That I Would Be Good

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"That I Would Be Good."
Single by Alanis Morissette
from the album MTV Unplugged and Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie
Released February 8, 2000
Format CD single
Recorded September 18, 1999
Genre Alternative rock
Length 4:07
Label Maverick
Writer(s) Alanis Morissette, Glen Ballard
Producer(s) Alanis Morissette
Alanis Morissette singles chronology
"So Pure"
(1999)		 "That I Would Be Good"
(1999)		 "King of Pain"
(2000)

"That I Would Be Good" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette that was first featured on her 1998 album Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie and later 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 latter album 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. The song received positive reviews from music critics, who praised the flute-solo by Morissette and its sweetness. Commercially, the single only charted on Billboard's "Adult Top 40" and Netherlands's Dutch Top 40.

Background and writing

"That I Would Be Good" was one of the songs included on Alanis Morissette's fourth studio album, "Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie" (1998). Eventually, the album spawned four singles, with "Thank U" being the most successful single.[1] Later, Alanis wrote the song "Still" for the soundtrack album of the 1999 film, Dogma.[2] On September 18, 1999, Alanis recorded an MTV Unplugged special, singing songs from her previous albums, "Jagged Little Pill" (1995) and "Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie" (1998), as well as previously unreleased tracks.[3]

The constant electrical buzz that can be heard throughout the track came unintentionally from Ballard recording too close to an amplifier. He re-recorded the guitar section to correct it, but Morissette immediately noticed the change - "What happened to the original?" - Ballard told her the buzz was bothering him, but she said, "No way. We've lost the magic, and you've gotta put it back."[4]

"That I Would Be Good" was chosen to be the lead-single of the album, being released on December 1999.[5][6] The CD Single features the 'MTV Unplugged' version of "That I Would Be Good" and live versions of "Would Not Come", "I Was Hoping" (from Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie) and "Forgiven" (from Jagged Little Pill).[7]

Composition

"That I Would Be Good" was written by Alanis Morissette and Glen Ballard; both wrote Morissette's biggest hits, "You Oughta Know", "Ironic", "You Learn", "Head over Feet" and "Thank U". Produced by Morissette herself, the song is a "muted" and "crawling" ballad, with a flute-solo coda, where Alanis plays her own flute, breathing too hard between the notes.[8] Written in the key of A major, it has a moderately tempo of 84 beats per minute, while Morissette's vocals span from the low-note of B3 to the high-note of A6.[9]

Lyrically, "That I Would Be Good" claims a self-confidence independent of fluctuations in emotional state or physical appearance.[10] It is filled with wonder over whether one still feels whole in the face of any number of life's ills: losing youth, bankruptcy, insanity, the absence of a chosen lover.[5] 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.[11]

Critical reception

The song's studio version received positive reviews from music critics. Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone was positive, calling it "the boldest, sweetest statement" on the album, realizing that while playing the flute, "she works her ass off to get it right, but she wins you over with her sheer daring; it isn't every day that a megastar comes right out and auditions for you."[8] Chuck Taylor of Billboard noted that the track is "intense and meaningful", praising the addition of the flute, writing that "it's unique and appealing". Taylor also saw it as "a beautiful song" and "it could turn out to be a solid return hit."[5] Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine wrote that the song "ends with a painful yet endearing flute solo by Morissette."[12]

The unplugged version also gathered favorable reaction. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic saw that Alanis chose to perform tracks from her latest album "Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie" on the unplugged album "as a way to reintroduce it to an audience that largely ignored it the first time around," describing the tracks, including "That I Would Be Good" as "extremely personal songs, which benefit from the stripped-down arrangements and intimate surroundings."[13] Neva Chonin of Rolling Stone commented that during some parts of the acoustic set, Alanis "overpowers her band", sometimes she kills them with neglect - 'Ironic' and 'That I Would Be Good,' for instance, have been whittled down to bare acoustic essentials."[14]

Commercial performance

"That I Would Be Good" was a minor hit on Billboard's Adult Top 40 Tracks chart, peaking at number 24.[1] It also charted on Netherlands's Dutch Top 40 chart, debuting at number 75, on November 20, 1999, while peaking at number 55 the following week. It remained at the peak position for a further week, while charting for ten weeks on the Dutch Top 40 charts.[15]

Covers and pop culture

Kelly Clarkson covered the track on her tour.

Kelly Clarkson covered "That I Would Be Good" during her "All I Ever Wanted Tour", being mashed up with Kings of Leon's "Use Somebody". It was later recorded and included on her third EP The Smoakstack Sessions Vol. 2 released along with her Greatest Hits: Chapter One album. For Jessica Sager of Pop Crush, "it's an unexpected combination, but thematically and sonically, they work together perfectly," also praising Clarkson's vocals on "That I Would Be Good", writing that, "Clarkson replaces the Canadian crooner’s warbling with her own soulful pipes."[16] Alex Nagorsi of MuuMuse wrote that, "Clarkson’s soaring vocal range takes center stage to deliver a powerhouse performance."[17] The song appeared on the popular teen drama Dawson's Creek twice in relation to one of the show's lead characters, Jennifer, played by Michelle Williams.[18] Singaporean singer Stefanie Sun covered the song on her album Start.

Track listing

  1. "That I Would Be Good" (MTV Unplugged) – 4:07
  2. "Would Not Come" (Reverb live) – 4:11
  3. "Forgiven" (Reverb live) – 5:11
  4. "I Was Hoping" (99X live) – 4:37

Charts

Chart (1996–97) Peak
position
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[19] 55
US Billboard Adult Top 40 Tracks[1] 24

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Alanis Morissette - Billboard Singles". Allmusic. Retrieved August 23, 2006.
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  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Alanis Morissette search results" (in Dutch) Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 29, 2014.

External links

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