Songs about grief and breakups , likeAlanis Morissette ’s 1995 unforgettable " You Oughta Know , " have been a universal and imperishable musical theme in New music . Despite the abundance of particular tracks on this topic , none have left an indelible mark quite like " You Oughta Know . "

While the medicine — render byRed Hot Chili Peppers ' guitarist Dave Navarro andbassist Flea — lent a solid , characteristically gritty Chili Peppers vibe to Morissette ’s earthy vocal music , it was the lyric that truly resonate with the public and metamorphose the song into a cultural phenomenon . Although it was n’t Morissette ’s first striking , the racecourse strive the top spot on Billboard ’s Alternative Songs chart and pull in three Grammy nomination , cementing its piazza as the Song dynasty that catapult her to global stardom .

What “You Oughta Know” Is About

Alanis Moirssette Plays The Role Of Jilted Lover

" You Oughta Know " is Morissette ’s musical teardown of a former lover who did her wrong . Unlike traditional breakup caterpillar tread that often meditate the vocalizer ’s desire to possibly return to the kinship one mean solar day , the singer ’s regret and musing of what they could have done differently , or acceptance of the position , Morissette ’s song emphasizes the drear side of breakups . It capture the raw , " hot take " perspective of the mate who was dumped when they think the relationship should have continue .

" Did you draw a blank about me , Mr. Duplicity ?

I hate to bug you in the midriff of dinner .

Spencer Grammer and Davis IL of Belle and Chain

It was a smack in the cheek ,

How quickly I was replaced . "

" You Oughta Know " powerfully conveys the tender pain and heartbreak Alanis Morissette experienced after being stray aside . The Sung delves into her intense ira , consuming touch sensation of treason , and the dreary , revengeful thoughts that uprise from being mistreated despite her best effort . In burden , Morissette articulates what many people sense upon discover a collaborator ’s unfaithfulness : a nonrational , uncontrollable surge of rage and a desire for retribution . Indeed , " You Oughta Know " dead captures this excited hullabaloo , a touch to which anyone who has digest a likewise devastating breakup can deep colligate .

Brandi Carlile playing the guitar

Who “You Oughta Know” Is About - Every Theory

Two Actors Are The Most Likely Culprits

turn over the emotion and warmth with which Morissette sing " You Oughta Know , " it was clean she was drawing from personal experience . Naturally , as a well - known musician in the bloom of her youth , rooter speculated about who could have wronged her so deeply that it prompt such a blistering tell - all vocal . At the time of the song ’s dismission , Morissette had been in a amorous relationship with actor Dave Coulier , making him the person most commonly associated with the song ’s field of study . Coulier is best have a go at it for his role as Joey Gladstone ( Uncle Joey ) onFull House , as well as his articulation employment in numerous animated series , fromCBS’sMuppet Babiesto Adult Swim’sRobot Chicken .

Years afterwards , in an interview withPeoplemagazine , Coulier was require who he believe Morissette was advert to in the vocal . He allow that when he first heard it , he could n’t help but cerebrate of his past human relationship with her and felt the birdsong was probable about him . As he put it , he “ accredit ” several references in the lyrics that seemed to aline with their history . However , he went on to say that , despite his initial reaction , he hoped it was n’t about him — after all , the person described in the song was , in his words , “ a tangible a - hole . ”

But Coulier was n’t the only person Morissette is meditate to be raging against in the song . away from Coulier , there are more than a few sports fan theories regarding who the “ heel ” is that fail her heart . One of the more intriguing theories points toFriends ’ regular Matt LeBlanc . This theory is based on the fact that LeBlanc appeared in Morissette ’s music video for her 1991 individual “ Walk Away . ” The room the two interacted in the video , the theory go , suggested a chemistry that went beyond just the playacting they were doing on screen . However , after that collaboration , there were no further connections between the two .

In the front left one member wears a black coat and has medium hair with bangs to his eyebrows, behind him is another member with a black coat, and bands to his eyebrows, in the middle one member wears a coat with a high button up shirt, his hair is medium lengthed as well,, In the front right a member wears a dark coat and a high button up shirt, with dark medium lengthed hair, behind him, is a another member with a leather coat, a button up, and medium lengthed hair.

What Alanis Morrissette Has Said About The Subject Of “You Oughta Know”

The Songstress Has Kept The Truth Close To Her Chest

Despite the intense emotion Morissette convey in the song , one might gestate her to have no hesitation in " outing " the someone who wronged her so deep . However , Morissette has remained unwavering in keeping his personal identity private . Interestingly , while she has never confirmed who the someone is , she also has n’t deny rumors suggesting it could be Coulier , LeBlanc , or others mentioned in fan theories . In a 2019 appearance on Andy Cohen’sWatch What fall out Live , Morissette remark that she find it intriguing that some citizenry have choose credit for being " the person , " as doing so would essentially mean admitting to being a rather unpleasant guy .

disregardless of her reasons for keeping the Sung ’s subject private , it was a shrewd move by Morissette . By not identifying a specific person , she allows listeners to project their own experiences of brokenheartedness onto the strain . This catholicity is a central reason whyMorissette’s"You Oughta Know " proceed to resonate with audience who have felt similar pain in their own relationships .

Alanis Moirssette, You Oughta Know

Custom image by Sarah Bea Milner

Head shot of Alanis Morissette from her Hand in my pocket video

Alanis Morissette action pose from her Ironic video

Headshot Of Alanis Morissette