"Thank U" | ||||
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Single by Alanis Morissette | ||||
from the album Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie | ||||
B-side |
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Released | October 12, 1998 | |||
Recorded | Mid-1998 [1] | |||
Studio | Royaltone (Los Angeles) [1] | |||
Genre | [ citation needed ] | |||
Length | 4:19 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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Alanis Morissette singles chronology | ||||
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Audio sample | ||||
Music video | ||||
"Thank U" on YouTube |
"Thank U" (listed as "Thank You" on her 2005 greatest hits compilation The Collection ) is a song by Canadian-American recording artist and songwriter Alanis Morissette from her fourth studio album, Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie (1998). The song was written by Alanis Morissette and Glen Ballard,who produced her previous album, Jagged Little Pill (1995). Morissette wrote the song after she came back from a trip to India. Maverick and Reprise Records released the song as a single on October 12,1998.
The song received generally positive reviews from music critics and performed well on the record charts,becoming Morissette's fifth number-one single in Canada,reaching the top three in New Zealand and Norway,and peaking within the top ten in several other countries,including the United Kingdom,where it is her highest-charting single. An accompanying music video was released for the single,featuring Morissette nude in the streets. The song was nominated for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 2000 Grammy Awards.
After the massive success of her breakthrough album Jagged Little Pill (1995) (which spawned the worldwide hits,"You Oughta Know","Ironic","Head over Feet","Hand in My Pocket" and "You Learn"),Morissette was considered one of the biggest music stars in the world,and many fans anxiously awaited a follow-up album. During a trip to India,in 1997,Alanis wrote some songs,including "Thank U". In 1998,Morissette contributed with the song "Uninvited" for the soundtrack of the 1998 film City of Angels . [2]
In September of the same year,"Thank U" was released on radio and Alanis talked with MTV about the break between LPs and the first single:"Basically,I had never stopped in my whole life,hadn't taken a long breath,and I took a year and a half off and basically learned how to do that. When I did stop and I was silent and I breathed... I was just left with an immense amount of gratitude,and inspiration,and love,and bliss,and that's where the song came from,you know." [2]
"Thank U" was written and produced by Alanis Morissette and Glen Ballard. "Thank U" is a rock song composed in the key of C major. It is written in common time and moves at a moderate tempo of 91 beats per minute. [3] The song uses a simple chord progression alternating between a tonic C major chord,dominant G major chord,and the subdominant F major chord. [4] The music is simple,mid-tempo rock,with the drum track being a loop of the oft-sampled break in Sly and the Family Stone's "Sing a Simple Song". A delicate electric piano intro underscores Morissette's vocals,which begin by asking,"How bout getting off these antibiotics?" The rest of the song continues with Morissette posing similar provocative questions -- "How bout remembering your divinity?"—and her thanking the circumstances—terror,disillusionment,and consequence,among others—that helped her achieve personal growth. [5]
The lyrics document Morissette's spiritual awakenings following her trip to India,as well as other physical and internal journeys. In "Thank U",Alanis expresses the heartfelt gratitude,inspiration,and compassion that she felt at the time she wrote it. [6] According to Jon Pareles of The New York Times ,the song has "verses of self-help," such as,"How 'bout no longer being masochistic?,how 'bout remembering your divinity?,how 'bout unabashedly bawling your eyes out?." [7] Liana Jones of Allmusic noticed that "There aren't many artists,let alone everyday people,who acknowledge and pay tribute to life's lessons." [5]
Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic picked the song as a highlight from the album,writing that "the textured production functions as a backdrop for Morissette's cryptically introspective lyrics." [8] Liana Jones also of Allmusic wrote that the song's lyrics are "a real boon for contemporary rock music,which tends to be simplistic and hackneyed in its themes." [5] Larry Flick of Billboard praised the singer's performance,acknowledging her "zen-like confidence",calling it "an instantly memorable single that will saturate radio airwaves at all possible formats within a split-second." [9] Daily Record noted that Morissette "returns to angst-ridden form". [10] Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly wrote that the song's structure "creates an immediate catchiness,underpinned and emphasized by Gary Novak's hypnotic drum pattern." Tucker also called 'Thank U,' "a terrific single,with its positive sentiments tucked inside a crystalline melody like a message in a bottle." [11] NME praised the "pleasant,lilting Liz Cocteau-on-a-broomstick style frame." [12] Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone wrote that the song "could've been a pretentious disaster,but instead it's a pretentious stroke of brilliance –she finds something shockingly smart to say about her spiritual crises,riding an indelible Eighties AOR synth hook and wailing like Robert Plant stealing 'Kashmir' back from Jimmy Page and 'Puffy'. [13] Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine called the "soft-rock synth hook" and "the bundle of Morissette's signature list-y lyrics," "anything but ordinary." [14]
"Thank U" debuted on the US Billboard Hot 100 Airplay chart at number 42. [15] A week later,it debuted on the Modern Rock Tracks at number 19. [16] The same week,the song climbed to number 11 on the Hot 100 Airplay chart, [16] On the issue of November 28,1998,"Thank U" topped the Adult Top 40 Tracks chart. [17] On the Billboard Hot 100 chart,"Thank U" peaked at number 17,on the issue date December 5,1998. [18] In Canada,"Thank U" topped the RPM Top Singles chart for three consecutive weeks (six weeks if counting the holiday period in which no charts were published),becoming her fifth number-one single there. [19]
"Thank U" was also successful in the Oceania region. In Australia,it debuted at number 20 and peaked at number 15 on the ARIA Singles Chart,becoming the album's only single that charted there. [20] In New Zealand,the song proved to be more successful,debuting at number six and peaking at number two,becoming Morissette's highest charting-single in New Zealand,until "Hands Clean" peaked at number one in 2002. [21] In Austria,it peaked at number 10,becoming her last top-ten single, [22] while in Norway,"Thank U" was her highest charting-single,peaking at number three. [23] In the United Kingdom,the song was the highest charting-single of Morissette's career,peaking at number five in a week when the whole top five was made up of new entries. [24] It is her second highest-selling single there,only behind "Ironic",which reached number 11. [25]
"Thank U" was nominated for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 2000 Grammy Awards,but lost to Sarah McLachlan's "I Will Remember You". [2] Morissette was nominated for a Juno Award for Songwriter of the Year (for writing the songs "So Pure","Thank U" and "Unsent") at the 2000 edition. Additionally,the song entered About.com's "Top 10 Alanis Morissette Lyrics" list at number 3,with Bill Lamb picking the lyrics,"How about me not blaming you for everything/How about me enjoying the moment for once/How about how good it feels to finally forgive you/How about grieving it all one at a time" as the best. [26]
ReDigi website also listed the "Top 10 Alanis Morissette Songs",picking "Thank U" as her third best song,writing that,"Most of the attention might have been focused on its revealing video,but the angst-ridden melancholy of 'Thank You' works just as well without images of Alanis wandering the streets in her birthday suit." [27]
The music video for the song was directed by French director Stéphane Sednaoui (who previously directed "Ironic" for Morissette) and premiered on October 12,1998,on MTV's Total Request Live . [28] It features Morissette walking around and being embraced by strangers in a variety of public locations,such as in the street,at a supermarket,and on a subway car. [29] Throughout the video,Morissette is completely nude with her long hair shrouding her breasts and her pubic region blurred out. [30] Slight modifications to the video were made before broadcasting by MTV in India and certain other Asian countries. Subsequent replays,however,aired the video in its original format. In May 2001,the video was voted number 66 on VH1's 100 Greatest Videos. [2]
While being asked why she chose to be nude in the video,Morissette said,"Actually,the idea for that video hit me in my shower –I was thinking about the song and its simplicity and its baring itself,and I just thought,'Wouldn't it be great if I could just walk around New York City or grocery stores in just a symbolism of being naked everywhere I went?'. Less about overt sexuality and more about the symbolism of being really raw and naked and intimate in all these environments where you'd seemingly need protection,like in a subway and those kinds of places. So that hit me in the shower and then we executed it." It was filmed in Downtown Los Angeles,under a closed set. [31]
Canadian maxi-single and international CD single [32] [33]
UK 7-inch jukebox single [34]
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
Decade-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA) [70] | Gold | 35,000^ |
Norway (IFPI Norway) [71] | Gold | |
United Kingdom (BPI) [72] | Silver | 275,000 [73] |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Europe | October 12, 1998 | CD | [40] | |
Canada | October 13, 1998 | [1] | ||
United Kingdom | October 19, 1998 |
| [74] | |
Japan | November 2, 1998 | CD | [75] |
Alanis Nadine Morissette is a Canadian and American singer, songwriter and musician known for her emotive mezzo-soprano voice and confessional songwriting. She began her music career in Canada in the early 1990s with two dance-pop albums. In 1995, she released the alternative rock album Jagged Little Pill, which sold more than 33 million copies globally and propelled her to become a cultural phenomenon. Morissette won the 1996 Grammy Award for Album of the Year among other accolades, and the album was adapted into a 2018 rock musical. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has Jagged Little Pill on their 200 Definitive Albums list, and it appeared on various editions of Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Albums of All Time" guide. Its lead single, "You Oughta Know", was also included on Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" list.
"Ironic" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette, released in February 1996 by Maverick and Warner Bros. 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. The lyrics present several situations that are described as "ironic"; this has led to debate as to whether any of these match the accepted meaning of irony.
"Uninvited" is a song by Canadian recording artist and songwriter Alanis Morissette, released as a single from the soundtrack of City of Angels in February 1998, becoming Morissette's first new recording since her international debut album, Jagged Little Pill (1995). Morissette wrote the song and co-produced it with Rob Cavallo. "Uninvited" is driven by four piano notes and builds to an instrumental climax, and haunting atmosphere accompanied by cryptic lyrics.
Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie is the fourth studio album and second internationally released album by singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette, released by Maverick Records in the United States on November 3, 1998.
Under Rug Swept is the fifth studio album and third internationally released album by Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette. Released by Maverick Records in the United States on February 26, 2002, and in the United Kingdom a day earlier, it was the first album Morissette had written and produced all on her own. It debuted at number one on charts in 12 countries, including the United States and Canada, and produced the singles "Hands Clean" and "Precious Illusions". Sales, however, did not match those of Morissette's previous two studio albums.
"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".
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.
"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.
"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 ".
"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.
"Hands Clean" is a song recorded by Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette, for her fifth studio album, Under Rug Swept (2002). It was written, composed, and produced by Morissette and released as the album's lead single in January 2002. It features a shuffling, largely acoustic-rock framework. Lyrically, "Hands Clean" caused controversy, since it is reportedly the singer's recollection of a forbidden sexual relationship she shared with a much older man when she was approximately 14 years of age.
"Joining You" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette from her fourth studio album, Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie (1998). It was released as the album's second single on January 3, 1999. The song distinctly is composed of a verse and chorus in two distantly related keys: C minor and E minor, respectively. "Joining You" peaked at number 16 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.
"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 by Maverick and Reprise, five months after the album release. The song received generally favorable reviews from music critics, who applauded Morissette's songwriting.
"Unsent" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette from her fourth studio album, Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie (1998). The lyrics were written by Morissette, who also composed the music with Glen Ballard. It was released as the album's third single on March 18, 1999. It was one of the few Junkie tracks on which she played her harmonica. Morissette directed the music video for the song. Without a chorus or hook, "Unsent" has an unconventional song structure. The lyrics consist of letters addressed to Morissette's former boyfriends and friends. The single became a moderate hit, reaching number nine in Canada, number 28 in New Zealand, and number 58 in the United States.
"So Pure" is a song written and produced by Alanis Morissette and Glen Ballard for Morissette's fourth album, Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie (1998). It was released in Japan as the album's second single on March 10, 1999, and as the third single worldwide in June 1999. One line in the song, "supposed former infatuation junkie", inspired its album's title. A special "radio friendly remix" was featured on US promotional singles and was only commercially released on the Australian domestic single.
"Crazy" is a song written by English singer-songwriter Seal and English songwriter Guy Sigsworth. It was produced by Trevor Horn and released by ZTT Records in November 1990 on Seal's debut album, Seal (1991). The song became his first commercial hit, reaching No. 2 in the United Kingdom, while becoming his first top ten single in the United States. It has since been covered by several artists, including Alanis Morissette, whose version was released as a single from her 2005 compilation album, The Collection.
"That I Would Be Good" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette that was first included on her fourth studio album, Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie (1998). An acoustic live version of the song was recorded during a session for MTV Unplugged on September 18, 1999. The live version was released as a single in Europe in 1999 and in Canada on February 8, 2000.
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.
"Everything" is a song written and recorded by Canadian singer Alanis Morissette. It was released on March 22, 2004, as the first single from her sixth studio album, So-Called Chaos (2004), on which it appears as the closing track. The song reached number three on the Canadian Singles Chart and number six in Italy and Spain. Although it reached only number 76 on the US Billboard Hot 100, it peaked atop the Triple-A chart and climbed to number four on the Adult Top 40. "Everything" also reached the top 20 in Australia, Austria, Norway, and Scotland.
"Guardian" is a song by Canadian-American recording artist Alanis Morissette, released as the lead single from her eighth studio album, Havoc and Bright Lights (2012). The song was written by Morissette and Guy Sigsworth, and produced by Sigsworth and Joe Chiccarelli. It is a rock song, in which Morissette promises to look after a special someone.
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