So Pure
Encyclopedia
"So Pure" is a rock
song written and produced by Alanis Morissette
and Glen Ballard
for Morissette's fourth album Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie
(1998). While it was released in Japan during the spring of 1999 as the second single, it was released internationally as the album's third single
on June 14, 1999 (see 1999 in music
), and it is uptempo and reminiscent in sound to the dance pop music Morissette recorded before her third album Jagged Little Pill
(1995). One line in the song, "supposed former infatuation junkie", inspired its album's title. The single was released to U.S. radio stations on June 29 and received little play, peaking outside the top twenty on Billboard magazine's Adult Top 40 and Top 40 Mainstream charts. "So Pure" failed to chart on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100
and performed moderately in the United Kingdom
, where it reached the top forty. A special 'radio friendly remix' was featured on US promotional singles and was only commercially released on the Australian domestic single.
, directed by Morissette, featured her and (then boyfriend) actor Dash Mihok
as dance
partners transitioning through time and style, from ballroom
to salsa
, swing
, tap
, freestyle
and rave
. It was filmed over two days in Toronto
. Morissette said of the video, "Over the last year, I'd become enamored with the dancing styles of the '40s in particular, and intrigued by the evolution of dancing throughout the last five decades and the spirit and different kinds of attitudes that fuel them. When it came time to create this video, there was no question that there would be dancing in it and that these different eras needed to be referenced!" The video world-premiered on AOL
on June 25 and was the first from a major artist to debut on the internet.
CD 2
U.S. Promo
Japan
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
song written and produced by Alanis Morissette
Alanis Morissette
Alanis Nadine Morissette is a Canadian-American singer-songwriter, guitarist, record producer, and actress. She has won 16 Juno Awards and seven Grammy Awards, was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards and also shortlisted for an Academy Award nomination...
and Glen Ballard
Glen Ballard
Glen Ballard is an American songwriter and record producer, best known for co-writing and producing Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill , which won Grammy Award for "Best Rock Album", and "Album of the Year" amongst others, and is ranked by the Rolling Stone amongst The 500 Greatest Albums of...
for Morissette's fourth album Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie
Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie
Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie is the fourth album and second internationally released album by singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette, released by Maverick Records in the United States on November 3, 1998...
(1998). While it was released in Japan during the spring of 1999 as the second single, it was released internationally as the album's third single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
on June 14, 1999 (see 1999 in music
1999 in music
-Events:*January 7**After eight years of marriage, Rod Stewart and supermodel wife Rachel Hunter announce their separation.**Paul McCartney attends the first of his stepdaughter Heather's first housewares collection in Georgia....
), and it is uptempo and reminiscent in sound to the dance pop music Morissette recorded before her third album Jagged Little Pill
Jagged Little Pill
Jagged Little Pill is the third studio album by Canadian recording artist and songwriter Alanis Morissette. It was Morissette's first internationally released album, and her first studio album after the three year hiatus following her break with MCA Records. The album marked a shift from her style...
(1995). One line in the song, "supposed former infatuation junkie", inspired its album's title. The single was released to U.S. radio stations on June 29 and received little play, peaking outside the top twenty on Billboard magazine's Adult Top 40 and Top 40 Mainstream charts. "So Pure" failed to chart on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
and performed moderately in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, where it reached the top forty. A special 'radio friendly remix' was featured on US promotional singles and was only commercially released on the Australian domestic single.
Music video
The single's videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
, directed by Morissette, featured her and (then boyfriend) actor Dash Mihok
Dash Mihok
Dashiell "Dash" Mihok is an American actor.-Life and career:Mihok was born in New York City, New York, the son of actors Andrea and Raymond Thorne . He attended the Bronx High School of Science and was raised in Greenwich Village. While at the Bronx High School of Science, Dash played baseball as...
as dance
Dance
Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
partners transitioning through time and style, from ballroom
Ballroom dance
Ballroom dance refers to a set of partner dances, which are enjoyed both socially and competitively around the world. Because of its performance and entertainment aspects, ballroom dance is also widely enjoyed on stage, film, and television....
to salsa
Salsa (dance)
Salsa is a syncretic dance form with origins in Cuba as the meeting point of Spanish and African cultures.Salsa is normally a partner dance, although there are recognized solo forms such as solo dancing "suelta" and "Rueda de Casino" where multiple couples exchange partners in a circle...
, swing
Swing (dance)
"Swing dance" is a group of dances that developed with the swing style of jazz music in the 1920s-1950s, although the earliest of these dances predate swing jazz music. The best known of these dances is the Lindy Hop, a popular partner dance that originated in Harlem and is still danced today...
, tap
Tap dance
Tap dance is a form of dance characterized by using the sound of one's tap shoes hitting the floor as a percussive instrument. As such, it is also commonly considered to be a form of music. Two major variations on tap dance exist: rhythm tap and Broadway tap. Broadway tap focuses more on the...
, freestyle
Freestyle music
Freestyle or Latin freestyle, sometimes referred to as Latin hip hop, is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in the early 1980s. Mostly popular during the mid 80s to the early 90s...
and rave
Rave
Rave, rave dance, and rave party are parties that originated mostly from acid house parties, which featured fast-paced electronic music and light shows. At these parties people dance and socialize to dance music played by disc jockeys and occasionally live performers...
. It was filmed over two days in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. Morissette said of the video, "Over the last year, I'd become enamored with the dancing styles of the '40s in particular, and intrigued by the evolution of dancing throughout the last five decades and the spirit and different kinds of attitudes that fuel them. When it came time to create this video, there was no question that there would be dancing in it and that these different eras needed to be referenced!" The video world-premiered on AOL
AOL
AOL Inc. is an American global Internet services and media company. AOL is headquartered at 770 Broadway in New York. Founded in 1983 as Control Video Corporation, it has franchised its services to companies in several nations around the world or set up international versions of its services...
on June 25 and was the first from a major artist to debut on the internet.
Charts
| Chart (1999) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
38 |
| U.S. Billboard Adult Top 40 | 25 |
| U.S. Billboard Top 40 Mainstream | 38 |
Track listing
CD 1- "So Pure" (album version) – 2:49
- "I Was Hoping" (acoustic modern rock live) – 4:34
- "So Pure" (Pure Ecstacy extended mix) – 6:04
CD 2
- "So Pure" (album version) – 2:49
- "Would not come" (live)
- "So Pure" (acoustic modern rock live) – 2:42
U.S. Promo
- Radio Friendly Remix
- Pure Ecstasy Mix
- Album Version
Japan
- "So Pure" (album version) – 2:49
- "Your House" (BBC/Radio One live)
- "London" (Bridge School Benefit live)