Morissette assumed creative control and producing duties for her subsequent studio albums, including Under Rug Swept (2002), So-Called Chaos (2004), Flavors of Entanglement (2008), and Havoc and Bright Lights (2012). Her ninth album, Such Pretty Forks in the Road, was released in 2020. Morissette has sold more than 75 million records worldwide and has been dubbed the "Queen of Alt-Rock Angst" by Rolling Stone.
Read the full article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alanis_Morissette
Studio albums
Alanis (1991)
Now Is the Time (1992)
Jagged Little Pill (1995)
Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie (1998)
Under Rug Swept (2002)
So-Called Chaos (2004)
Flavors of Entanglement (2008)
Havoc and Bright Lights (2012)
Such Pretty Forks in the Road (2020)
Joining You
Alanis Morissette Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your mom, my friend
Left a message on my machine
She was frantic
Saying you were talking crazy
That you wanted to do away with yourself
Guess she thought I would be the perfect resort
And yes, they're in shock
They are panicked
You and your chronic
Them and their drama
You this embarrassment
Us in the middle of this delusion
If we were our bodies
If we were our futures
If we were our defenses
I'd be joining you
If we were our culture
If we were our leaders
If we were our denials
Id be joining you
I remember vividly a day years ago
We were camping
You knew more than you thought you should know
You said I don't want ever to be brainwashed
And you were mind boggling, you were intense
You were uncomfortable in your own skin
You were thirsty
But mostly you were beautiful
If we were our name tags
If we were our rejections
If we were our outcomes
I'd be joining you
If we were our indignities
If we were our successes
If we were our emotions
I'd be joining you
You and I, were like four year olds
We want to know why, and how come about everything
We want to reveal ourselves at will, and speak our minds
And never talk small talk and be intuitive
And question mightily, and find God my tortured beacon
We need to find like-minded companions
If we were their condemnations
If we were their projections
If we were our paranoias, I'd be joining you
If we were our incomes
If we were our obsessions
If we were our afflictions, Id be joining you
We need a reflection
We need a really good memory
Feel free to call me a little more often
In "Joining You," Alanis Morissette sings about a friend who is struggling with suicidal thoughts. The friend's mother contacts Alanis, hoping that she can help her daughter. Alanis reflects on their relationship and the connection they share, stating that if they were just their physical bodies, their futures, or their defenses, she would join her friend in her despair. She also notes that if they were defined by their culture or leaders, she would still join her. Later in the song, she remembers a conversation they had where her friend expressed a desire to not be brainwashed and to always speak her mind. Alanis relates to her friend's desire for authenticity and connection, and recognizes that they need to find companions who are likeminded.
The song is a reflection on the complexities of mental health and the importance of true connections. Alanis recognizes that her friend is struggling and that simply being there for her is not necessarily enough. As much as she would like to join her friend in her struggles, she ultimately knows that it is not the answer.
Overall, "Joining You" is a poignant examination of the difficulties of mental health and the importance of authentic connections. Alanis speaks to the need for companions who share our values and desires, and acknowledges the challenges that come with supporting someone who is struggling.
Line by Line Meaning
Dear darling
Addressing the person this song is about with affection
Your mom, my friend
Referring to the mother of the person this song is about as a friend of the singer's
Left a message on my machine
Contacted the singer through leaving a message on their answering machine
She was frantic
She was very worried and upset
Saying you were talking crazy
Informing the singer that the person this song is about was speaking in a way that suggested they were not well mentally
That you wanted to do away with yourself
That the person this song is about expressed suicidal thoughts
Guess she thought I would be the perfect resort
Assuming the singer could help resolve the situation
Because we've had this inexplicable connection since our youth
Because the singer and the person this song is about have had a strong, unexplainable bond since they were young
And yes, they're in shock
Confirming the family or loved ones of the person this song is about are deeply surprised and dismayed
They are panicked
They are filled with worry and distress
You and your chronic
Referring to a chronic illness or condition the person this song is about is dealing with
Them and their drama
Referring to the drama and upset that the family or loved ones of the person this song is about are going through
You this embarrassment
Acknowledging that the person this song is about may feel ashamed or embarrassed because of their situation or actions
Us in the middle of this delusion
The singer is also caught up in the difficult and overwhelming situation
If we were our bodies
Hypothetically speaking, if we were only our physical bodies
If we were our futures
Hypothetically speaking, if we were only our future prospects
If we were our defenses
Hypothetically speaking, if we were only the walls we put up to protect ourselves from emotional pain
I'd be joining you
The singer would be joining the person this song is about in feeling overwhelmed and perhaps even suicidal
If we were our culture
Hypothetically speaking, if we were only the cultural norms and values we identify with
If we were our leaders
Hypothetically speaking, if we were only our political or social leaders
If we were our denials
Hypothetically speaking, if we were only the things we refuse to acknowledge or face
Id be joining you
The singer would be joining the person this song is about in feeling disillusioned and struggling to cope
I remember vividly a day years ago
Recalling a specific memory from the past
We were camping
The singer and the person this song is about were camping together
You knew more than you thought you should know
The person this song is about knew a lot more than they felt was appropriate for their age or level of experience
You said I don't want ever to be brainwashed
The person this song is about expressed a desire to resist being manipulated or controlled
And you were mind boggling, you were intense
The person this song is about was extremely thought-provoking and intense in their expressions
You were uncomfortable in your own skin
The person this song is about felt uneasy about themselves and their place in the world
You were thirsty
The person this song is about was eager to learn more and find meaning in life
But mostly you were beautiful
Despite any difficulties or struggles, the singer found the person this song is about to be beautiful and admirable
If we were our name tags
Hypothetically speaking, if we were only the labels or identities we adopt for ourselves
If we were our rejections
Hypothetically speaking, if we were only the times we've been rejected or excluded
If we were our outcomes
Hypothetically speaking, if we were only the end results of our actions and decisions
I'd be joining you
The singer would be joining the person this song is about in feeling discouraged and defeated by life
If we were our indignities
Hypothetically speaking, if we were only the injustices or indignities we've experienced in life
If we were our successes
Hypothetically speaking, if we were only the achievements or successes we've had in life
If we were our emotions
Hypothetically speaking, if we were only the feelings and emotions we experience
I'd be joining you
The singer would be joining the person this song is about in feeling overwhelmed and struggling to cope
You and I, were like four year olds
The singer and the person this song is about approach life with a curious and open-minded attitude, seeking answers and understanding as if they were children
We want to know why, and how come about everything
They both have an insatiable curiosity about the world
We want to reveal ourselves at will, and speak our minds
They both desire to be transparent and honest in their interactions with others
And never talk small talk and be intuitive
They both avoid empty or superficial conversations and tend to rely on their intuition when making decisions
And question mightily, and find God my tortured beacon
They both question and challenge authority and tradition, but also seek to find meaning and guidance in their spiritual beliefs
We need to find like-minded companions
They both want to connect with others who share their values and perspectives
If we were their condemnations
Hypothetically speaking, if we were only the negative judgments or criticisms made against us
If we were their projections
Hypothetically speaking, if we were only the assumptions or expectations others place on us
If we were our paranoias, I'd be joining you
Hypothetically speaking, if we were only the fears and anxieties that consume us, the singer would be joining the person this song is about in struggling with them
If we were our incomes
Hypothetically speaking, if we were only the money we earn or our financial status
If we were our obsessions
Hypothetically speaking, if we were only the things we obsess over or become fixated on
If we were our afflictions, Id be joining you
Hypothetically speaking, if we were only the illnesses or conditions we suffer from, the singer would be joining the person this song is about in coping with them
We need a reflection
They both want to have someone who can provide them with a truthful and honest reflection of themselves and their actions
We need a really good memory
They both value their shared experiences and want to remember them accurately and fondly
Feel free to call me a little more often
The singer is extending an offer of support and help to the person this song is about
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Glen Ballard, Alanis Nadine Morissette
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind