That I Would Be Good
Encyclopedia
"That I Would Be Good" is a song by Alanis Morissette
that was first featured on her 1998 album Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie
. An acoustic
live version of the song was recorded during a session for MTV Unplugged
on September 18, 1999. It was released as a single
for the album Alanis Unplugged
on February 8, 2000.
The lyrics relate Morissette's intimate feelings about being judged, insecurity
and self-doubt, expressing in theme and variation
the desire to be sufficient in the face of changing external circumstances.
According to Morissette on VH1 Storytellers
, the song was written during a time when there were many people in her house and she retreated to her closet to write the lyrics. She also confirmed that she wrote the lyrics and then the music at different times.
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...
that was first featured on her 1998 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...
. An acoustic
Acoustic music
Acoustic music comprises music that solely or primarily uses instruments which produce sound through entirely acoustic means, as opposed to electric or electronic means...
live version of the song was recorded during a session for MTV Unplugged
MTV Unplugged
MTV Unplugged is a TV series showcasing many popular musical artists usually playing acoustic instruments. The show has received the George Foster Peabody Award and 3 Primetime Emmy nominations among many accolades.-Unplugged:...
on September 18, 1999. It was released as a 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...
for the album Alanis Unplugged
Alanis Unplugged
- Personnel :* Alanis Morissette - vocals, guitar, harmonica and flute* Nick Lashley - guitar* Joel Shearer - guitar* Deron Johnson - keyboards, background vocals in "King of Pain"* Chris Chaney - bass* Gary Novak - drums and percussion* Brad Dutz - percussion...
on February 8, 2000.
The lyrics relate Morissette's intimate feelings about being judged, insecurity
Insecurity
Insecurity is a feeling of general unease or nervousness that may be triggered by perceiving of oneself to be vulnerable in some way, or a sense of vulnerability or instability which threatens one's self-image or ego....
and self-doubt, expressing in theme and variation
Variation (music)
In music, variation is a formal technique where material is repeated in an altered form. The changes may involve harmony, melody, counterpoint, rhythm, timbre, orchestration or any combination of these.-Variation form:...
the desire to be sufficient in the face of changing external circumstances.
According to Morissette on VH1 Storytellers
VH1 Storytellers
Storytellers is a television music series produced by the VH1 network.In each episode artists perform in front of a live audience, and tell stories about their music, writing experiences and memories, somewhat similar to MTV Unplugged...
, the song was written during a time when there were many people in her house and she retreated to her closet to write the lyrics. She also confirmed that she wrote the lyrics and then the music at different times.
Track listing
- "That I Would Be Good" (MTV Unplugged) – 4:07
- "Would Not Come" (Reverb live) – 4:11
- "Forgiven" (Reverb live) – 5:11
- "I Was Hoping" (99X live) – 4:37