Do you ever reflect back on moments from your childhood that give you an understanding of who you will become?
My first CD was “Jagged Little Pill.” I was nine years old. I had no idea who Alanis Morrissette was – and honestly I don’t know how my parents even picked this album. But I am forever grateful for their mistake!
I rocked out to this CD over and over again…so much that once my parents actually listened to it, they thought it was corrupting and threatened to take it away. I begged them to let me keep it, promising I wouldn’t repeat the curse words — turning down the volume when she yells fuck in You Oughta Know.
I didn’t understand what the lyrics meant at the time, but the album made a profound impact on me. Her music hits a frequency in my ear that resonates with my soul. It energizes me, it calms me, it gives me confidence.
Years later, I continue to listen to this album. Alanis’s zero fucks approach to authentically sharing the range of emotions women feel was / is brave and groundbreaking. While I haven’t realized it until now, she gave me the green light to do the same.
