Defend the Indefensible - Alanis Morissette

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Don't think we did this DtI yet, I searched.

Um, um, um......
"Thank You" and "Head Over Feet" are kinda ok songs, at least in comparison to some of her other crap.
I really liked You Can't Do That On Television when I was little.
KS casting her as God in Dogma made me chuckle a bit.
The Curb Your Enthusiasm where she hurts her neck and then sings all weak and off key at the party was pretty funny.

That's about it for me, what say you?

― Every country has their stupid (AaronHz), Sunday, 21 November 2004 23:13 (twenty-one years ago)

Misuse of word "ironic" in song lyric raised public awareness of correct use of word.

― Ken L (Ken L), Sunday, 21 November 2004 23:18 (twenty-one years ago)

Her music hasn't aged well and I didn't dig it much in the first place. Now she sounds like an Avril Lavigne who should know better.

But defense...hmm...

her version of "King Of Pain" is even funnier than the original.

― miccio (miccio), Sunday, 21 November 2004 23:21 (twenty-one years ago)

There is something worthwhile and enjoyable in every single thing she's recorded.

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Sunday, 21 November 2004 23:21 (twenty-one years ago)

Even if it's 'enjoyable' in the sense that you get to laugh at it.

Jagged Little Pill is still a pretty good album, with some really amazing moments (and some great lyrics! This is surprising in retrospect.)

― The Lex (The Lex), Sunday, 21 November 2004 23:23 (twenty-one years ago)

i'm inclined to think alanis had some undeniably catchy melodies. "one hand in my pocket" and "hands clean" spring to mind - and there's plenty more, especially on the first album.

i'm also inclined to think that she didn't make good use of her strengths. she focussed to much on fee-form stream-of-consciousness meandering twaddle - greater emphasis on snappy observations and catchy tunes, and she'd have bben great.

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Sunday, 21 November 2004 23:27 (twenty-one years ago)

"So Pure" is a brilliant single.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Sunday, 21 November 2004 23:30 (twenty-one years ago)

"And are you thinking of me when you fuck her" is an excellent lyric to vent anger to when you are dumped.

― ailsa (ailsa), Sunday, 21 November 2004 23:43 (twenty-one years ago)

"You Oughta Know" is a brilliant song all the way around; it really sells fury in a way that I can't see Avril doing, largely because Avril seems way too happy and well-adjusted to rage like that.

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Sunday, 21 November 2004 23:45 (twenty-one years ago)

her critical reasessment with the advent of 90s nostalgia is nigh! i was just talking the other day about how 'you oughta know' is much better than i remembered it. god she was so omnipresent in the mid 90s though

― jake b. (cerybut), Sunday, 21 November 2004 23:52 (twenty-one years ago)

i'm inclined to think alanis had some undeniably catchy melodies. "one hand in my pocket" and "hands clean" spring to mind - and there's plenty more, especially on the first album.

"Too Hot" is dumb fun, yessir.

― Vic Funk, Sunday, 21 November 2004 23:56 (twenty-one years ago)

It's weird because while there's a lot of songs about her I just don't like, my reaction to y'all bringing up "You Oughta Know" is more curious to me in that I have no memory of the song at all! I mean, I know it exists, of course, but I tried humming it to myself just now, then I tried thinking of anything about it, and...nothing. Not a thing. It must have been "Ironic" where I first noticed and got annoyed.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 21 November 2004 23:56 (twenty-one years ago)

I still can't believe that song's about Dave Coulier of Full House-fame...where's a full list of how he wronged her. To be honest, though, I think "You Oughta Know" is one of the most pathetic (as in what the content says...not how it was written) lyrics ever...it's not furious, it's desperate!

The whole God thing in Dogma was funny...that's the only redeemable quality about her, aside from that she got slimed on You Can't Do That On Television.

― Ian Moraine (Eastern Mantra), Sunday, 21 November 2004 23:57 (twenty-one years ago)

dan perry hits the nail on the fucking head. classic for that song alone. if i still had a copy of jagged little pill i'll get it and figure out what tracks on it i liked.. there were definitely one or two more i was super into. i don't know if they'd hold up, but..

xpost

― Ian John50n (orion), Sunday, 21 November 2004 23:58 (twenty-one years ago)

The other really really amazing songs on Jagged Little Pill are "Forgiven" (the Catholic guilt one) and "Your House", the acappella hidden track. The rest I remember being good, but it's been years since I knew where my copy was. I wish I had it to hand now!

― The Lex (The Lex), Monday, 22 November 2004 00:01 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh, some of the production choices on Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie are completely insane. It's fun to listen to on headphones in the dark.

― Every country has their stupid (AaronHz), Monday, 22 November 2004 00:04 (twenty-one years ago)

Because the world needs songs about Dave Coulier.

― Maxwell von Bismarck (maxwell von bismarck), Monday, 22 November 2004 00:10 (twenty-one years ago)

Hands Clean is GLORIOUS

― Alex in Doncaster (Alex in Doncaster), Monday, 22 November 2004 00:11 (twenty-one years ago)

Hmmm.. Possibly the most annoying voice ever...

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Monday, 22 November 2004 00:25 (twenty-one years ago)

classic for encouraging chicks to go down on dudes in the-atres. very few better respected rock bands of the past 15 years have had that nice of an impact on my life.

― toothy philanthropist, Monday, 22 November 2004 00:27 (twenty-one years ago)

To be honest, though, I think "You Oughta Know" is one of the most pathetic (as in what the content says...not how it was written) lyrics ever...it's not furious, it's desperate!

It comes across as desperate and slightly unhinged, like she's the Jennifer Jason Leigh character in "Single White Female".

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Monday, 22 November 2004 00:35 (twenty-one years ago)

She does get a point for probably being capable of clearing out bars in Williamsburg when you play her...unless those hipster bastards are into being purposefully ironic or kitschy.

― Ian Moraine (Eastern Mantra), Monday, 22 November 2004 00:37 (twenty-one years ago)

"Every time I scratch my nails down someone else's back, I hope you feel it[, Dave Coulier]!"

CREEPY

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Monday, 22 November 2004 00:41 (twenty-one years ago)

Sting trapped in the body of a kooky canuck

― miccio (miccio), Monday, 22 November 2004 00:48 (twenty-one years ago)

Songs I'd like if I didn't find Alanis completely unstomachable right now.

"You Learn"
"You Oughta Know"
"So Pure" (that's the one about the free-stylin' chance where she's dancing in different styles in the video, right?)
"Uninvited"
"What I Really Want"

― miccio (miccio), Monday, 22 November 2004 00:51 (twenty-one years ago)

Festivals are one of my favourite things to do. I don't know if we've ever done Reading, I'll find out and see

the nme random alanis quote generator is fun.

― keith m (keithmcl), Monday, 22 November 2004 00:54 (twenty-one years ago)

INSUFFERABLE TO THE LAST!

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Monday, 22 November 2004 00:56 (twenty-one years ago)

"what I really want" is one of the ones i liked! haven't heard it in years though.

― Ian John50n (orion), Monday, 22 November 2004 00:57 (twenty-one years ago)

It's probably my favorite in hindsight.

― miccio (miccio), Monday, 22 November 2004 00:58 (twenty-one years ago)

Is that the same as "All I Really Want"?

― Every country has their stupid (AaronHz), Monday, 22 November 2004 01:11 (twenty-one years ago)

yeah, that's it.

d'oh.

― Ian John50n (orion), Monday, 22 November 2004 01:13 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh, for a minute I thought she had a sequel on one of her newer CDs, like "Unforgiven II" or something.

― Every country has their stupid (AaronHz), Monday, 22 November 2004 01:16 (twenty-one years ago)

Ned got it right -- I heard that song hundreds of times and I can't recall it now for the life of me. Memorable as image, sexual politics, lyrics, whatever but as music? Eminently forgettable. But I have to admit I found her attractive in a tomboy-ish kinda way.

― lovebug starski (lovebug starski), Monday, 22 November 2004 02:11 (twenty-one years ago)

i don't think i'll get most of her jingles out my head

― miccio (miccio), Monday, 22 November 2004 02:17 (twenty-one years ago)

My friend Eric has memorably covered "One Hand in My Pocket" in an amusing but not ironic way.

― Sanjay McDougal (jaymc), Monday, 22 November 2004 02:34 (twenty-one years ago)

She gave her drummer to the Foo Fighters so Dave Grohl could spend less time worrying about the drum parts and more time writing awesome songs like "Learn to Fly" and "Times Like These."

Wait, you said defend?

― earinfections (Nick Twisp), Monday, 22 November 2004 02:46 (twenty-one years ago)

i really like "uninvited" and then i liked it even more when i watched some live concert they showed on VH1 at the time. i enjoyed the fake zep thing.

― scott seward (scott seward), Monday, 22 November 2004 02:47 (twenty-one years ago)

"Hand In My Pocket" makes my Anthrax On A Tampax list: Songs That Turn Me Into A Virulent Misogynist If I Am In Earshot.

― miccio (miccio), Monday, 22 November 2004 02:47 (twenty-one years ago)

Nice hair?

― Piers (piers), Monday, 22 November 2004 05:27 (twenty-one years ago)

"blessed duplicity" amazing lyric, so C for that reason.
considering the current class of awfull teen and twenty something singer songwriters, she is way ahead of the curve.

― lukey (Lukey G), Monday, 22 November 2004 09:24 (twenty-one years ago)

Where does she say "blessed duplicity"? I know she calls old man Coulier "Mr. Duplicity" on "You Outta Know".

― Every country has their stupid (AaronHz), Monday, 22 November 2004 10:01 (twenty-one years ago)

She is mortal and will die.

― Forksclovetofu (Forksclovetofu), Monday, 22 November 2004 10:06 (twenty-one years ago)

"Outta" haha.

― Every country has their stupid (AaronHz), Monday, 22 November 2004 10:09 (twenty-one years ago)

Her boyfriends are hot. Except Dave Coulier.

― Titsy Borgnine (Arthur), Monday, 22 November 2004 16:14 (twenty-one years ago)

HA HA I AM IN THERE oh damn.

― Sad, Rejected Dave Coulier (Dan Perry), Monday, 22 November 2004 16:20 (twenty-one years ago)

i didn't like anything off her first album but agree with several people that 'So Pure', 'Thank You' and 'Hands Clean' are good

― Freelance Hiveminder (blueski), Monday, 22 November 2004 16:22 (twenty-one years ago)

"Stinky britches, I got stinky britches..."

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 22 November 2004 16:24 (twenty-one years ago)

"Thank You" is astonishing. (haha I have identified another Dan/Ned bifurcation)

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Monday, 22 November 2004 16:32 (twenty-one years ago)

Indeed! We must make careful note of this.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 22 November 2004 16:32 (twenty-one years ago)

I'll be the first to admit that many of my favorite musicians are guilty of herculean pretentiousness (Jaz Coleman could never be accused of being humble), but I find Alanis to be so incredibly, insufferably earnest and fuckin' HIGH on herself that I can barely put it into words. Indefensible. Indefensible. Indefensible.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Monday, 22 November 2004 16:32 (twenty-one years ago)

Skipping 45 messages at this point... Click here if you want to load them all.

So wrong.

― _Rudipherous_, Sunday, 2 May 2010 01:41 (sixteen years ago)

I like her. I used to watch MTV just to see her videos.

― Band Fag X (u s steel), Sunday, 2 May 2010 02:06 (sixteen years ago)

i LOVE head over feet tbh.

― ian, Sunday, 2 May 2010 02:17 (sixteen years ago)

i mean, i own jagged little pill on LP. i paid $12 for it.

― ian, Sunday, 2 May 2010 02:17 (sixteen years ago)

No idea why Alanis is indefensible. Jagged Little Pill is total classic.

― Mordy, Sunday, 2 May 2010 02:18 (sixteen years ago)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7eB8mmZtlA

― Siegbran, Sunday, 2 May 2010 02:22 (sixteen years ago)

Jagged Little Pill is total classic

You were so close there I had to fix it.

― EZ Snappin, Sunday, 2 May 2010 02:22 (sixteen years ago)

Now listening to Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie "Baba" is great. So she apparently went to India for a time?

― _Rudipherous_, Sunday, 2 May 2010 05:29 (sixteen years ago)

Okay, as I listen to more of this album I am feeling a little more sympathetic toward the anti-Alanis hostility (though I still think it's way over-generalized). She can be awfully self-righteous about being completely impossible, but it's not as though we don't have to be in a relationship with her. The lyrics here just get totally out of hand as it goes on (not exactly in a linear progression, but as the album moves on), more and more of a straight journal entry sort of sound as others have described her lyrics in general. But the music too is less interesting than on Jagged Little Pill (overall), even though there are some good things here and there. This is all on first listen (and most of this I really don't recognize).

― _Rudipherous_, Sunday, 2 May 2010 06:33 (sixteen years ago)

her first two albums were THE SHIT when i was depressed during middle school/high school, but her subsequent albums have been a lot mellower, not necessarily sound-wise but personality-wise. instead of lashing-out and rage, she's processing things maturely, which lends this pop-psychology flavor to her lyrics that doesn't excite me very much.

also just in case you're feeling completionist, rudipherous, here's the Thank U b-side called Pollyanna Flower:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ug42wnTh2XY

― known glimmervampyr bobby patentleather (reddening), Sunday, 2 May 2010 06:52 (sixteen years ago)

Thanks, I like that too (now that I've heard it).

― _Rudipherous_, Sunday, 2 May 2010 07:27 (sixteen years ago)

Don't miss out on "Uninvited," Rudipherous.

― Brad Nelson (BradNelson), Sunday, 2 May 2010 11:00 (sixteen years ago)

Okay. I'm still digesting "You Oughta Know." "but you're still alive. . ." I can relate to the viciousness of that.

― _Rudipherous_, Sunday, 2 May 2010 12:53 (sixteen years ago)

I'm finding "Uninvited" a bit tedious. Maybe that was the point.

― _Rudipherous_, Sunday, 2 May 2010 13:01 (sixteen years ago)

just listened to "Thank You", which I had totally forgotten existed. on the one hand, the beat and vocal melody are really nice; but jesus christ, can that woman write some terrible lyrics or what?

― INSUFFICIENT FUN (bernard snowy), Sunday, 2 May 2010 13:21 (sixteen years ago)

I think her lyrics are mostly pretty good and quite knowing about their own preciousness.

― Daily Sport Stunna Yasmin Alibhai Brown (Noodle Vague), Sunday, 2 May 2010 13:56 (sixteen years ago)

revive timed for kentucky derby obv

― controll-s (velko), Sunday, 2 May 2010 16:16 (sixteen years ago)

I have to admit the lyrics are a big part of the fun for me in "Thank You," but I'm not simply laughing at them.

I think her lyrics are mostly pretty good and quite knowing about their own preciousness.

I tend to agree with this, especially the second part. I suspect she's more aware of the ridiculous side of her songs than people give her credit for.

― _Rudipherous_, Sunday, 2 May 2010 23:58 (sixteen years ago)

I still would love hear someone sample the opening of Thank You to great effect.

― tart w/ a heart (a hoy hoy), Monday, 3 May 2010 00:09 (sixteen years ago)

The beginning is especially great. Actually, when I heard it I thought I had heard it somewhere else, but I think I was being reminded of something on side two of "Aerial Tal"!

― _Rudipherous_, Monday, 3 May 2010 00:14 (sixteen years ago)

iirc UR is also terrific off that record

― tart w/ a heart (a hoy hoy), Monday, 3 May 2010 00:28 (sixteen years ago)

Awful drum machines on everything I've heard from her.

― Moka, Monday, 3 May 2010 05:26 (sixteen years ago)

one year passes...

http://open.spotify.com/track/0Dw9z44gXhplDh5HCWZIxP

― an independent online phenomenon (DJP), Thursday, 12 April 2012 15:50 (fourteen years ago)

six months pass...

http://gawker.com/5952403/alanis-morissette-music-leads-to-domestic-abuse-case-in-florida

― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 17 October 2012 04:53 (thirteen years ago)

how have i never seen this thread before

― 69, Wednesday, 17 October 2012 05:12 (thirteen years ago)

"You live you learn, You love you learn, You cry you learn, You lose you learn, You bleed you learn, You scream you learn." You just don't hit your boyfriend in the face with a plate. But, you learn.

^ lol @ this

― suggest butt (Pillbox), Wednesday, 17 October 2012 05:15 (thirteen years ago)

three years pass...

http://www.poynter.org/2016/alanis-morissette-is-taking-over-molly-ringwalds-advice-column/391110/

Many people in dire need of help and possibly even contemplating suicide will be now be jolted out of their emotional paralysis as they scurry off in search of thesauruses.

― clemenza, Saturday, 9 January 2016 00:10 (ten years ago)

She's now an advice columnist for the Guardian

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/jan/09/alanis-morissette-queen-alt-rock-guardian-advice-columnist

― paolo, Saturday, 9 January 2016 12:22 (ten years ago)

if only someone had mentioned that sooner

― japanese mage (LocalGarda), Saturday, 9 January 2016 14:21 (ten years ago)

Oops :s

― paolo, Saturday, 9 January 2016 16:22 (ten years ago)

hehe

― japanese mage (LocalGarda), Saturday, 9 January 2016 16:29 (ten years ago)

Dear Alanis: it rained on my wedding day. What literary device best describes this situation?

Dear Alanis: My boyfriend has left me for someone who I suspect will suck him off in a movie theater. What is the proper way to communicate my displeasure with this state of affairs?

― Satan's hairpiece = hell toupee (Ye Mad Puffin), Saturday, 9 January 2016 16:42 (ten years ago)

Never seen so many "Removed by moderator" in the comments section.

― Mark G, Saturday, 9 January 2016 16:57 (ten years ago)

Wait - Molly Ringwald had an advice column?

― the top man in the language department (誤訳侮辱), Saturday, 9 January 2016 17:49 (ten years ago)

my wife and i honeymooned in oct on the central coast of ca and stayed for a couple nights at the esalen institute in big sur. alanis was there and teaching a workshop called 'hurtling toward wholeness'. we didn't attend any of her workshops but did dine with her at the communal dinners. she's lovely and thoughtful and wise.

― Yelploaf, Tuesday, 12 January 2016 20:55 (ten years ago)

I thought you were kidding until I googled "esalen institute alanis." Wow. Perhaps one day she'll create an ingenious ad campaign for Coke.

― clemenza, Tuesday, 12 January 2016 22:06 (ten years ago)

three months pass...

so I guess she has a brother named Wade who is a yoga master!! this video is redonk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A16YQm_tqjI

― rockpalast '82 (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Monday, 2 May 2016 19:34 (ten years ago)

this whole thing is hilarious but i laughed the hardest at 'wade morrissette' for some reason

― dynamicinterface, Monday, 2 May 2016 21:05 (ten years ago)

four years pass...

I hear her more now than ever, pretty much daily--she seems to have replaced the Guess Who as every milquetoast Canadian radio station's default Cancon (on whatever the proper name is right now for Top-40/AOR/Boomer stations). "Ironic," "Hand in Pocket," and "Thank You," mostly--at least I've been spared "You Oughta Know."

What a terrible trade.

― clemenza, Thursday, 8 April 2021 22:44 (five years ago)

You Oughta Know that you made me imagine 1970-era Burton Cummings singing that song.

― Halfway there but for you, Friday, 9 April 2021 00:15 (five years ago)

Burton has a light touch next to Alanis: "You Oughta Know" would need Rare Earth or Blood, Sweat & Tears or the Ides of March.

― clemenza, Friday, 9 April 2021 00:38 (five years ago)

OK, it's not necessary to bring out the big guns.

― Halfway there but for you, Friday, 9 April 2021 00:41 (five years ago)

Actually, I was never bothered by her vocal affectations - they seemed a lot more playful and eccentric than the oversouling of Clayton-Thomas or Joplin.

― Halfway there but for you, Friday, 9 April 2021 01:51 (five years ago)

I’ve been in a room with her twice (once professional, once incidental). She seemed cool both times.

― Yawnsomely Literal Cover Band (morrisp), Friday, 9 April 2021 01:57 (five years ago)

One can't say that about Burton Cummings.

― Halfway there but for you, Friday, 9 April 2021 02:06 (five years ago)

three years pass...

Didn't realize she turned 50 yesterday. I hope she had a rhapsodic, blithe, enraptured birthday.

― clemenza, Sunday, 2 June 2024 20:01 (two years ago)

I think of her music as something from my childhood (which it is), so it's crazy to me to realize that she's only ten years older than me.

― Lily Dale, Sunday, 2 June 2024 21:02 (two years ago)

Huh, what a coincidence. I just bought Jagged Little Pill on used CD today. Don’t think I’d ever listened to the whole album. Her voice is a versatile instrument and she’s definitely not shy of pushing it to its limits or beyond. She even pulls off some convincing James Hetfieldesque growls on You Otta Know (of course I knew that song already but hadn’t listened to it in a minute).

― o. nate, Sunday, 2 June 2024 22:40 (two years ago)

one year passes...

“And every time you speak her name
Does she know how you told me you'd hold me until you died, ‘til you died, but you're still alive”

that’s a great lyric.

― Mr. Snrub, Friday, 11 July 2025 17:15 (ten months ago)

two months pass...

Slap me with the splintered ruler

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UKoKLpIsbE

― llurk, Saturday, 4 October 2025 23:49 (eight months ago)

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