Could one of the most powerful bad break up songs shake up the music world? Would a break out album inspire many women? Did the singer hold true to her vision of feminism, gender equality, and marriage equality? Is God a woman? If we’re talking about the iconic Alanis Morissette, yes.
That Particular Time
In 1995 a song released that no one could ignore. A Canadian 20 year old who had recently done some forgettable bubble gum pop and had been a child actor in Nickelodeon Channel’s ‘You Can’t Do That on Television’ came in hot and full of fury with an break up song that no one could ignore.
The lyrics were angry, the grungy alternative sound backed up by Red Hot Chili Peppers Flea and Dave Navarro gave a musical edge that matched her vulnerable and biting lyrics.
Shortly after the song released Cash Box Magazine wrote, “When the 20-year old Morissette sings, ‘Are you thinking of me when you fuck her’, ears can’t help but stand up at attention. The brilliantly emotive song is sung with just the right blend of anger and passion.”
And we all paid attention. Including a newly married youth pastor who was not listening to secular music.
Ablaze
The song rose up to the top of Billboards Alternative charts and #7 overall. It was Platinum in the US and Australia while hitting Gold in the UK and New Zealand.
This beautiful hard hitting break up song was felt by many for it’s honest wail. It was a worldwide success.
The critics were amazed as well.
Upon release “You Oughta Know” was met with positive reviews from critics. Here are just some historically unkind to female artists who could not ignore the power of the track.
Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic praised the song’s “vengeful” lyrics and stated that the song propelled the album’s success and encouraged the public to embrace the “women in rock” movement.
David Browne of Entertainment Weekly said the lyrics were “spiteful and seething” and also said her lyrics converted “jealous bile into something worth hearing.”
Chuck Campbell from Knoxville News Sentinel said it “promises to be one of the year’s most memorable songs.” He also said the song “belongs to Morissette, who builds to a rage-filled chorus.”. And, “Jilted souls of all ages can connect with the bitterness.”
Like these men, I could not ignore the power, the pain, and the talent.
But something else was about to happen beyond the sales and the critics. It was becoming a feminist anthem of empowerment and an angry cry of rebellion. She would get a seat at the table with leaders in feminism. Her vision and her ideas would be tested.
You Learn
“In 1995, I was thrust into the role of reluctant, flag-waving feminist and emotionally-focused artist/advocate. Overnight, I was being asked to lunch by feminists the world over, and yet I was not in any way objective about my place or contribution to this latest rising of the divine feminine in our culture.”-Alanis Morissette OP/ED in the Daily Beast.
At 20 years old, leaders in movements drawn to you over a song, even for the best of causes, will not always have the best of intentions. Having an artist with an anthem that people are drawn to on “your team” is a great opportunity for fundraising.
At 20, Alanis know who she was and what feminism meant to her.
In knowing herself, she knew the breakout album, Jagged Little Pill, was more than the anger in ‘You Oughta Know.’ This was an album not just about her anger of a break up, this was an exploration into all of her. Her emotional, psychological, spiritual, and intellectual aspects are richly and beautifully covered in the album. This album being about her solidified her sense of self which allowed her to hold true to her.
She saw the divide in feminism in the 90’s as ideas of the 2nd wave and 3rd wave clashed. She also knew she was being thrust to the forefront of the movement and had people telling her of her responsibility. Her moral compass was calibrated by her fans and the news that impacted her. From the same OP/Ed she wrote, “Clarity is found by looking no further than the people who are in the audience at my shows, or hearing about bullying stories, or reading about how stress and depression are the leading killers in America, seeing that same-sex marriage is still disallowed in so many places.”
Her sense of self and continued attention on her fans and the world around her would help her find her stride that continues almost 30 years later.
Empathy
The causes that Alanis works in are diverse, but they all connect to that young woman discovering herself, the world around her, and connecting with her fans. Abuse, at-risk/disadvantaged youths, children, creative arts, disaster relief, education, the environment, fair trade, healthcare, human rights, hunger, poverty, and of course, women‘s issues.
Over the decades the groups she has carefully curated to work with have included:
In the center of all of this is her art.
She Remains
Alanis has sold more than 75 million records and won countless awards in a career that is still marching on.
Besides Jagged Little Pill, my personal favorites are Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie (1998), Under Rug Swept (2002), and, most recently, Such Pretty Forks in the Road (2020).
Something else happened shortly before the pandemic. Alanis adapted Jagged Little Pill into a rock musical that was nominated for 15 Tony Awards. This was the most of any show from the 2019–2020 Broadway season (won two of those). It would also win the 2021 Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album.
Thank You
Her IMDB page showcases 56 credits as an actor as well. But there is one role she took on that will always have meaning to me. She played God in Kevin Smith’s 1999 movie, Dogma. Dogma may have been a comedic movie with a rubber poop monster, but when I first saw it, it placed some needed doubts in my faith as a minister. It is Kevin Smith’s questions in his own faith journey and shockingly insightful and thought provoking.
For fans of FEM Friday, you will know the last few months had been deep journeys into women I knew between 1988 and 1991 who helped form my healthy views of women. Religion would choke the life out of those views, and me, as I continued my path in Bible College and ministry. But when Alanis hit the airwaves in the mid 90’s, I secretly listened to secular music again. Why?
Jagged Little Pill had the echoes of the women I knew that I tried to suppress from my memory in a manipulated trauma response. Cassie, Sarah, Catalina, Heather, Jenny, and Name Redacted were in her album. It was like each song channeled a part of their essence and their ghosts kept haunting her albums as the years went on when I was a minister. I needed her music and unique sound to ground me. And when I found myself watching Dogma on television late one night in 2006, seeing her towards the end as God moved me in ways that I doubt Kevin Smith intended. It began a proactive deconstruction in my faith. And it culminated with Alanis Morissette as God.
That which the tribe I was a leader in tried to suppress with legalistic Dogma was divine.
Thank you for reminding me of who I am and what matters, Alanis.
Dedicated to Erika
Every Feminist Friday is Dedicated to my friend Erika!
Erika died on Christmas leaving behind a family that has immediate needs.
Click here to read the story of how Erika saved my life when we were teenagers.
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