"Hands Clean" is a song recorded by Canadian singer-songwriter
Alanis Morissette, for her fifth
studio album, ''
Under Rug Swept
''Under Rug Swept'' is the fifth studio album and third internationally released album by Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette. Released by Maverick Records in the United States on February 26, 2002, and in the United Kingdom a day earli ...
'' (2002). It was written, composed, and produced by Morissette and released as the album's
lead single
A lead single (also known as a debut single) is the first single to be released from a studio album by an artist or a band, usually before the album itself is released and also occasionally on the same day of the album's release date.
Release s ...
in January 2002. It features a shuffling, largely acoustic-rock framework. Lyrically, "Hands Clean" caused controversy, since it is reportedly the singer's recollection of a forbidden sexual relationship she shared with a much older man when she was approximately 14 years of age.
The song received generally positive reviews from
music critics
Music journalism (or music criticism) is media criticism and reporting about music topics, including popular music, classical music, and traditional music. Journalists began writing about music in the eighteenth century, providing commentary on w ...
, some of whom immediately chose the track as an album standout compared to some of her previous material. "Hands Clean" did well on the music charts, reaching number 23 on the US
''Billboard'' Hot 100 and number three on the ''Billboard''
Adult Top 40
The Adult Pop Airplay (formerly known as Adult Pop Songs and Adult Top 40) chart is published weekly by ''Billboard'' magazine and ranks "the most popular adult top 40 as based on radio airplay detections measured by Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems ...
. It topped the charts in New Zealand and Canada, where it became her sixth and most recent number-one single. An accompanying
music video
A music video is a video of variable duration, that integrates a music song or a music album with imagery that is produced for promotional or musical artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a music marketing device ...
was released in 2002 for the single.
Background and release
After ''
Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie
''Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie'' is the fourth studio album and second internationally released album by singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette, released by Maverick Records in the United States on November 3, 1998. The album was positively rec ...
'' – the 1998 follow-up to her 1995 breakthrough ''
Jagged Little Pill
''Jagged Little Pill'' is the third studio album by Canadian singer Alanis Morissette, released on June 13, 1995, through Maverick. It was her first album to be released worldwide. It marked a stylistic departure from the dance-pop sound of he ...
'' – Morissette joined
MTV for an
unplugged album, released in 1999.
Subsequently, she neither wrote nor composed for a few months, before developing a new album, through 2000 and 2001.
During that period, she acknowledged she had learned, "That men in positions of power were not to be entirely trusted with my body and soul just because they were older than me."
According to Jennifer Vineyeard of
MTV News, the new album's topic was "love, sex, cruelty – with the added vantage of years spent growing up and getting over the man who vexed her so."
[ Morissette wrote, composed, and produced ''Under Rug Swept'' by herself, claiming to have been inspired by events in her life, such as a break-up with her boyfriend and her contract renegotiation with ]Maverick
Maverick, Maveric or Maverik may refer to:
History
* Maverick (animal), an unbranded range animal, derived from U.S. cattleman Samuel Maverick
Aviation
* AEA Maverick, an Australian single-seat sportsplane design
* General Aviation Design Burea ...
.[ "I started writing alone," she said, "and within the first week I'd written seven songs. So it was all really fast and accelerated, and I think 'Hands Clean' was maybe the tenth song that I wrote and I just wrote it with a guitar in a room."]
Of the 27 songs written for the album, "Hands Clean" was picked to be the first single and was released on 8 January 2002. Before its official release, the song debuted on German radio on 24 December 2001.
Composition and lyrical content
"Hands Clean," written, composed, and produced entirely by Alanis Morissette, features a shuffling, largely acoustic-rock framework and a "pure-pop" hook.[ It is written in the key of ]G major
G major (or the key of G) is a major scale based on G, with the pitches G, A, B, C, D, E, and F. Its key signature has one sharp. Its relative minor is E minor and its parallel minor is G minor.
The G major scale is:
Notable composi ...
, with a moderate tempo of 96 beats per minute
Beat, beats or beating may refer to:
Common uses
* Patrol, or beat, a group of personnel assigned to monitor a specific area
** Beat (police), the territory that a police officer patrols
** Gay beat, an area frequented by gay men
* Battery ...
. The introduction
Introduction, The Introduction, Intro, or The Intro may refer to:
General use
* Introduction (music), an opening section of a piece of music
* Introduction (writing), a beginning section to a book, article or essay which states its purpose and g ...
follows the chord progression
In a musical composition, a chord progression or harmonic progression (informally chord changes, used as a plural) is a succession of chords. Chord progressions are the foundation of harmony in Western musical tradition from the common practice ...
of C–D–G/B–C that repeats throughout the song except for the bridge
A bridge is a structure built to span a physical obstacle (such as a body of water, valley, road, or rail) without blocking the way underneath. It is constructed for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle, which is usually somethi ...
that is Em-C-G-D two times. Morissette's vocal range spans from the low-note of G4 to the high-note of G6.
The narrative
A narrative, story, or tale is any account of a series of related events or experiences, whether nonfictional (memoir, biography, news report, documentary, travelogue, etc.) or fictional ( fairy tale, fable, legend, thriller, novel, etc. ...
voice of the song alternates; the verses are written from the presumed viewpoint of the other person in a relationship, an older man talking to a younger lover ("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" .."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"), whereas the chorus and bridge represent her own feelings ("We'll fast forward to a few years later/And no one knows except the both of us/And I have honoured your request for silence/And you've washed your hands clean of this").
Lyrically, "Hands Clean" explores a past relationship and how its effects linger.[ Jon Pareles of '']Rolling Stone
''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner, and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. It was first known for its ...
'' went further, writing that the song is about "an apparently matter-of-fact reminiscence of underage sex with a music-business mentor, an affair 'under rug swept.'"[ However, he commented that the song holds not a hint of Lolita guilt, forbidden passion, or resentment compared to her furious take on the same situation in "Right Through You" on '']Jagged Little Pill
''Jagged Little Pill'' is the third studio album by Canadian singer Alanis Morissette, released on June 13, 1995, through Maverick. It was her first album to be released worldwide. It marked a stylistic departure from the dance-pop sound of he ...
.''[ Website '' Jam! Music'' dug deeper, writing that it "tells the story of her attempts to come to grips with an intergenerational affair that started when she was as young as 14,"] a statement also made by other critics. In an interview for ''Q Magazine
''Q'' was a popular music magazine published monthly in the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1986 by broadcast journalists Mark Ellen and David Hepworth, who were presenters of the BBC television music series '' The Old Grey Whistle Test''. ...
'', Morissette confessed, "The grudge I hold is against myself for having been quiet for so long ..I've covered his ass for so many years. So now it's almost like ... I wanted to liberate myself from not beating myself up any longer. It's almost irrespective of his involvement now; it's more about me and my relationship with my own past."[
In a track-by-track commentary on her album, Morissette further commented about the track:
]
Critical reception
While choosing the song as a highlight from ''Under Rug Swept
''Under Rug Swept'' is the fifth studio album and third internationally released album by Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette. Released by Maverick Records in the United States on February 26, 2002, and in the United Kingdom a day earli ...
,'' Stephen Thomas Erlewine of ''Allmusic
AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databa ...
'' compared its lyrics to her earlier hit "You Oughta Know
"You Oughta Know" is a song by Canadian singer Alanis Morissette, released as the lead single from her third studio album, ''Jagged Little Pill'' (1995) on July 6, 1995. After releasing two studio albums, Morissette left MCA Records Canada and ...
," also noting that "this would all seem calculated, an attempt to regain her chart status, if Morissette wasn't so unabashedly earnest, seemingly unembarrassed by her confessions." Stephen Thompson from ''The A.V. Club
''The A.V. Club'' is an American online newspaper and entertainment website featuring reviews, interviews, and other articles that examine films, music, television, books, games, and other elements of pop-culture media. ''The A.V. Club'' was cre ...
'' praised the track for being "a breezy new single" and "infectious enough to surpass the direst moment of 'Under Rug Swept.'" David Browne of ''Entertainment Weekly
''Entertainment Weekly'' (sometimes abbreviated as ''EW'') is an American digital-only entertainment magazine based in New York City, published by Dotdash Meredith, that covers film, television, music, Broadway theatre, books, and popular cu ...
'' wrote that the song "could even be seen as a sequel to 'You Oughta Know,'" while Nikki Tranter of ''Popmatters
''PopMatters'' is an international online magazine of cultural criticism that covers aspects of popular culture. ''PopMatters'' publishes reviews, interviews, and essays on cultural products and expressions in areas such as music, television, fi ...
'' compared the lyrical content on the song to her previous songs "Plastic" and "Jealous," from her first album, '' Alanis.'' Larry Flick of ''Billboard Magazine
''Billboard'' (stylized as ''billboard'') is an American music and entertainment magazine published weekly by Penske Media Corporation. The magazine provides music charts, news, video, opinion, reviews, events, and style related to the musi ...
'' noted that the track show Morissette proudly wearing her affection for concise, pure-pop hooks,"[ while Mark Blake of '' Q'' called it "one of the album's peaks."] Kitty Empire
Kitty Empire is the pen name of a British writer and music critic, currently writing for ''The Observer''.
Early life
Empire says that she was born in Montreal, Quebec in 1970 and brought up in Canada, Italy and Egypt before arriving in Britain ...
of ''NME
''New Musical Express'' (''NME'') is a British music, film, gaming, and culture website and brand. Founded as a newspaper in 1952, with the publication being referred to as a 'rock inkie', the NME would become a magazine that ended up as a f ...
'' wrote a mixed review to the track, although calling it "a tolerable enough tune, mind, for those who think their chocolate craving says something poignant about their inner selves."
Chart performance
"Hands Clean" was a commercial success in many territories, reaching the top 10 in over six countries while also reaching the top-twenty in seven others. In the United States, the song debuted at number 65 on the week of 2 February 2002, becoming that week's "Hot Shot Debut", and moved up to number 49 the following week. The song cracked the top 40 in its third week, climbing to number 39, and peaked five weeks later at number 23 due to an increase in radio play. On other ''Billboard'' component charts, the song managed to reach number 19 on the Mainstream Top 40 and number three on the Adult Top 40
The Adult Pop Airplay (formerly known as Adult Pop Songs and Adult Top 40) chart is published weekly by ''Billboard'' magazine and ranks "the most popular adult top 40 as based on radio airplay detections measured by Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems ...
. In Canada, "Hands Clean" became her sixth number-one single. In the United Kingdom, the song managed to debut at number twelve, becoming her most successful single since "Thank U
"Thank U" is a song by Canadian-American recording artist and songwriter Alanis Morissette from her fourth studio album, ''Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie'' (1998). The song was written by Alanis Morissette and Glen Ballard, who produced h ...
" (1998) as well as her latest top-twenty single on the UK charts.
In Australia, "Hands Clean" debuted and peaked at number nine, on 8 February 2002. It became her highest-charting single there since "Ironic
Irony (), in its broadest sense, is the juxtaposition of what on the surface appears to be the case and what is actually the case or to be expected; it is an important rhetorical device and literary technique.
Irony can be categorized into ...
" in 1996 and her last to reach the top 10. It received a gold certification from the Australian Recording Industry Association
The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) is a trade association representing the Australian recording industry which was established in the 1970s by six major record companies, EMI, Festival, CBS, RCA, WEA and Universal replacing ...
for shipping over 35,000 units. In New Zealand, the song experienced more success, debuting at number 48 but peaking at number one ten weeks later. It became Morissette's most successful single and first number-one hit. The song also experienced commercial success in several European countries, including Italy, where it reached number three, Norway, peaking at number seven, and Switzerland, reaching number five.
Music video
Background and synopsis
Francis Lawrence
Francis Lawrence (born March 26, 1971) is an Austrian-born American filmmaker and producer. After establishing himself as a director of music videos and commercials, Lawrence made his feature-length directorial debut with the superhero thrille ...
directed the music video
A music video is a video of variable duration, that integrates a music song or a music album with imagery that is produced for promotional or musical artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a music marketing device ...
for "Hands Clean." It was televised and broadcast in January 2002 for the single's worldwide release.
The video begins with Alanis sitting in a sushi bar when she spies a man (played by Chris Sarandon
Christopher Sarandon (; born July 24, 1942) is an American actor. He is well known for playing a variety of iconic characters, including Jerry Dandrige in ''Fright Night'' (1985), Prince Humperdinck in ''The Princess Bride'' (1987), Detective Mik ...
) as he enters. She has a flashback to a time when she spurned his unwanted advances, and it had an effect on her. We see Alanis's memories played out on a television screen, and the process begins, recorded for public viewing and re-viewing. We see her writing about the relationship, guitar in hand, creating a song which she then records and takes to a record producer (played by Ian Gomez
Ian Braque Gomez (born December 27, 1964) is an American actor known for his comedic TV work, which include series-regular roles as Javier on '' Felicity'' and Andy on ''Cougar Town''.
Early life
He was born in New York City, New York, to an ar ...
), who presses it as a CD. She is soon posing for the CD sleeve photograph and shooting a video, which is played all over the world, just as the CD is being flown across oceans, in order to be put on display at hip record stores, where it is snapped up by many eager hands, including a girl in a beanie (played by Masiela Lusha). The singer is seen performing the song on the radio (radio DJ is played by Dean Haglund
Dean Haglund (born July 29, 1965) is a Canadian actor, known for the role of Richard "Ringo" Langly, one of The Lone Gunmen on ''The X-Files''. Haglund is also a stand-up comedian, specializing in improvisational comedy, including work with the ...
). At the video's conclusion, set a year after its beginning, Morissette again sees her former suitor enter the same sushi bar. Through her song, and the process of it becoming a hit and then a memory, she has come to terms with her past relationship. On seeing this person who had a profound effect on her this second time, she is able to move on: before departing the restaurant, she picks up a napkin and wipes her hands clean.
Track listings
Canadian CD single
# "Hands Clean" – 4:29
# "Sister Blister" – 4:10
UK and European CD1
# "Hands Clean" – 4:29
# "Unprodigal Daughter" – 4:09
# "Symptoms" – 4:15
UK and European CD2, Australian CD1
# "Hands Clean" – 4:29 (4:30 on Australian release)
# "Fear of Bliss" – 4:36
# "Sister Blister" – 4:10
Australian CD2, European maxi-single[
# "Hands Clean" – 4:29 (4:30 on Australian release)
# "Awakening Americans" – 4:25
# "Unprodigal Daughter" – 4:09
# "Symptoms" – 4:15
]
Personnel
Credits are lifted from the Canadian CD single liner notes.
* Alanis Morissette – vocals, electric guitar
* Nick Lashley – guitar
* Joel Shearer – guitar
* Gary Novak
Gary Novak (born in 1969) is an American session drummer who has collaborated with numerous artists as varied as George Benson, Maynard Ferguson, Chick Corea Elektric Band, Brandon Fields, Lee Ritenour, Michael McDonald, Natalie Cole, David Sanbo ...
– drums
* Tim Thorney
Tim Thorney (February 4, 1955 – June 15, 2021) was a Canadian guitarist, songwriter, and record producer, working out of his studio Villa Sound near Collingwood, Ontario.
History
Thorney first came to prominence as a recording engineer and s ...
– acoustic guitar
* Chris Bruce – bass
* Jamie Muhoberac Benjamin Edward "Jamie" Muhoberac is an American session keyboardist with numerous credits. He is best known for his work with Seal and Was (Not Was).
Biography
Muhoberac has worked with acts including The All-American Rejects, Fleetwood Mac, B ...
– keyboards
* Mark Stephens – piano
Charts and certifications
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Certifications
Release history
References
External links
Plugged in Online
{{Authority control
2001 songs
2002 singles
Alanis Morissette songs
Canadian Singles Chart number-one singles
Maverick Records singles
Music videos directed by Francis Lawrence
Number-one singles in New Zealand
Obscenity controversies in music
Reprise Records singles
Sexuality and age
Songs about sexual assault
Songs written by Alanis Morissette