Over the next two weeks, I’ll look at 1995 albums that didn’t make my personal top ten, either because I’ve never heard them or I haven’t heard them enough to qualify.
Or, in today’s case, because the album isn’t a favorite but it’s too big to deny.
Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill was not only the top-selling album of 1995, it is the 14th top-selling album worldwide of all time, and the highest-selling debut album in history.
This alternative rock album by a Canadian singer-songwriter spent three months atop Billboard’s Top 200 albums list. Morissette, with her distinctive vocals and frank lyrics, gave voice to a generation of young women by airing out her own anger and insecurity.
Surprisingly, the album didn’t produce a #1 hit. The highest charter was ‘Ironic,’ which reached #4, followed by ‘You Learn’ at #6. First single ‘You Oughta Know’ was an alternative radio hit, but perhaps a bit too aggressive musically and lyrically to achieve mainstream success.
For my money, this song is the best thing on the album. It’s one of the great angry breakup songs, and an inspiration for the next three decades of confessional songwriters.
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
Meet Me In Montauk 
We were just going through the top 100 albums of all time recently released by Apple Music, and this one made the list. Pretty impressive for a debut album!
Wow that’s one angry woman!
Dave Navarro on guitar and Flea playing bass. What a killer song!