Smiling (song)

Last updated
"Smiling"
Alanis Morissette - Smiling.png
Single by Alanis Morissette
from the album Such Pretty Forks in the Road
ReleasedFebruary 21, 2020 (2020-02-21)
Length4:17
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Alex Hope
Alanis Morissette singles chronology
"Reasons I Drink"
(2019)
"Smiling"
(2020)
"Diagnosis"
(2020)

"Smiling" is a song by Canadian-American singer Alanis Morissette co-written by Morissette and Michael Farrell. It was one of two new songs written for the Broadway adaptation of Morissette's 1995 album, Jagged Little Pill , and later released as the second single from her ninth studio album, Such Pretty Forks in the Road , on February 21, 2020. [1] The album's title is taken from a lyric in this song. Morissette subsequently released a duet version of the song featuring Jagged Little Pill actress Elizabeth Stanley with the rest of the cast on backing vocals.

Contents

Tracklist

F9 Remix Single [2]
  1. "Smiling" (F9 Radio Remix) - 3:27
  2. "Smiling" (F9 Club Remix) - 5:27
Bil Bless Remix Single [3]
  1. "Smiling" (Bil Bless Remix) (with Elizabeth Stanley and Original Broadway Cast of Jagged Little Pill ) - 4:40
Elizabeth Stanley & Jagged Little Pill version [4]
  1. "Smiling" (with Elizabeth Stanley and Original Broadway Cast of Jagged Little Pill) - 3:52

In Jagged Little Pill

In Jagged Little Pill , the song appears in the first act sung by Mary Jane (MJ) Healy, the matriarch of a suburban Connecticut family. In the scene, she is singing about her feelings of having to keep up appearances while dealing with the pressures of motherhood and everyday life, as well as struggling with an addiction to painkillers following a car accident. The song is sung right after a pharmacist refuses to provide further pain medication as her prescription has run out. Desperate, she buys opioids off the street from a familiar dealer. During the song, MJ's day is shown in reverse, detailing her life and addiction from unpacking groceries to the street deal to running out of medication in the morning. [5]

Charts

Chart (2020)Peak
position
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade) [6] 23
US Rock Digital Song Sales ( Billboard ) [7] 4
Top Singles France [8] 185

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Smiling"
RegionDateFormatVersionLabel
VariousFebruary 21, 2020Original
  • Epiphany
  • Thirty Tigers
April 3, 2020F9 Remix
June 30, 2020Bli Bless Remix
July 3, 2020Elizabeth Stanley version Atlantic

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alanis Morissette</span> Canadian-American singer (born 1974)

Alanis Nadine Morissette is a Canadian and American singer and songwriter. She is known for her emotive mezzo-soprano voice and confessional songwriting. Morissette began her career in Canada in the early 1990s with two dance-pop albums. In 1995, she released Jagged Little Pill, an alternative rock-oriented album with elements of post-grunge. This album sold more than 33 million copies globally, propelling her to become a cultural phenomenon. It earned her the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1996 and was adapted into a rock musical of the same name in 2017. The musical earned fifteen Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical. Additionally, the album was listed in Rolling Stone's 2003 and 2020 editions of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time" guide. The lead single, "You Oughta Know", was also included at #103 in their "500 Greatest Songs of All Time".

<i>Jagged Little Pill</i> 1995 studio album by Alanis Morissette

Jagged Little Pill is the third studio album by Canadian singer Alanis Morissette, released on June 13, 1995, through Maverick and her first album to be released worldwide. It marked a stylistic departure from the dance-pop sound of her first two albums, Alanis (1991) and Now Is the Time (1992). Morissette began work on the album after moving from her hometown Ottawa to Los Angeles, where she met producer Glen Ballard. Morissette and Ballard had an instant connection and began co-writing and experimenting with sounds. The experimentation resulted in an alternative rock album that takes influence from post-grunge and pop rock, and features guitars, keyboards, drum machines, and harmonica. The lyrics touch upon themes of aggression and unsuccessful relationships, while Ballard introduced a pop sensibility to Morissette's angst. The title of the album is taken from a line in the first verse of the song "You Learn".

<i>So-Called Chaos</i> 2004 studio album by Alanis Morissette

So-Called Chaos is the sixth studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette, released on May 18, 2004, through Maverick Records. It was preceded by the single "Everything" on April 13, which went on to become Morissette's lowest peaking song on the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 76. The album was met with mixed reviews from critics upon release, with some calling it her most accessible record since Jagged Little Pill (1995) while others criticized the project's confusing messages and felt the singer had lost what made her a cultural icon of the '90s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ironic (song)</span> 1996 single by Alanis Morissette

"Ironic" is a song by Canadian singer Alanis Morissette. It was released in February 1996 as the third single from her third studio album, Jagged Little Pill (1995). It was written by Morissette and Glen Ballard, and was produced by him. "Ironic" is a song written in the key of B major, and includes a moderate tempo of eighty-five beats per minute. The lyrics present several situations that are described as "ironic"; this has led to debate as to whether any of these actually match the accepted meaning of irony.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Oughta Know</span> 1995 single by Alanis Morissette

"You Oughta Know" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette, released as the lead single from her third studio album, Jagged Little Pill (1995), on July 6, 1995. After releasing two studio albums, Morissette left MCA Records Canada and was introduced to manager Scott Welch. Morissette began working on new music after moving from her hometown of Ottawa to Toronto, but made little progress. In Los Angeles, she met producer Glen Ballard, with whom she wrote songs including "You Oughta Know".

<i>MTV Unplugged</i> (Alanis Morissette album) 1999 live album by Alanis Morissette

MTV Unplugged is the first live album by Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette, released by Maverick Records in the United States on November 9, 1999. It comprises songs performed by Morissette on the television program MTV Unplugged. Twelve tracks were included on the album, but Morissette also performed "Baba", "Thank U" and "Your House" during the live taping. These were later released as B-sides on the "King of Pain" single release. The first single, "That I Would Be Good", was moderately successful, and two other tracks, "King of Pain" and "You Learn" were released as singles outside North America. As of March 2012, the album has sold 673,000 copies in the U.S.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Head over Feet</span> 1996 single by Alanis Morissette

"Head over Feet" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette, taken from her third studio album Jagged Little Pill (1995). Written by Alanis and Glen Ballard, and produced by Ballard, it was released as the album's fifth single in July 1996 and presented a softer sound than the previous singles from the album. "Head over Feet" talks about being best friends and lovers with someone at the same time, with Alanis thanking them for their manners, love and devotion.

<i>Jagged Little Pill Acoustic</i> 2005 studio album by Alanis Morissette

Jagged Little Pill Acoustic is a studio album by Alanis Morissette. It is a largely acoustic retrospective version of her highly successful third album, Jagged Little Pill (1995); the songs are stripped-down versions of the originals, though producer Glen Ballard has augmented them with studio production effects to create an alternative pop album. The album was released by Maverick Records in the United States on June 13, 2005, available only at North American Starbucks outlets until July 26, 2005, when it was made available in other retail stores. This limited availability led to a dispute between Maverick Records and HMV Canada, who retaliated by removing from sale Morissette's other albums for the duration of Starbucks' exclusive month-long sale. The album's single in the U.S. was "Hand in My Pocket". The cover artwork is a sepia-toned tribute to the cover of the original Jagged Little Pill.

<i>Alanis</i> (album) 1991 studio album by Alanis Morissette

Alanis is the debut studio album by Alanis Morissette, released only in Canada on April 16, 1991, by MCA Records Canada. Morissette recorded the album with Leslie Howe, who also produced her second album Now Is the Time (1992), and it was certified platinum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Learn</span> 1996 single by Alanis Morissette

"You Learn" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette from her third studio album, Jagged Little Pill (1995). It was written by Morissette and Glen Ballard, the album's producer. Maverick and Warner Bros. Records released the song as the album's fourth single. The lyrics state that valuable lessons are learned from poor decisions. The album title is taken from this song's line "Swallow it down ".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All I Really Want (Alanis Morissette song)</span> 1996 single by Alanis Morissette

"All I Really Want" is a song written by Alanis Morissette and Glen Ballard, and produced by Ballard for Morissette's third album, Jagged Little Pill (1995). It was released as the album's sixth and final single in the United Kingdom in November 1996, in the United States the following month, and in Australia in February 1997. The song is also the opening track of Jagged Little Pill. It was the last song written for Jagged Little Pill but originated from a song called "The Bottom Line", which was the first song Morissette wrote with Glen Ballard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hand in My Pocket</span> 1995 single by Alanis Morissette

"Hand in My Pocket" is a song by Canadian recording artist and songwriter Alanis Morissette from her third studio album, Jagged Little Pill (1995). The song was written by Morissette and Glen Ballard and was released as the second single from the album on October 16, 1995, five months after the album release. The song received generally favorable reviews from music critics, who applauded Morissette's songwriting.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Too Hot (Alanis Morissette song)</span> 1991 single by Alanis Morissette

"Too Hot" is a dance-pop and new jack swing song co-written by Alanis Morissette and Leslie Howe, and produced by Howe for Morissette's debut album, Alanis (1991). It was released as the album's first single in May 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alanis Morissette discography</span>

The discography of Canadian-American singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette comprises 10 studio albums, three live albums, six compilation albums, two extended plays, 46 singles, 12 promotional singles, six video albums, and 41 music videos. She has sold more than 85 million albums worldwide.

<i>Flavors of Entanglement</i> 2008 studio album by Alanis Morissette

Flavors of Entanglement is the seventh studio album, fifth international release and last Maverick Records release by Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette. The album, which was originally set for an April release, came out on May 30, 2008, in Germany, Benelux, and Ireland, internationally on June 2, and in the United States on June 10. It was produced by Guy Sigsworth. Flavors won Pop Album of the Year prize at the 2009 Juno Awards. The album gets its name from a lyric in the track "Moratorium".

<i>Jagged Little Pill</i> (musical) 2018 rock musical

Jagged Little Pill is a jukebox musical with music by Alanis Morissette and Glen Ballard, lyrics by Morissette, and book by Diablo Cody, with additional music by Michael Farrell and Guy Sigsworth. The musical is inspired by the 1995 album of the same name by Morissette and deals with pain, healing, and empowerment. It premiered at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on May 5, 2018, directed by Diane Paulus.

<i>Such Pretty Forks in the Road</i> Album by Alanis Morissette

Such Pretty Forks in the Road is the ninth studio album by Canadian-American singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette, released on July 31, 2020, through Epiphany Music and Thirty Tigers in North America, and by RCA and Sony Music in Europe. It is Morissette's first studio album in eight years, following 2012's Havoc and Bright Lights.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elizabeth Stanley (actress)</span> American stage actor and singer (born 1978)

Elizabeth Stanley is an American stage actor and singer. She has originated a number of main and featured roles in Broadway musicals, including Allison in Cry-Baby and Dyanne in Million Dollar Quartet. In 2020, Stanley was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Mary Jane Healy in Jagged Little Pill.

Kathryn Gallagher is an American singer and actress best known for her portrayal of Bella Fox in the Broadway musical Jagged Little Pill, for which she received a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album and a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Celia Rose Gooding</span> American actor and singer

Celia Rose Gooding is an American actor and singer. They made their Broadway debut and rose to prominence for the role of Mary Frances "Frankie" Healy in the rock musical Jagged Little Pill for which they won a 2021 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album and were nominated for a 2020 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical, becoming one of the youngest nominees in the category at age 20. Their mother is LaChanze, an American actress, singer, and dancer. Gooding plays the role of Nyota Uhura in the Paramount+ original series Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (2022–present).

References

  1. Monroe, Jazz (February 21, 2020). "Listen to Alanis Morissette's New Song "Smiling"". Pitchfork.com. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
  2. "Smiling (F9 Remix) - Single". Apple Music. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
  3. "Smiling (feat. Elizabeth Stanley) [Bil Bless Remix] - Single". Apple Music. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
  4. "Smiling - Single". Apple Music. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
  5. Alter, Rebecca (February 21, 2020). "Alanis Morissette's New Single 'Smiling' Might Make You Sad, Isn't That Ironic?". Vulture.com. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
  6. "Tipparade-lijst van week 12, 2020" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 . Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  7. "Rock Digital Song Sales: March 7, 2020". Billboard.com. March 3, 2020. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  8. "Alanis Morissette - Smiling (single)". Chartsinfrance.net. Retrieved 9 December 2021.