Alanis Morissette
Alanis Morissette
Alanis Morissette
Alanis Morissette
Alanis Morissette
Alanis Morissette
Alanis Morissette
Alanis Morissette
Alanis Morissette
Alanis Morissette
Alanis Morissette
Alanis Morissette
Alanis Morissette
The ultimate “bad break-up” song. The song discusses the fallout of a breakup and is notable for the raw emotion expressed by Morissette, a trend that was just appearing among female artists at this time, especially in terms of sexuality.
The lead single from Alanis’s breakthrough album Jagged Litt...
[Verse 1]
I want you to know that I'm happy for you
I wish nothing but the best for you both
An older version of me, is she perverted like me?
Would she go down on you in a theatre?
Does she speak eloquently? And would she have your baby?
I'm sure she'd make a really excellent mother
[Pre-Chorus]
'Cause the love that you gave that we made
Wasn't able to make it enough for you to be open wide, no
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
[Chorus]
And I'm here to remind you
Of the mess you left when you went away
It's not fair to deny me
Of the cross I bear that you gave to me
You, you, you oughta know
[Verse 2]
You seem very well, things look peaceful
I'm not quite as well, I thought you should know
Did you forget about me Mr. Duplicity?
I hate to bug you in the middle of dinner
It was a slap in the face how quickly I was replaced
And are you thinkin' of me when you fuck her?
[Pre-Chorus]
'Cause the love that you gave that we made
Wasn't able to make it enough for you to be open wide, no
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
[Chorus]
And I'm here to remind you
Of the mess you left when you went away
It's not fair to deny me
Of the cross I bear that you gave to me
You, you, you oughta know
[Bridge]
'Cause the joke that you laid in the bed that was me
And I'm not gonna fade as soon as you close your eyes
And you know it
And every time I scratch my nails
Down someone else's back I hope you feel it
Well, can you feel it?
[Chorus]
Well, I'm here to remind you
Of the mess you left when you went away
It's not fair to deny me
Of the cross I bear that you gave to me
You, you, you oughta know
Why I'm here to remind you
Of the mess you left when you went away
It's not fair to deny me
Of the cross I bear that you gave to me
You, you, you oughta know
You Oughta Know was written by Glen Ballard & Alanis Morissette.
You Oughta Know was produced by Glen Ballard.
Alanis Morissette released You Oughta Know on Thu Jul 06 1995.
Alanis Morissette said,
I thought, this is exactly how I feel, but I don’t want to hurt anybody. [Glen Ballard] just said, ‘You have to do this.’
Glen Ballard told Q Magazine in 1999:
I was there to say, ‘That’s really you, that’s what it should be, and it’s beautiful.’ When she stood behind that...
Alanis Morissette:
When “You Oughta Know” was first sent out to radio stations, the response was, “We’re actually playing Sinéad O'Connor, so we’re good.” Or, “We have Tori Amos in our rotation. We can’t add another woman. Sorry.” That changed pretty fricking quickly. I saw that the wave was coming...