You Learn - Alanis Morrissette (1996)
To commemorate Alanis heading to the UK on tour in July, our LCM Classic this week 'You Learn' one of lead singles from her third studio album 'Jagged Little Pill' released in 1996. It's one of the best selling albums of the 1990's and one of the best selling albums of all time. The album was released in June 1995, yes that's almost 23 years ago (no I can't believe it either). Jagged Little Pill was nominated for nine Grammy Awards, winning five, including Album of the Year, making Alanis the youngest artist in history to win the honor, a record she held until 2010, when Taylor Swift won this prize with Fearless (2008).
"You Learn" is a mid-tempo self-help rock song, the song features Alanis giving out the very sage advice; "Ditch the fear, open your heart, speak your mind, and when the going gets tough, walk around the house naked."
Another question raised in the video would be 'Why would you take a horse to a basketball game......and why is nobody bothered when she does?' Just asking for a friend
The song was written by Alanis and Glen Ballard, who also produced the entire album. Maverick and Warner Bros. Records released the song as the album's fifth single. Musically, the song speaks of the importance of poor decision making in life by explaining that these decisions can teach valuable lessons. The album title is taken from the line "Swallow it down (what a jagged little pill)". The song received generally positive reviews from most music critics, many highlighting the song as an album standout. The song was a commercial success globally, only charting in North America and the Oceanic regions. A music video was shot for the single, showing Alanis walking through the streets, which could picture daily things that Alanis regrets and makes up for it, similar to the theme of the song's lyrical content.