You Learn

"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, who also produced the entire album. Maverick and Warner Bros. Records released the song as the album's fifth single. Musically, the song speaks of the importance of poor decision-making in life by explaining that these decisions can teach valuable lessons. The album title is taken from the line "Swallow it down (what a jagged little pill)".

For the song by Takida, see You Learn (Takida song).

"You Learn"
U.S. and Canadian cover art
Single by Alanis Morissette
from the album Jagged Little Pill
ReleasedJuly 9, 1996
RecordedJune 1994–April 1995[1][2]
Length4:00
LabelMaverick
Songwriter(s)Alanis Morissette, Glen Ballard
Producer(s)Glen Ballard
Alanis Morissette singles chronology
"Ironic"
(1996)		 "You Learn"
(1996)		 "Head over Feet"
(1996)
Music video
"You Learn" on YouTube

The song received generally positive reviews from most music critics, many highlighting the song as an album standout. It was a commercial success globally, topping the Canadian RPM Top Singles chart and entering the top 40 in Australia, Iceland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In Canada, it was the most successful single of 1996 according to RPM. A music video was shot for the single, showing Morissette walking through the streets.

Background

During the time of making the album and "You Learn", Morissette later revealed that during her stay in Los Angeles, she was robbed on a deserted street by a man with a gun. After the robbery, Morissette developed an intense and general angst and suffered daily panic attacks. She was hospitalized and attended psychotherapy sessions, but it didn't improve her emotional status. As Morissette later revealed in interviews, she focused all her inner problems on the soul-baring lyrics of the album for her own health. According to Morissette, Ballard was the first collaborator who encouraged her to express her emotions.[3]

After the release of the parent album Jagged Little Pill, the album did not instantly become a success and was limited. To promote it, "You Learn" was chosen as the fourth single on the studio album. Because the CD single includes a live version of "You Oughta Know" from the 1996 Grammy Awards as an A-side, Billboard credited the chart position to "You Learn"/"You Oughta Know". An acoustic version of the song from Morissette's live album Alanis Unplugged (1999) was released as a single in some countries in 2000. Another acoustic version was recorded for the album Jagged Little Pill Acoustic (2005). The title of the parent album, "Jagged Little Pill", comes from a line in the first verse: "Swallow it down, like a jagged little pill."

Reception

Critical reception

"You Learn" received positive reviews from music critics, with many finding the lyrics of the song to be positive. Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic highlighted "You Learn" as an album standout, but rated the song separately two-and-a-half out of five stars.[4] John Murphy from MusicOMH commented: "'You Oughta Know' and 'You Learn' have a lightness of touch that nicely balance the darkness of the subject matter.'"[5] A reviewer from the publication PopStasche gave the song a very favorable remark, stating "After "Right Through You" and "Forgiven" display the vocal talent at hand, we're graced with the wonder of "You Learn." It provides a break from the fiery frustration yet still proves to have soul through its repetition and humility. There it goes again with its iconic beauty and all."[6]

A reviewer from the CultureFusion publication also highlighted the song, saying "It highlights the album fairly well, creating a mood of "pissed but positive." I guess it could be more "devil may care" but that's not the point. It's another great track and was well worth the single status. Glad it's still popular!"[7]

Chart performance

"You Learn" was a huge success worldwide. The song was her third consecutive number one single in Canada off the album and peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100, charting high from strong airplay off the back of "Ironic". It managed to peak at number one on the U.S. Pop Songs chart and number seven on the U.S. Modern Rock Tracks chart.

The song had debuted at number twenty-four on the UK Singles Chart, but had descended the charts finishing at number seventy-three then falling out. The song debuted at number thirty-two on the Australian Singles Chart. The song later peaked at number twenty after five weeks there, and stayed in the charts for twelve weeks in total. The song debuted at number thirteen on the New Zealand Singles Chart.

Music video

There were two music videos produced for the single. The original music video, directed by Liz Friedlander, starts with Morissette, hair in dreadlocks, handstanding in her apartment. She puts on a white sports jacket, leaves the apartment by the fire escape, and carelessly crosses the street, causing a multi-car accident and an ensuing riot. Morissette ignores the riot, walking on top of the cars that get in her way. After passing by a fire truck, Morissette arrives at an indoor basketball arena on a horse where she, now in a red jacket, successfully throws a ball passed to her into the basket. Morissette then exits the arena to the street and performs backflips through it. By the time she finishes, she's wearing a grey jacket. She randomly kisses a man on the same street and runs to an unfinished bridge, now wearing a green jacket. She jumps from the ledge, lands wearing a blue jacket, and soon engages in a pie fight with a group of people, including her touring drummer Taylor Hawkins. Finally, Morissette emerges in a boxing ring wearing a black jacket and boxing gloves and faces off with a woman in complete boxing gear. The woman punches her in the face, knocking Morissette to the mat. Morissette staggers to her feet and wobbly exits the ring and walks out of the gym as the video ends.

The video was shot on February 11, 1996, in New York City's Meatpacking District. Filming took 23 hours in 10° weather. It features the Twin Towers in a scene where Morissette did tumbling. Morissette also is never seen singing throughout the duration of the clip.

The second music video was the music video featuring Morissette with her band live on a live performance. Some included her performing from the MTV Unplugged video. The live version was used instead of the album version.

Live performances and other versions

"You Learn" was performed at her worldwide tour Jagged Little Pill Tour. It was performed at her Junkie Tour and the Australian leg as well. It was performed at her Under Rug Swept tour and her Flavors of Entanglement Tour. Another acoustic version was featured for the single on her 2005 Jagged Little Pill Acoustic album. An instrumental version also leaked online.[8]

Because the CD single includes a live version of "You Oughta Know" from the 1996 Grammy Awards as an A-side, Billboard credited the chart position to "You Learn"/"You Oughta Know". An acoustic version of the song from Morissette's live album Alanis Unplugged (1999) was released as a single in some countries in 2000. Another acoustic version was recorded for the album Jagged Little Pill Acoustic (2005).

Covers

The Bacon Brothers covered "You Learn" on their 2014 release, 36 Cents.

In 2015 was featured in an episode of American television series, Glee, called "Jagged Little Tapestry", covered by Naya Rivera, Mark Salling, Chris Colfer, Jenna Ushkowitz, Lea Michelle and Dianna Agron.

Track listings

U.S. CD single

  1. "You Learn" (album version) – 4:00
  2. "You Oughta Know" (live Grammy version) – 3:48

MTV Unplugged CD

  1. "You Learn"
  2. "Thank U (MTV Unplugged) [Previously Unreleased]" – 4:35

CD single

  1. "You Learn" (album version) – 4:00
  2. "Your House" (live in Tokyo) – 3:05
  3. "Wake Up" (Modern Rock live) – 5:07
  4. "Hand in My Pocket" – 3:38

Charts

References
  1. Fournier, Karen (January 16, 2015). The Words and Music of Alanis Morissette. ISBN 9781440830693.
  2. "Entertainment Weekly October 9, 2015".
  3. "Retro Reviews: Alanis Morissette sings about her 'Jagged Little Pill'".
  4. Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "Alanis Morissette". AllMusic.
  5. Murphy, John (November 14, 2005). "Alanis Morissette – The Collection: Album Reviews". MusicOMH. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  6. "Alanis Morissette - Jagged Little Pill - Old 'stache review". Pop 'stache. March 31, 2011.
  7. "Dispatches from Chaos: Sean M Hebner's Review of "Jagged Little Pill." - Culture Fusion Reviews". Culture Fusion Reviews. May 18, 2013.
  8. Video on YouTube
  9. "Australian-charts.com – Alanis Morissette – You Learn". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
  10. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 3020." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  11. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 9665." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  12. "Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Issue 3040." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  13. "Íslenski Listinn Nr. 163: Vikuna 30.3. – 5.4. '96". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). March 30, 1996. p. 52. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  14. "Charts.nz – Alanis Morissette – You Learn". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
  15. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
  16. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
  17. "Alanis Morissette Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  18. "Alanis Morissette Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  19. "Alanis Morissette Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  20. "Alanis Morissette Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  21. "Alanis Morissette Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  22. "Alanis Morissette Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  23. "Alanis Morissette Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  24. "Alanis Morissette Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  25. "RPM Year End Top 100 Tracks". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. December 16, 1996. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  26. "RPM Year End Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. December 16, 1996. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  27. "RPM Year End Alternative Top 50". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. December 16, 1996. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  28. "Árslistinn 1996". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). January 2, 1997. p. 16. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  29. "1996: The Year In Music". Billboard. Nielsen Company. 108 (52): 76. December 28, 1996. ISSN 0006-2510.
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