Alanis Morissette, Ironic - A Classical Musician’s First Listen and Reaction

[@LeeKennison]

I loved it. I have really been looking forward to you getting to Alanis, and this is a good one. She is my favorite female singer from the 90s. The entire "Jagged Little Pill" album that this comes from is incredible. One of my favorite 90s albums, in terms of every song on the album being great. I would love for you to listen to this entire album. There are so many great songs on it that I think you will love, since they have all the same qualities you noticed and liked in this one. Alanis wrote her own songs, many with her songwriting partner Glen Ballard, such as this song and the other songs on this "Jagged Little Pill" album. They always have very clever lyrics. Great reaction and observations, particularly on her voice.

[@christianwilliamson9752]

Do you like Tori Amos as well? Winter live 1992 is a great one

[@LeeKennison]

@@christianwilliamson9752 Amy reacted the studio version of Tori's Winter back in March. Amy really enjoyed it, as did I.

[@Marnie-hates-winter]

I really loved this album when it came out. I was mainly into heavy metal at the time and had become a bit of a snob about it. Tori Amos had gotten me out of that rut. I went to see a concert with Alanis and Tori. I went solely because of Tori. Although I like Alanis's songs, I didn't see her as a musician who I would be interested in seeing live. I didn't even see her as a musician. Lo and behold, Alanis's set was honestly better. The main reason it was better was because the sound mixing of Tori's was TERRIBLE. I couldn't hear her piano AT ALL. But what surprised me about Alanis was that she plays a lot of instruments. I think in the concert she played flute, guitar, and harmonica. Perhaps not a virtuoso at any of them, but very solid. My respect for her went up magnitudes. And at one point, she left the stage and let her pianist just play for about 5 solid minutes. He was playing (perhaps improvising) over the song Uninvited, and it was haunting and utterly beautiful. The crowd absolutely erupted at the end of it, it was so good. The fact that she would give the stage for another musician to showcase says a lot of good things about her.

[@Marnie-hates-winter]

She also did my favorite portrayal of God in any show I've ever seen.

[@markcole8698]

Mary Jane, Uninvited, Perfect, That I Would Be Good are some of her deeper, beautiful songs to check out 👍

[@traog]

I think you'll really like her song "Uninvited" not only for her voice, but for the music that goes with it.

[@incamoran9532]

It's a masterpiece imho.

[@SCHTRAM]

Gotta do "you oughta know" tbh.

[@jasonmant]

The whole jagged little pill album is a masterpiece

[@CraigJohnstone1]

Easy now.

[@CraigJohnstone1]

Compared to anything that has come out since, you are probably right...

[@212x3]

Her Live permanence of "Uninvited" at the Grammys is absolutely incredible.

[@Marnie-hates-winter]

Thanks for that. I just watched/listened to it, and you are correct!

[@markcole8698]

Very excited you've discovered Alanis! She is amazing! Looking forward to your journey through her catalog of greatness!

[@MonTonal]

I loved how many times you smiled while reacting to this song... and that's the best reaction we can hope for...

[@netuno60]

She's a great songwriter and a good singer. I like her style and many songs.

[@jja77a]

Yeah! I'd also like to see 4 Non Blondes!

[@carolhayward7369]

Yes, I too suggest her song "Uninvited". It's deliciously haunting.

[@joshdanner5232]

Agreed a must for anyone!

[@darkbulbs]

I arrived in the US, from Europe, in 1996. I remember standing on a balcony somewhere in San Francisco later that year with this song blasting from the inside of the house as I looked over the city that would become my home for the next 30 years.

[@MrSlygui]

My favorites by Morissette: 'Ironic', 'You oughta know', 'Head over feet' (and really the whole album 'Jagged little pill'), 'Hands clean' and 'Uninvited'. Great songwriter! Such a powerhouse and as you said a very expressive yet natural voice. I would definitely recommend checking out more from her!

[@Baiko]

Jagged Little Pill is a one of those perfect albums, with no bad songs.

[@Pongant]

For me, Alanis Morrissette will always be the god of the old and new testament.

[@Boodieman72]

Thank U is another great song by Alanis

[@fredts796]

The song "Thank U" is fantastic ❤

[@andymccabe6712]

What a fabulous song...when she comes in LOUD after the quiet section...nothing silvery there...! .... spine tingling.....!!!

[@IanHodgetts]

Mercurial though!

[@simulanation]

It's just a treat when a musician such as yourself talks about music. Really interesting how you feel it, it's almost like someone describing colours.

[@cinhofilms]

A comedian pointed out that it's ironic that the song generally describes things that aren't ironic. Brilliant song though 🙂. Love this channel. Silvery is a great way to describe her voice.

[@Hunter-zp5hd]

I’m really surprised that this is the first Alanis song you have heard. I’ve loved her work since Jagged Little Pill. She has such unique qualities to her songs. In nearly every song, she is able to transmit the emotion of the content to the listener. She also has a very versatile voice. I’ve heard her sing light and airy, gritty and harsh, and everywhere in between. Her lyrics mean something, and when you combine that with her ability to emote that to the listener, you have a very special artist. I could run a list about 20 songs you could analyse, but I’ll leave you to surprise us. Love your channel!

[@douglydooright4580]

During her debut on Letterman in 95’, she did ‘ You Oughta’ Know’. A guy in the front row had no clue who she was. When she was done, he said: “She scared the bejeezus out of me.” She is a powerhouse…

[@jovana_r]

Great reaction, Amy! This song was a surprise but I am so glad you listened to it and liked it. I've always loved this song and it was really interesting to see your take on it. Btw, 90s were amazing in many different ways. I'd say that it was the period where the music was the most colourful (in my opinion, at least) and still very raw. Everyone was able to find something for themselves.

[@welcometogeektown]

One of my favorite Alanis songs is called "Unsent" and is one I think you'd enjoy. It's basically little notes to past exes/crushes/etc. that apparently she never told them (hence the title).

[@refnar8772]

I like "Thank U" from her a lot, kind of a difficult song. But very interesting and nice, in my opinion.

[@lukeharris6144]

You have to listen to her other songs on the album. Her voice is out of this world this song doesn't do it justice. Her range is out of this world and her voice is totally unique. One musician to another. I will be waiting with baited breath for your reaction to her other songs.

[@GoodStuffForeverMore]

Epic tune! Alanis Morissette like the other💃

[@umunhum]

Long story short I was asked to photograph a record company viewing of her performing live in a club....60 or 70 people in the audience, a month before her debut album took over pop culture for the next several years.....she is incredibly talented as a live performer. I was blown away seeing her for the first time, before most had even heard her name.

[@tinagilbert8902]

I think maybe the word you were looking for to describe her voice is "whimsical". For me, her voice is/has always been light and airy and gives me such a playful, innocent whimsical vibe.😊 Anyway, this was a fun one!! Loved your reaction to it!! Peace and light...💞

[@MrCatandMe]

Alanis Morissette is also famous for another song, "You Oughta Know," which explores the inherent angst of ended relationships from the female perspective. At the time, the song's lyrical detail jarred the consciousness of every dating-aged male who heard it.

[@HabaneroTi]

The angst comes not only the breakup but seeing her ex with another woman and wondering what he finds in his new beau that he didn't find in her, and the bitterness, anger and confusion that comes from it. It's the old saying "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned" put to music.

[@ArtofFreeSpeech]

I've never really understood those who think "You Oughta Know" is necessarily from a female perspective. I'm a guy and I've felt exactly the way she mentions. I mean, there are individual lines which are clearly female, but the vast majority has no gender bias.

[@Heathcoatman]

This song also had Dave Navarro on guitar and Flea on bass, the only tracks they were on from this album. Great song but I'm not sure the lyrics are as gynocentric as you do. It's about seeing a former partner acting in ways with their new lover that they could never give you. Guys have had this happen to them as well and can relate.

[@darkbulbs]

Not sure why you felt the need to force the song to have a female only perspective.

[@Neofolis]

Alanis and Glen both came from a pop background, so the Jagged Little Pill album was very unexpected in it's musical direction. It was the highest selling debut album ever at the time and, as others have said, is filled with well written and well loved songs.

[@timfrank1262]

“You Oughta Know” and “All I Really Want” are two tracks that I never skip. The whole Jagged Little Pill album is great and one of my top 10 albums of the 90s, which is saying something because almost all my favorite albums are from the 90s.

[@MJSmithGroup]

The more of her stuff you listen to, the more "emotive" fits as a description.

[@Payne2view]

This being off her 'Jagged little pill' album, which was massive in the 90s. She was a 'pop princess' in Canada and this was her change of direction where she let out a few feelings people found a bit raw at the time (including swearing in one of her tracks). Its a shame that 'Jagged little pill' is her best known album because she has done a lot more equally good & varied work in the years since. After being someone made famous for youthful angst & 'rage', she has settled down, married, had kids and turned 50 this year. (which makes me feel old too).

[@Marnie-hates-winter]

Can you recommend a couple or a few later songs I should listen to?

[@allisonal]

So cool that you liked this. Jagged Little Pill boasts this and a number of other blockbuster singles. A stunning album. And Alanis Morissette is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to solo female rock from the 90s. So much for you to dive into!

[@alasdairmacdonald9838]

Didn't much keep up with Alanis after this album but man it's still a masterpiece. Extremely well written and performed and just some mind blowing production quality.

[@mightyV444]

Yeah I'd lost track of her after her _second_ album, and 'Thank U' and 'Uninvited' are the only two songs from it I still remember.

[@steveryan1799]

So superb.

[@tazgecko]

Jagged Little Pill is one of those albums you should have in your collection, a classic.

[@coyote4237]

True. One of the two best of the 90s.

[@loveandabcs]

Do people still have albums and music collections? I hope so. But didn't think so. I'm 60.

[@fabskimo]

you are so "unique" in the way you describe songs and voices. you have that special ability to take me with you to the core of the emotions. that's why i watch your videos. thanks 🤗

[@HellenKillerProject]

This was a great time and Alanis stood out. Another Canadian with the same flare was Ani DiFranco, and she is worth a listen. Her family had a hit with "Heart Beat (it's a love beat)" in 1973. "You Oughta Know" is another really amazing song by Alanis.... This was a pretty good time for differing styles of music. Thanks for you taking a listen.

[@JayyeStone]

Your kaleidoscope analogy is brilliant IMO. Nice reaction

[@Citizenesse8]

I really love what Alanis Morissette brought to the table then and still continues to do so now especially as newer generations are discovering her music. I hope you're able to delve more into her work. I believe that you would really enjoy the song Uninvited.

[@kylethomson2449]

I'm glad to see you enjoy this song. For the fun of it. The lightness off it. Have done Devon Townsend - Kingdom live?

[@70centurian]

Amazing Album....! Every song is Great.....!

[@soluna2252]

90's absolute classic!

[@OldManStories0]

I think you would love her song UNINVITED, very different.

[@ValentineMichaelSmit]

If you want a "now for something completely different" moment, her "Uninvited" from the "City of Angels" soundtrack would be that. It's haunting.

[@0636421]

Both Thank u and You learn have a kind of quality that really hit me emotionally on occasion. Something a bit like an authentic innocence expressing coming through life's pains that make you reflect on your own. Such a beautiful natural voice. Uninvited is also great, would recommend it after those 2. The whole jaged little pill album is a classic with flea on the bass!

[@mikelistman5263]

Thanks for this...nice analysis of the vocal...Alanis sounded really good to me, after many years. Have to revisit Jagged Little Pill.

[@Abner-qe6hz]

Great song. I would recommend listening to Snarky Puppy’s “Lingus “. The keyboard solo will blow your mind.

[@davidmaholchic6146]

Love her love you

[@ShadowRyu]

I remember when you first started exploring rock/metal yiu started with "and justice for all" from Metallica and you weren't sure if you should continue with rhe genre. And im sooooo happy you atuck with it. Seeing you get excited about this abd some of tge others you listened to is amazing :)

[@sultanofswing44]

Shes got a bunch of awesome songs. Thank you, uninvited, you learn, you oughtta know, hand in my pocket etc etc.

[@mannyfran8024]

The whole Jagged Little Pill was so iconic they made a Tony nominated Broadway play about it. I saw the traveling version of it in Winnipeg. Fantastic. I believe it was the soundtrack of many a divorce😊, empowering women everywhere. And Canadians Alanis, Celine, Shania Twain and Brian Adams dominated the charts in the 90s 🇨🇦

[@foxdenham]

Good review Amy. The tone of her voice sits well in the 'mix' (many female rock voices get lost in the distorted guitar frequencies).

[@impek667]

this is such a great song!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@thomassharmer7127]

I was very busy in the nineties. I certainly heard this track and liked it, but never explored further. I think it's high time I did. I like 'kaleidiscopic'. Great word!

[@chinopuertorico]

Shes so underrated and still going.

[@colindonald3161]

It’s ironic having a classical trained musician reacting to this 😂

[@manbearpig7359]

It's not ironic that that you have 10000 spoons when you need a knife. Ironic is finding out later on that a spoon would have worked just as well as the knife

[@greggibson33]

Amazing song from an amazing album... giant smash that year. At least a half a dozen songs getting air time.

[@envirogeekyyc]

I would suggest You Learn as your next Alanis song, based on your starting with Ironic and the thoughts you raised. Save You Oughta Know for down the roadz

[@stopgeorge]

Good Canadian kid from the nation's capital of Ottawa! She was a bit of a one-album wonder. But it was huge in the 90's. Another fantastic 90's hard rock band from Canada I would definitely check out is "The Tea Party". They have such a unique, yet familiar, sound that I think you'll love. They were huge in Canada and Australia. But I've always considered them underrated as they never really made it big in the US.

[@TheAgentAssassin]

You gotta review "Thank You" from her. sweet song

[@Pugwash.]

Jagged Little Pill stayed on loop playback for two weeks when it came out. I like her live performances too where she sounds less processed. Her live version of Uninvited is great.

[@Guitarrazo]

more Alanis pleaseeee

[@jollyjakelovell4787]

All lyrics are written by Alanis Morissette; all music is composed by Alanis Morissette and Glen Ballard.

[@richlisola1]

She’s a goddess

[@criss_v33]

Alanis was a part of my teen age and brought so much empowerment to women that time, still do actually. She broke many paradigms in the 90s, she was heavily criticized for the machismo that exist(ed) in show business at the time because she decided to talk about it and some abvses in her songs. The album Jagged Little Pill is very close to my heart and I say that every young women should give a chance to it! Her voice is really unique!

[@gagamemnonripe]

You bet she's unique! (a classic rock fan here) Always very smart writing from her. She's one incredibly smart and courageous woman! Many great songs. My personal favourite: "You ought to know": 19 year-old Alanis on a David Letterman Show. This and its counterpoint: "Thank You!"

[@marceror]

I love Alannis, and I wore out my Jagged Little Pill album back in the day. I do think it is "ironic" that she wrote a song called ironic that had essentially no examples of irony in it. :) She calls out situations that are unfortunate, rather than truly ironic. Another one of her lighthearted hits that you may enjoy is Hand in My Pocket. You Oughta Know is one of my favorites from her, but this is a bit of a darker piece -- she is wrestling with being left by a boyfriend for another girl. The entire Jagged Little Pill album is suggested listening.

[@davidlfort]

The song features narrative irony, rather than pure irony.

[@dboss7239]

She had a number of hits. There are similar "pop" numbers that have elements of rock in them. Like 4 Non Blondes, "What's Up"; Or Bare Naked Ladies "It's All Been Done"; or Blues Traveler "Runaround", or even Nena "99 Luftballons"; or Sheryl Crow "If It Makes You Happy"....

[@mightyV444]

Yes, this is in a similar vein as 'What's Up' - just way better executed, by my standards 😅

[@JohnnyJohnny-f5o]

Jagged Little Pill really captured the vibe of the 90's well. Iconic album

[@georgetitsworth7991]

The whole album, Jagged Little pill is great!

[@SteveMenardDesignDXM]

Please check out two of her other songs, "Thank You" (1998) and "Everything" (2004), especially the video versions. They capture her vulnerability and snippets of her life journey from when she became a public figure.

[@thabudmaster]

Hope you listen to more Alanis, 'You Oughta Know' or some of her live performances really show the instruments more ;)

[@BlaineStewart123]

"Uninvited" is an Alanis song I think you'd really love to check out. It's from 1997 or 98 I believe.

[@golyno]

I think that when you are covering rock songs and stuff around, American Pie is a must.

[@mattsoloway500]

You can definitely use the word unique for her! I agree the word is way overused, but Alanis truly is. I enjoyed watching you react to this! I wish I could hear this for the first time again.

[@Pegasus-6012]

“Uninvited” is the real highlight for me, from this album.

[@mightyV444]

It's on the album that followed this one! 😉

[@GarionOrb]

"Uninvited" is not from either Jagged Little Pill nor Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie. It's off of the City of Angels soundtrack originally, and was later included on her greatest hits album, The Collection.

[@mightyV444]

@@GarionOrb - Really? 😳 I must've remembered it wrong then! Been 25 years or so since I'd bought the '...Junkie' album and almost as long since I'd last listened to it! 😅 Thank you for the info! 😀👍

[@GarionOrb]

@@mightyV444 It might've been a bonus track in one country on Junkie (or at least an alternate version of the song). But it's not part of the album on most versions.

[@mightyV444]

@@GarionOrb - I'd bought it in Germany, not long after 'Thank U' had been released as a Single and a couple of years before I moved to NZ; I left the CD behind, along with many others, so am unable to just grab it and check its track list 😄 But I will investigate 🙂 I do remember that 'Jagged Little Pill' was the same as anywhere else, with a different mix of 'You Oughta Know' as bonus track plus a vocals-only song as a hidden track 🙂

[@isthatwhatemptymeans8222]

Her most well known song is "You Oughtta Know" written about Dave Collier the actor/comedian from Full House. Her greatest vocal performance is "Uninvited" and most undervalued/underrated song is "Your House" which is a capella

[@DC_Prox]

Around the same time that Jagged Little Pill hit it big, there was also a singer named Chantal Kreviazuk on the radio. Alanis had originally released pop music under just the name Alanis, and there had also been a pop singer named Chantal in the late 80s, so there was a brief time when I thought that we had two parallel cases of mononym pop singers who reclaimed their surname after changing musical outlooks. But I was wrong, Kreviazuk was a completely different Chantal.

[@glennz8352]

So many high quality hits to choose from by Alanis, I do hope you explore a little further. "You Oughta Know" is a bit of an outlier in terms of its vibe and emotional wallop, I think - it packs quite a punch, so I hope you get to hear this side of what she brings.

[@MartinJessop-bi4yt]

I love this song and the accompanying album. Its a shame her second album was so experimental and she disappeared off the radar. Anybody out there like that album? I saw Alanis on the tour of that album and i think the audience found the tracks tough to listen to. If she hadn't done an acoustic set of tracks off jagged little pill i think there would have been a riot! Great reaction video by the way.

[@atleengelstad5303]

Look forward to when you take up on Sheryl Crow s first album,,,,,, and please ...let the Beatles reactions keep coming.... that was what got me hooked on this channel in the first place....

[@GarionOrb]

Her voice is definitely unique among vocalists. And she does write all her music. Glen Ballard did production on the track (and album).

[@jonathanhenderson9422]

The entire album this song was from was one of the biggest of the 90s. All the singles were hits and were played nonstop. Despite it being overplayed it's still a favorite of mine. The songwriting and production still hold up. Try You Oughta Know for a completely different side of Alanis. Probably THE song that made her associated with the "confessional" style as it was about a personal breakup she had with a celebrity.

[@1984kylea]

This was from her debut album which sold over 30,000,000 copies. She was incredibly popular 30 years ago.

[@YerpDerp17]

We need more Alanis and Fiona Apple! Both beautiful voices, fantastic writing and amazing musicians from the 90's. This is a great song, but it is pop, like you said. I would say easily her most pop song, though not in a bad way. She does have way more songs that sound vastly different from this one, that I do think you would very much enjoy!

[@ArtofFreeSpeech]

Unlike many in the comments section, my favorites of Alanis are really among her less well known songs. "All I Really Want", "Joining You" (literally saved my life), "Unsent", "Hands Clean", "Precious Illusions", "That Particular Time", "Bent 4 U", "Simple Together" all move the needle for me more than her most popular songs (though "Hands Clean" is probably among her most popular).

[@AndrewPrintup-wu2tb]

I would like to suggest a reaction to The Sundays. I would start with My Finest Hour as a first reaction. I have never heard Harriet Wheeler sing in person but it remains a dream of mine.

[@andymccabe6712]

Yeah, great band ...I've heard her sing..lovely ...!!!

[@karaboltz7709]

There are so many excellent female singers. My personal favorite is Neko Case who has a very natural, clear voice. She is also an amazing lyricist. I would also recommend Delores O'Riordin of the Cranberries, Stevie Nicks solo or with Fleetwood Mac, Harriet Wheeler of The Sundays, PJ Harvey, and Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders.

[@Infinityedge00]

Jagged Little Pill is a true classic album. You should do “you outta know” for her harder rock side. But she didn’t flame out after one album, she has continued releasing new ones and is currently touring (I got tickets for the fall!). Try “reasons why I drink” for a later song that is also a retrospective on her career, especially if you watch the music video.

[@skeezix8156]

She’s definitely in that special group. Anne Wilson, Linda Ronstadt, Stevie Nicks, Pat Benatar and Alanis

[@terrykennedy-lares8840]

Alanis Morissette is one of those performers everyone has to respect....because She's God!

[@IanHodgetts]

"That quicksilver quality" SPOT ON!

[@madelefanni749]

Una delle cantautrici che mi piacciono di più. Ho ascoltato soprattutto il suo primo album, "jagged little pill", quello più arrabbiato, decine di volte in macchina, urlando come lei. Catartico😁 Ma una delle sue canzoni che mi piacciono di più è in "supposed former infatuation junkie" e si intitola "joining you" ... feel free call me a little more often...

[@jcarroll135]

UNINVITED! That is a robust sounding song by Alanas that I personally LOVE! I think Jagged little pill was one of the best albums of my generation:) I do believe you would like this one either way.

[@jcarroll135]

I swear I didn't read any comments before I wrote that.. lol ironic?? Or obvious?

[@Teeklin]

Great reaction! I think you'd really like to hear Blues Traveler and their song "Hook" which has a similar vibe of "wow this is musically amazing" while also being funny and polished. Although lyrically Hook is much deeper (kind of brilliant really) it has that same popular 90s feel. And the best harmonica player in rock. Also note that Ironic was her least favorite song from her first album and was written and recorded in no time. Every other song on the album is much more personal and feels much less funny. Jagged Little Pill is an amazing album, listen to the whole thing!

[@garryiglesias4074]

I love this album (Jagged little pill), it might be the second "female artist" CD I bought in my youth, after Ella Fitzgerald. Yes it's "poppy", and "girly", but I love it, beside my "rock" background.

[@thethegreenmachine]

She's very good at putting emotion into her voice. If you watch the video for this song, watch Weird Al's video of it after :)

[@SG-Cichlids]

I feel very blessed to have grown up in the 90's. To me it was like a better version of the 60's. Without all the gd hippies. Musically i think it was the greatest decade so far.

[@davidlfort]

The 90s were when national companies running the recording and radio industries were "discovering" and raiding local and regional scenes, bringing examples of mature regional styles to people outside of that region, which made for a very ecclectic listening experience. However, the broadening of the industry placed pressure on regional styles to conform to national trends, meaning that their new found popularity was often the cause of their demise.

[@scampydog2318]

Stuck in a traffic jam, when your driving to chair the meeting about how to solve traffic congestion, annnd are already late 🎶

[@SlitherWhisp]

You did to listen to her songs Uninvited, Baba, and her acoustic version of Perfect.

[@PaulForeman-indievisuals]

Is it Ironic that none of the things are Ironic... Clever girl! 😊