Biography
Alanis Morissette was born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and began her musical journey early, learning piano at age four or six, guitar later, and writing her first songs by age eight or nine. She acted in the children's TV show You Can't Do That on Television in 1986, using earnings to release her debut single 'Fate Stay with Me.' At age 10, she formed a band named after herself, and by 14, she signed a publishing deal leading to two dance-pop albums on MCA Records: Alanis (1991), which went platinum in Canada, and Now Is the Time (1992).[1][2][3][5]
After high school graduation around 1993, Morissette moved from Ottawa to Toronto, then Los Angeles, seeking new collaborators. There, she partnered with producer Glen Ballard, shifting from dance-pop to alternative rock with confessional, emotionally raw lyrics delivered in her signature mezzo-soprano voice. Their collaboration yielded Jagged Little Pill (1995) on Maverick Records, which sold over 30 million copies worldwide, becoming one of the best-selling albums ever, with hits like 'You Oughta Know' and 'Ironic.' The album earned her five Grammy Awards in 1996, including Album of the Year.[1][4][5][6]
Subsequent albums like Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie (1998), Under Rug Swept (2002), and So-Called Chaos (2004) saw her take on producing duties, evolving her style while maintaining introspective themes. Morissette has also acted in TV shows, theater like The Vagina Monologues, and composed for the Jagged Little Pill musical in 2018. Her legacy includes pioneering female-driven alternative rock and influencing confessional songwriting.[1][2][6]
Fun Facts
- A demo tape she sent to Geffen Records in 1989 was stolen in a burglary at the label's headquarters and has never been recovered.[1]
- She appeared on Star Search using the stage name Alanis Nadine but lost after one round.[2]
- Jagged Little Pill is the highest-selling debut album by a female artist in the U.S. and was released on Madonna's Maverick Records.[1][6]
- She began acting at age 10 on You Can't Do That on Television, funding her first single release.[2][5]
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Glen Ballard - Key producer and songwriter who encouraged her shift to alternative rock and confessional style (Jagged Little Pill (1995)) [1994-1995]
- Leslie Howe - Producer for early dance-pop work (Alanis (1991)) [1990-1991]
Key Collaborators
- Glen Ballard - Co-writer and producer (Jagged Little Pill (1995)) [1994-1995]
- Lindsay Thomas Morgan - Producer for first demo (Fate Stay with Me (1986)) [1986]
- Rich Dodson - Engineer for first demo (Fate Stay with Me (1986)) [1986]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Manic | 2020-01-17 | Album |
| Jagged Little Pill (2015 Remaster) | 1995 | Album |
| Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie | 1998-10-16 | Album |
| Live / Unplugged | 1999-11-12 | Album |
| Jagged Little Pill | 1995-06-09 | Album |
| Under Rug Swept | 2002-02-25 | Album |
| Jagged Little Pill (Acoustic) | 2005-05-24 | Album |
| Such Pretty Forks in the Road | 2020-07-31 | Album |
| Jagged Little Pill (Collector's Edition) | 2015-10-30 | Album |
| So-Called Chaos | 2004-05-17 | Album |
| Jagged Little Pill (25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) | 2020-06-26 | Album |
| Feast On Scraps | 2003-12-01 | Album |
| Such Pretty Forks In The Road | 2020-07-31 | Album |
| Flavors of Entanglement (Deluxe) | 2008-05-20 | Album |
| Live At Montreux 2012 (Live At The Montreux Jazz Festival, Montreux,Switzerland / 2012) | 2013-01-01 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Ironic - 2015 Remaster (Jagged Little Pill (2015 Remaster))
- Hand in My Pocket - 2015 Remaster (Jagged Little Pill (2015 Remaster))
- Thank U (Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie)
- You Oughta Know - 2015 Remaster (Jagged Little Pill (2015 Remaster))
- Head over Feet - 2015 Remaster (Jagged Little Pill (2015 Remaster))
- You Learn - 2015 Remaster (Jagged Little Pill (2015 Remaster))
- Ironic
- Uninvited
- Hands Clean (Under Rug Swept)
- Crazy - James Michael Mix
External Links
Tags: #1990s, #adult-alternative, #alternative-rock
References
Heard on WWOZ
Alanis Morissette has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 21, 2025 | 23:18 | Ave Mariafrom Ave Maria | What's Neww/ Duane Williams |