"Head over Feet"
Artwork for European and Australian releases
Single by Alanis Morissette
from the album Jagged Little Pill
ReleasedJuly 22, 1996 (1996-07-22)[1]
Recorded1994–1995[2]
Length4:27
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Glen Ballard
Alanis Morissette singles chronology
"Ironic"
(1996)		 "Head over Feet"
(1996)		 "All I Really Want"
(1996)
Music video
"Head over Feet" on YouTube

"Head over Feet" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette, taken from her third (and first outside Canada) studio album Jagged Little Pill (1995). Written by Alanis and Glen Ballard, and produced by Ballard, it was released as the album's fifth single (sixth in the United States) in July 1996 and presented a softer sound than the previous singles from the album. "Head over Feet" talks about being best friends and lovers with someone at the same time, with Alanis thanking them for their manners, love and devotion.

"Head over Feet" received positive response from critics, who described it as soft and light. The song became Morissette's first number-one hit on the US Billboard Adult Top 40 chart and also topped the Top 40/Mainstream chart. In the United Kingdom, it was her first top-10 single, and it reached the top 20 in Australia. In Canada, the song spent eight weeks at number one on the RPM 100 Hit Tracks Chart, the most of any of her four number-one songs from Jagged Little Pill. The single also peaked at number one in Iceland.

A live version of "Head over Feet" is featured on the album Alanis Unplugged (1999), and an acoustic version of the song was recorded for the album Jagged Little Pill Acoustic (2005). The song is included in the Jagged Little Pill musical and is performed on the show's soundtrack by actors Celia Rose Gooding, Antonio Cipriano, Elizabeth Stanley and Sean Allan Krill.

Writing and composition

Alanis Morissette and Glen Ballard wrote "Head over Feet", one of the several tracks they collaborated on for her breakthrough album, Jagged Little Pill (1995). Ballard met Alanis on March 8, 1994, after his publishing company matched them up. According to Ballard, the connection was "instant", and within 30 minutes of meeting each other they had begun experimenting with different sounds in Ballard's home studio in San Fernando Valley, California.[3] Ballard also declared to Rolling Stone that, "I just connected with her as a person, and, almost parenthetically, it was like 'Wow, you're 19?' She was so intelligent and ready to take a chance on doing something that might have no commercial application. Although there was some question about what she wanted to do musically, she knew what she didn't want to do, which was anything that wasn't authentic and from her heart."[4]

"Head over Feet" tells a tale of a couple who are best friends as well as lovers, in which the protagonist thanks a friend for his manners, love and devotion.[5] For Jason Radford of Pop'Stache, "It speaks of love beyond the lines and attraction regardless of inhibitions."[6] Yahoo! Voices's Joanna Lopez wrote that the song "is about realizing you've fallen in love with your best friend."[7] "You are the bearer of unconditional things, you held your breath and the door for me, thanks for your patience," she sings.[8]

"Head over Feet" is performed in the key of C major, shifting to D major for the verses and middle-eight section of the song. The song is performed in common time at a tempo of 80 beats per minute.[9] Morissette's vocals span from G3 to B4 in the song.[10]

Critical reception

"Head over Feet" was released on July 22, 1996, as the album's fifth single.[1] The song received mostly positive response from music critics. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic chose it as a standout track on the album.[11] Likewise, Erlewine also picked it as a highlight on her compilation, The Collection (2005).[12] Melissa Minners of G- Pop called it "a pretty song," but admitted she prefers "the angry Alanis."[13] British magazine Music Week rated it four out of five, describing it as "another stormer, with the Canadian's extra-personal vocals rising to a dramatic crescendo. A surefire hit."[14] Jason Radford of Pop'Stache praised the track, writing that it "words itself brilliantly, providing the words that shaped a generation. Its metaphors are young, but mature, simple, but detailed."[6] John Weathered of Sputnikmusic wrote that on 'Head over Feet' "she sound[s] quite sweet, where she goes on about a friend who becomes her lover."[15] Joanna Lopez of Yahoo! Voices simply called it "a great song," praising the music, however feeling "the words are better than the music."[7]

Chart performance

"Head over Feet" was a major commercial success in Canada and the United Kingdom, peaking at number one and seven, respectively. In Canada, the song debuted at number 94 on the RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart[16] and later peaked at number one for eight weeks (the longest reign of the year), becoming her fourth consecutive number-one single from Jagged Little Pill.[17] The song spent 14 weeks in the Top Ten and was the number ten song for 1996, even though its last week at number one and last four weeks in the Top Ten spilled over in 1997. In the United Kingdom, it became the only single from the album to reach the top ten and remains her second most successful single in the UK after "Thank You" which peaked at number five in 1998.[18] In Australia, it was her third most successful single from the album on the ARIA Singles Chart, peaking at number 12,[19] while in New Zealand, it was her least successful, reaching number 27.[20]

In the United States, the song was released as a radio-only single, effectively making the song ineligible to enter the Billboard Hot 100. On the Top 40/Mainstream chart, it was another major radio hit, reaching the number one spot, becoming her third consecutive single to do so. The song reached number three on the Hot 100 Airplay (Radio Songs)[21] and number one on the Adult Top 40, her first single to achieve this.[22] On the Modern Rock Tracks chart, it debuted at number 36 on the issue of September 28, 1996, but only peaked at number 25, the least successful single from Jagged Little Pill.[23]

Music video

The music video for "Head over Feet" was directed by Michele Laurita. The video is simple, showing a close-up of Morisette singing and playing harmonica, and uses a locked-off camera that never changes its field of vision.[24] There are two versions of the video: the "Head" version and the "Feet" version (played in Europe and Asia). The 12th take version ends with Morisette's laughter, while the other version shows her and the band playing with children running and playing the harmonica around them. Both videos are featured on the DVD Jagged Little Pill, Live (1997).[24]

Released in September 1996,[23] the video received heavy rotation on MuchMusic, VH1, MTV and other music video channels. In October, the video was the third most played video on VH1 and the 22nd on MTV.[25] In November, the video was already among the top-twenty on the most watched videos list compiled by Billboard Magazine.[21] On the November 23, 1996, issue of Billboard, the video was the most played video on VH1.[26]

Track listings

All live tracks were recorded on March 6, 1996, at Wings Stadium, Kalamazoo, Michigan, unless otherwise noted.

Charts

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[52] Gold 35,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[53] Silver 200,000‡

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref(s).
United Kingdom July 22, 1996
  • CD
  • cassette
 [1]
Australia September 16, 1996 CD Maverick [54][19]
Japan October 10, 1996
  • Maverick
  • Reprise
 [55]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. July 20, 1996. p. 46.
  2. ↑ "Entertainment Weekly October 9, 2015".
  3. ↑ "Billboard Magazine - June 30, 2001". Billboard Magazine. June 30, 2001. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
  4. ↑ Wild, David (November 2, 1995). "Alanis Morissette: The Adventures of Miss Thing". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
  5. ↑ "Alanis Morissette - Jagged Little Pill - Plugged In". Plugged In. Focus on the Family. Archived from the original on March 31, 2014. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
  6. 1 2 Radford, Jason (March 31, 2011). "Alanis Morissette - Jagged Little Pill | Old 'Stache Review". PopStache. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
  7. 1 2 Lopez, Joanna (April 9, 2009). "Classic 90's Review- Alanis Morissette- Jagged Little Pill". Yahoo! Voices. Archived from the original on March 31, 2014. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
  8. ↑ Lamb, Bill. "Top 10 Alanis Morissette Lyrics". About.com. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  9. ↑ "BPM for 'head over feet' by alanis | songbpm.com". songbpm.com. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  10. ↑ Ballard, Glen (October 5, 2009). "Alanis Morissette "Head Over Feet" Sheet Music in C Major (transposable) - Download & Print". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  11. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Jagged Little Pill - Alanis Morissette | AllMusic". Allmusic. Retrieved December 26, 2011.
  12. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (November 15, 2005). "The Collection - Alanis Morissette: Allmusic". Allmusic. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
  13. ↑ Minners, Melissa. "G-Pop: Jagged Little Pill". G-Pop. Archived from the original on November 4, 2011. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
  14. ↑ "Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. July 13, 1996. p. 24. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  15. ↑ Weathered, John (August 15, 2006). "Review: Alanis Morissette - Jagged Little Pill". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
  16. ↑ "RPM 100 Hit Tracks". RPM. September 2, 1996. Retrieved August 16, 2019 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  17. 1 2 "Top RPM Singles: Issue 9851." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  18. 1 2 "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  19. 1 2 3 "Alanis Morissette – Head Over Feet". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  20. 1 2 "Alanis Morissette – Head Over Feet". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  21. 1 2 "Billboard - November 9, 1996 Issue". Billboard Magazine. November 9, 1996. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
  22. ↑ "Billboard - December 7, 1996 Issue". Billboard Magazine. December 7, 1996. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
  23. 1 2 "Billboard - September 28, 1996 Issue". Billboard Magazine. September 28, 1996. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
  24. 1 2 "Jagged little Pill live". Death of Cinderella. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
  25. ↑ "Billboard - October 19, 1996 Issue". Billboard Magazine. October 19, 1996. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
  26. ↑ "Billboard - November 23, 1996 Issue". Billboard Magazine. November 23, 1996. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
  27. ↑ Head over Feet (Australian CD single liner notes). Alanis Morissette. Maverick Records. 1996. 9362437192.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  28. ↑ Head over Feet (Australian cassette single sleeve). Alanis Morissette. Maverick Records. 1996. 9362437194.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  29. ↑ Head over Feet (UK & European CD single liner notes). Alanis Morissette. Maverick Records. 1996. WO355CD, 9362-43719-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  30. ↑ Head over Feet (UK cassette single sleeve). Alanis Morissette. Maverick Records. 1996. WO355C, 5439-17613-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  31. ↑ Head over Feet (Japanese mini-album CD liner notes). Alanis Morissette. Maverick Records. 1996. WPCR-849.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  32. ↑ "Alanis Morissette – Head Over Feet" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved January 29, 2011.
  33. ↑ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 9920." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  34. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 13, no. 32. August 10, 1996. p. 9. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  35. ↑ "Alanis Morissette – Head Over Feet" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved January 29, 2011.
  36. ↑ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (NR. 194 Vikuna 31.10. – 6.11. '96)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). November 1, 1996. p. 16. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
  37. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Head Over Feet". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  38. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 38, 1996" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  39. ↑ "Alanis Morissette – Head Over Feet" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  40. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  41. ↑ "Alanis Morissette Chart History (Radio Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  42. ↑ "Alanis Morissette Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  43. ↑ "Alanis Morissette Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  44. ↑ "Alanis Morissette Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  45. ↑ "Alanis Morissette Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  46. ↑ "Alanis Morissette Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  47. ↑ "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles 1996". ARIA. Archived from the original on November 2, 2015. Retrieved January 13, 2019 – via Imgur.
  48. ↑ "RPM Year End Top 100 Hit Tracks". RPM. Retrieved January 13, 2019 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  49. ↑ "RPM Year End Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks". RPM. Retrieved January 13, 2019 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  50. ↑ "Árslistinn 1996". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). January 2, 1997. p. 25. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  51. ↑ "RPM '97 Year End Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks". RPM. Retrieved January 13, 2019 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  52. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1997 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  53. ↑ "British single certifications". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  54. ↑ "Jagged Little Pill". alanis-m.com. Archived from the original on November 12, 2021. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  55. ↑ "ヘッド・オーバー・フィート&ライブ | アラニス・モリセット" [Head over Feet & Live | Alanis Morissette] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
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