June 13, 1995: Alanis’ ‘Jagged Little Pill’ Released

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When Alanis Morissette released Jagged Little Pill on June 13, 1995, she was all of 21 and had no idea what kind of impact her album would have on an entire generation. And the raw stats and accolades are staggering: a #1 album for 15 weeks, with 17 million sold in the U.S. and 33 million copies sold worldwide (though that number is likely higher now), several hit singles and nine Grammy nominations for which she won five including Album of the Year. But not Best New Artist. Go figure; that went to Hootie & the Blowfish.

Jagged Little Pill is one of the Top 20 best-selling albums of all-time. Figures on Wikipedia list it at #13, behind favorites from AC/DC, Pink Floyd, Eagles and Led Zeppelin, among others.

Among its iconic songs are “You Oughta Know,” “Hand in My Pocket,” and “Ironic.” Morissette wrote all of the lyrics. She wrote most of the music with Glen Ballard, the album’s producer.

Jagged… is far older than the performer – and former Canadian children’s TV star – was when she recorded it. In 2015, Rhino released a four-disc collector’s edition for its 20th anniversary that included a remastered edition of the LP, a previously unreleased full live concert from London recorded that fall, an acoustic version of the full LP from 2005 and a previously unreleased disc of demos recorded between 1994-98.

The album is available here. Morissette released a new album, Such Pretty Forks in the Road, in 2020. She is touring in 2024 with Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. Tickets are available here and here.