ARTIST/SONG: Alanis Morissette, “Hands Clean” (2009)
I personally LOVE this song, which really shows the “stream of consciousness” of a person who is being groomed by a narcissist/abuser. I love the progression (as illustrated by the official video, below), of Alanis from beginning (young girl) to end of relationship as a mature woman. The male in the relationship is remarkably older than the singer.
HISTORY:
“Hands Clean” is a song by Canadian-American singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette, was released in 2002 as the lead single from her fifth studio album, “Under Rug Swept.” The song was written by Morissette herself and produced by her longtime collaborator, John Shanks.
The lyrics of “Hands Clean” are widely interpreted as Morissette addressing a past relationship with an older man, which began when she was underage. The song’s title refers to the idea that she kept her hands clean despite the complexities and difficulties of the relationship.
Morissette’s introspective and confessional songwriting style, coupled with her emotive vocal delivery, resonated strongly with audiences. “Hands Clean” received critical acclaim and became a commercial success, reaching the top ten in several countries including the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
The song’s themes of power dynamics, vulnerability, and personal growth struck a chord with listeners and added to Morissette’s reputation as a bold and honest songwriter. Despite the controversy surrounding its subject matter, “Hands Clean” remains one of Morissette’s most beloved and enduring songs.
LYRICS (Courtesy of LyricFind.com):
“Hands Clean”
If it weren’t for your maturity, none of this would have happened
If you weren’t so wise beyond your years
I would’ve been able to control myself
If it weren’t for my attention, you wouldn’t have been successful and if
If it weren’t for me you would never have amounted to very much
Ooh, this could be messy but
But you don’t seem to mind and
Ooh, don’t go telling everybody
And overlook this supposed crime
We’ll fast forward to a few years later
And no one knows except the both of us
And I have honored your request for silence
And you’ve washed your hands clean of this
You’re essentially my employee and I like you having to depend on me
You’re kind of my protege and one day
You’ll say you learned all you know from me
I know you depend on me like a young thing would to a guardian
I know you sexualize me like a young thing would and I think I like it
Ooh, this could get messy but
Ooh, you don’t seem to mind
Dude, don’t go telling everybody
And overlook this supposed crime
We’ll fast forward to a few years later
And no one knows except the both of us
I’ve more than honored your request for silence
And you’ve washed your hands clean of this
What part of our history’s reinvented and under rug swept?
What part of your memory is selective and tends to forget?
What with this distance it seems so obvious
Just make sure you don’t tell on me, especially to members of your family
We best keep this to ourselves and not tell any members of our inner posse
I wish I could tell the world
‘Cause you’re such a pretty thing when you’re done up properly
I might want to marry you one day if you watch that weight and keep your firm body
Ooh, this could be messy and
Ooh, I don’t seem to mind
Ooh, don’t go telling everybody
And overlook this supposed crime
We’ll fast forward to a few years later
And no one knows except the both of us
And I have honored your request for silence
And you’ve washed your hands clean of this
Ooh, this could get messy but
Ooh, I don’t seem to mind
Ooh, don’t go telling everybody
And overlook this supposed crime
We’ll fast forward to a few years later
And no one knows except the both of us
And I have honored your request for silence
And you’ve washed your hands clean of this
Full video here:
