. I’ll play ‘Train’ and ‘What’s Up?’ but nothing else from the record.”
They looked at me and said, “Okay… then what are we gonna play?” I said, “I’m working on that.”
So after that, I just wrote an album. And let me tell you that it’s fucking awesome. It sounds like the second record that 4 Non Blondes would have made if we did it in 1995.
I’m actually shocked I’m even alive, and as sane as I am. But I’m proud that I stuck in there. I’m proud of myself for always wanting to be better.”
— Linda Perry
And now Roger [Rocha, guitar] is down here this week, and we’re doing guitar overdubs. I’m using a Junior, a 335, a Tele, my goldtop, a Supro, a Vox and a Marshall. Roger has all his pedals, and we’re just having fun.
Looking back, you walked away from 4 Non Blondes after having a big hit. It paid off for you, but do you have any regrets about leaving the band when you did?
There were times when I wished I were not such a defensive kid. I wish I wasn’t so damaged, but that’s not my fault. I was raised that way.
I’m actually shocked I’m even alive, and as sane as I am. But I’m proud that I stuck in there. I’m proud of myself for always wanting to be better because I think that’s super important. If there’s somebody who doesn’t wanna change, or sits and stagnates, or thinks they’re good enough, to me that’s the curse of life.
You always wanna keep moving forward. I’m always working on my craft. Whether it’s songwriting, getting drum sounds, guitar tones or playing guitar — I’m always practicing, learning and trying to be better.
