You Learn


"You Learn" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette from her third studio album, Jagged Little Pill. 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 ".
The song received generally positive reviews from most music critics, many highlighting the song as an album standout. The song was a commercial success globally, only charting in North America and the Oceanic regions. 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.
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 was released as a single in some countries in 2000. Another acoustic version was recorded for the album Jagged Little Pill Acoustic. 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. 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.'" 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."
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!"

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 jacket and leaves the apartment by the fire escape and carelessly crosses the street, causing a huge 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 where she does backflips through it. By the time she finishes, she's wearing a grey jacket. She randomly kisses a man on the same street and then runs to an unfinished bridge, now wearing a green jacket. She jumps from the ledge and lands wearing a blue jacket and soon engages in a pie fight with a group of people, including her touring drummer Taylor Hawkins. Suddenly, 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's meat packing district. Filming took 23 hours in 10° weather. It features the Original World Trade Center's 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.
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 was released as a single in some countries in 2000. Another acoustic version was recorded for the album Jagged Little Pill Acoustic.

Covers

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" - 4:00
  2. "You Oughta Know" - 3:48
MTV Unplugged CD
  1. "You Learn"
  2. "Thank U " - 4:35
CD single
  1. "You Learn" - 4:00
  2. "Your House" - 3:05
  3. "Wake Up" - 5:07
  4. "Hand in My Pocket" - 3:38

    Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts