This week’s Song of the Week was recommended by MIA writer and contributor J.A. Carter-Winward: “Back in the early 00s, I vaguely recall hearing that Ms. Morissette had bipolar disorder. At the time, I was trying to embrace my own ill-fitting (and incorrect, it turns out) diagnosis. Then, in 2020, I came across this song from her new album, “Such Pretty Forks in the Road.” She, like me, no longer resonated with a reductive label. “Call it what you want / ‘Cause I don’t even care anymore / Call it what you need to / To make yourself comfortable…”
It’s a vulnerable song that speaks to the isolation that accompanies a diagnosis. It’s as if we’ve forgotten how messy the human condition is. How can we possibly understand what it means to be human if we accept these invisible brands on our self-concepts meant to dictate our behavior? When I heard this song, I wanted to reach out to Alanis and ask her if she’d found that “glimpse of ease” she hadn’t felt in so long. I hope she has.”
-J.A. Carter-Winward
J. A. Carter-Winward, thank you for this post.What you sayis true for me as well, and unfortunately as someone stuck for years labeled and controlled by psychiatrists who have NO expertise whatsoever!!!!!, I have a huge residue of anger at them, because I will probably not get fully off psych meds in this life. It is the fault of a chauvinistic, nature destroying, elitist caste system society. I will have to listen to those two songs of ALanis Morrisette. I also felt she was an eclectic artist, but what you said helps me get a better picture of her. Peace and self wisdom and happiness to you! Eadward Kaitz
Report comment
It’s not just women who get stuck in this jungle of control and diagnosis. I’m a man and got it at 17. Took Dr. Amen’s God gifted explanation of the brain (he treated Miley Cyrus and Bieber) to help me get back. I’m back.
Report comment
Woke this morn & it hit meā¦why have her songs resonated for so long with me, gotten me thru darkest hours, inspired during times of bliss & creativity? Ah ha! She, too was long ago labeled! Despite these labels, which for sure, at times, feel EXTREMELY degrading, thank God for them. How else could these limited human brains of ours create a common language effective enough to develop therapies & even Rxās (necessary in some cases) to support the weās with what I prefer to call.. āGenius Disorderā ? Thank u Alanis for having the AMAZING COURAGE to sing your truths out to the world.
Report comment
There’s a great documentary about Alanis that covers her mental health struggles as well as her battle with post partum depression.
Report comment