Alanis Morissette Shares a Thoughtful Take on the ‘Ironic’ Debate from Her ’90s Hit

Alanis Morissette performing in 1996.
Credit:

Steve McNeil/Daily Record/Mirrorpix via Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• Alanis Morissette’s 1995 third album Jagged Little Pill sold nearly 20 million copies.
• “Ironic” was the third U.S. single from the album.
• The song was nominated for the record of the year Grammy at the 1997 ceremony.

If social media had existed back in 1996, it’s likely that pop and rock fans would have engaged in a heated online debate over Alanis Morissette’s song “Ironic.” Critics at the time noted that the song, the third U.S. single from her acclaimed 1995 album Jagged Little Pill, appeared to misinterpret the concept of “irony.” Ironically, wasn’t that itself a bit ironic?

The Canadian Grammy winner, however, did not require social media to recognize the scrutiny surrounding her lyrics.

Nearly 30 years later, the now 51-year-old Morissette remains unfazed by the critiques surrounding lines like “rain on your wedding day” and “a free ride when you’ve already paid,” which are often cited as examples of life’s frustrations rather than true irony. In the upcoming episode of the MGM+ series Words + Music, premiering December 21, Morissette discusses the controversy that might have caused an internet uproar had it existed.

“When Glen [Ballard] and I wrote ‘Ironic’, it was the first song composed for the album,” Morissette reflects. “At the time, I wasn’t writing autobiographically—more so focusing on storytelling and getting to know Glen. I initially didn’t want the song to be part of the record, viewing it as a warm-up, but I eventually grew to love it. It’s noteworthy that it was one of the final songs where I wasn’t fully diving into personal themes.”

Morissette found herself unprepared for the public backlash when “Ironic” followed “Hand in My Pocket” into heavy radio rotation. “People got really triggered by the malapropism,” she notes. “I am a linguist. I’m obsessed with linguistics and love creating new words, and quite frankly, I don’t mind.”

Alanis Morissette on ‘Words + Music’.

Jessica Perez/MGM+

However, she was intrigued by the public’s reaction. “When people are triggered, I often think about what truly lies at the center of those feelings,” she explains. “What are they actually upset about? I believe there’s a fear of looking foolish, especially for someone who identifies as a linguist who misuses a word.”

“But I never placed great significance on it,” she adds. “Most artists around the world don’t overly obsess over their lyrics. So I’m mostly a grammar police advocate, but only partly invested. In this case, the relaxed side prevailed.”

Ultimately, Morissette’s success remained unscathed by the criticisms. Her album Jagged Little Pill sold nearly 20 million copies and garnered four Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year in 1996. The following year, “Ironic” received a nomination for Record of the Year, although it lost to Eric Clapton’s “Change the World.”

Alanis Morissette accepting her album of the year Grammy in 1996.

AP Photo/Eric Draper

Words + Music is a spin-off of an Audible series of the same name and is co-produced by Gunpowder & Sky. Previous episodes have featured musicians such as John Legend, Sheryl Crow, and Elvis Costello.

“Through this new Words + Music series, we’ve allowed musicians to present their songs and stories with engaging visuals and tech-enhanced performance stages,” said Gunpowder & Sky CEO Van Toffler. “Nothing is more human, powerful, or emotional than the combination of music, performance, and imagery.”

He added that Words + Music has surpassed their goal of reimagining and revolutionizing MTV’s classic programs, with a contemporary twist.

The Alanis Morissette episode of Words + Music premieres on December 21 on MGM+.