Jagged Little Pill turns 25

On June 13, 1995, Alanis Morissette unleashed her third studio album Jagged Little Pill at just 21 years old. The album went on to sell 16 million copies. Learn more about the iconic album below.

1. It was her first album to be released worldwide. Her two previous albums Alanis and Now is the Time were only released in Canada.

2. “You Oughta Know” acted as the lead single. Morsissette has never publicly revealed the ex-boyfriend portrayed in the song, but rumors still swirled. Actor/comedian Dave Coulier once admitted, and then denied, being the focus of the song. Matt Leblanc, New Jersey Devils player Mike Peluso and musician Leslie Howe were all rumored to be the mystery man.

3. “Hand in My Pocket” served as the theme song for the unaired pilot episode of Dawson’s Creek. By the time the show was picked up, Morissette decided she didn’t want the song to be used.

4. Because of its lyrics, there’s been debate whether the song “Ironic” is actually ironic. Following 9/11, the American mass media company Clear Channel Communications deemed the song too inappropriate for airplay.

5. The album’s title comes from a lyric in “You Learn” – “Swallow it down (what a jagged little pill)”. The song is written about the importance of learning from your mistakes.

6. In November 2013, it was announced that a stage adaptation of the album was in the works. The musical debuted in 2018 at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

7. Foo Fighters’ Taylor Hawkins was Morissette’s drummer on the Jagged Little Pill tour. He says he’d be delivering pizza if it weren’t for the opportunity.

8. The album received many awards and accolades, including seven Juno awards and four Grammys. Rolling Stone ranked it number 31 on its Women In Rock – The 50 Essential Albums list and 327 on its list of “The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time”. It is also included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

Congrats on 25 years, Alanis!