Alanis Morissette reveals her song You Oughta Know was a ‘revenge fantasy’

Alanis Morissette reveals her song You Oughta Know was a ‘revenge fantasy’ that stopped her ‘smashing up someone’s car’ – after her ex Dave Coulier insisted the track is about him

Alanis Morissette has shed light on her 1995 hit song, You Oughta Know. 

In an interview with Stellar magazine published on Saturday, the 45-year-old says it was a ‘revenge fantasy’ that stopped her acting out. 

She said: ‘I didn’t write that song to seek actual revenge. I’m all about revenge fantasy, revenge as art – go for it.  I’m not about formal acting out of revenge.

Open: Alanis Morissette (pictured) has shed light on her 1995 hit song, You Oughta Know. In an interview with Stellar magazine published on Saturday, the 45-year-old says it was a ‘revenge fantasy’ that stopped her acting out. Pictured in 2020

‘Just like I’m not anger. I love anger; I’m not into punching someone in the face. I’m about revenge fantasy; I’m not about smashing up someone’s car.

The Canadian singer added: ‘It’s an important distinction to make as a mum’. 

Actor Dave Coulier, who played Uncle Joey on Full House, is widely believed to be the subject of the song. 

Is it him? Actor Dave Coulier, who played Uncle Joey on Full House, is widely believed to be the subject of the song. Pictured together in 1993

Is it him? Actor Dave Coulier, who played Uncle Joey on Full House, is widely believed to be the subject of the song. Pictured together in 1993

Alanis said: 'I didn't write that song to seek actual revenge. I'm all about revenge fantasy, revenge as art – go for it. I'm not about formal acting out of revenge'. Pictured: You Oughta Know Music video, 1995

Alanis said: ‘I didn’t write that song to seek actual revenge. I’m all about revenge fantasy, revenge as art – go for it. I’m not about formal acting out of revenge’. Pictured: You Oughta Know Music video, 1995 

The 60-year-old actor, who dated Alanis in the early 1990s, has even insisted he believes it’s about him. 

However Alanis has insisted that she will never reveal who the song is really about – and doesn’t know why anyone would claim it’s them. 

She tells Stellar: ‘I wouldn’t be clamouring to take credit for being the person who inspired that song! But I guess they don’t care?’ 

She added: 'Just like I'm not anger. I love anger; I'm not into punching someone in the face. I'm about revenge fantasy; I'm not about smashing up someone's car'. Pictured in the 1990s

She added: ‘Just like I’m not anger. I love anger; I’m not into punching someone in the face. I’m about revenge fantasy; I’m not about smashing up someone’s car’. Pictured in the 1990s

Secret: Alanis has insisted that she will never reveal who the song is really about - and doesn't know why anyone would claim it's them. She tells Stellar: 'I wouldn't be clamouring to take credit for being the person who inspired that song! But I guess they don't care?'

Secret: Alanis has insisted that she will never reveal who the song is really about – and doesn’t know why anyone would claim it’s them. She tells Stellar: ‘I wouldn’t be clamouring to take credit for being the person who inspired that song! But I guess they don’t care?’

It's me! Dave has said there is a dead giveaway that the hit song is about him - the lyric 'I hate to bug you in the middle of dinner.' 'When I heard the line, it was like, 'uh-oh,' he said

It’s me! Dave has said there is a dead giveaway that the hit song is about him – the lyric ‘I hate to bug you in the middle of dinner.’ ‘When I heard the line, it was like, ‘uh-oh,’ he said 

In an interview with HuffPost Live, Dave said there is a dead giveaway that the hit song is about him – the lyric ‘I hate to bug you in the middle of dinner.’  

‘We had already broken up. She called and I said, ‘Hey, you know, I’m right in the middle of dinner. Can I just call you right back?’ 

‘When I heard the line, it was like, ‘uh-oh,’ Dave said.  

He added that there is no bad blood, however, adding: ‘I think nothing but the world of her.’ 

Celebrating: It's been 25 years since Alanis released her hit album Jagged Little Pill which featured the smash song You Ought Know

Celebrating: It’s been 25 years since Alanis released her hit album Jagged Little Pill which featured the smash song You Ought Know 

Read more: In this week's Stellar magazine

Read more: In this week’s Stellar magazine