Uninvited (song)

"Uninvited" is a song by Canadian-American recording artist and songwriter Alanis Morissette, released as a single from the soundtrack of City of Angels in February 1998, becoming Morissette's first new recording since her international debut album, Jagged Little Pill (1995). Morissette wrote the song and co-produced it with Rob Cavallo. "Uninvited" is driven by four piano notes and builds to an instrumental climax, and haunting atmosphere accompanied by cryptic lyrics.

"Uninvited"
Single by Alanis Morissette
from the album City of Angels: Music from the Motion Picture
Released	February 24, 1998 (1998-02-24)^[1]
Length	4:34
Label	Maverick
Songwriter(s)	Alanis Morissette
Producer(s)	Alanis Morissette, Rob Cavallo
Alanis Morissette singles chronology
"All I Really Want" (1996) "Uninvited" (1998) "Thank U" (1998)

Because the song was not released as a physical single in the United States, it was not allowed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 due to rules in place at the time. It instead appeared on the Hot 100 Airplay chart, peaking at number four in June 1998. In Canada, "Uninvited" reached number seven on the RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart. Elsewhere, the single peaked at number one in El Salvador and number six in Iceland. In 1999, the song won two Grammy Awards: Best Female Rock Vocal Performance and Best Rock Song.

Background and release

After the massive success of her breakthrough album, Jagged Little Pill (1995) (which spawned the worldwide hits, "You Oughta Know", "Ironic", "Head over Feet" and "You Learn"), Morissette was considered one of the biggest music stars in the world, and many fans anxiously awaited a follow-up album.^[2] That would be Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie, released in November 1998; however, "Uninvited" was released as the lead single from the City of Angels soundtrack prior to that.

"Uninvited" was released to American radio stations in March 1998 and was still receiving substantial radio airplay by the following August.^[3] An internet and radio leak of "Uninvited" in early March forced Warner Bros. to release the entire soundtrack to radio before it became available in stores. According to a publicity manager for Warner Music Canada, the measure was "an inconvenience" taken to stop radio stations from playing low-quality versions of the song downloaded from the internet.^[4]

Following the song's leak, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) took down several websites featuring the song. "Uninvited" was due for release on March 31, but was leaked to radio on March 6. Newsbytes, a computer industry news service, reported that fast-working fans in Los Angeles, upon hearing the song on KROQ, taped the track and uploaded it onto their websites. Several sites were involved, according to Newsbytes, including ones based in Los Angeles, London and Mexico City.^[5] The unauthorized material was removed, and in several cases, the whole site was shut down. The action was part of a campaign by the RIAA to stop unauthorized reproductions of recordings on the internet.^[5]

"Uninvited" was not included on Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie, but a demo version was included as a bonus track on the Australian and Japanese releases of the album as well as a B-side in the UK CD single for "Thank U". The compilation Alanis Morissette: The Collection (2005) was Morissette's first album to include the song in its original studio format; she had performed an acoustic version of the song during her 1999 MTV Unplugged appearance, which was released as the album Alanis Unplugged. An acoustic version of the song was also included on the video album Live in the Navajo Nation.

Composition

"Uninvited" is driven by four piano notes and builds to an instrumental climax. According to one critic, "Uninvited" is a moody song that contains an "indelible melody and haunting atmosphere" accompanied by cryptic lyrics.^[6] It is written in the key of D mixolydian^[7] with a tempo of 66 beats per minute.^[8]

Reception

"Uninvited" was nominated for three Grammy Awards in 1998: Best Female Rock Vocal Performance, Best Rock Song and Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or for Television, winning in the Female Rock Vocal and Best Rock Song categories.^[9] It also won an ASCAP Award for Most Performed Song from Motion Pictures and received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Song - Motion Picture. Additionally, the song entered About.com's "Top 10 Alanis Morissette Lyrics" list at number 10, with Bill Lamb picking the lyrics, "Like anyone would be, I am flattered by your fascination with me, Like any hot blooded woman, I have simply wanted an object to crave" as the best.^[10] Although never officially released as a single to retail outlets (which prevented it from charting on the Billboard Hot 100), the song became a hit for Morissette. "Uninvited" was Morissette's fourth number-one single on the Billboard Top 40 Mainstream chart and it reached the top five on the Adult Top 40 and the top 40 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart. It became a success in El Salvador, peaking at number one, becoming Morissette's first chart-topper there.^[11] Worldwide, "Uninvited" sold over seven million copies.^[12]

Music video

No music video accompanied the single's release, but three videos of performances of "Uninvited" were released: the first one at the 1999 Grammy Awards, another on the Feast on Scraps (2002) release, and another on the extended cut of VH1 Storytellers: Alanis Morissette. This performance was not included in the original Storytellers broadcast in 1999.

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1998) Peak position Canada Top Singles (RPM)^[13] 7 Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)^[14] 23 Canada Rock/Alternative (RPM)^[15] 3 El Salvador (El Siglo de Torreón)^[11] 1 Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)^[16] 6 US Radio Songs (Billboard)^[17] 4 US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)^[18] 3 US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)^[19] 26 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)^[20] 1 Chart (2009) Peak position Denmark (Tracklisten)^[21] 24

Year-end charts Chart (1998) Position Canada Top Singles (RPM)^[22] 20 Canada Rock/Alternative (RPM)^[23] 37 Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)^[24] 63

Notable covers

Freemasons version

"Uninvited"
Single by Freemasons featuring Bailey Tzuke
from the album Unmixed
Released	October 22, 2007 (2007-10-22)
Length	3:08
Label	Universal
Songwriter(s)	Alanis Morissette
Producer(s)	Freemasons
Freemasons singles chronology
"Nothing but a Heartache" (2007) "Uninvited" (2007) "When You Touch Me" (2008)
Bailey Tzuke singles chronology
"Uninvited" (2007) "All I Need" (2013)
Music video
"Uninvited" on YouTube

English band Freemasons recorded a version of "Uninvited" featuring British singer and songwriter Bailey Tzuke for their 2007 album, Unmixed. This version experienced success in the United Kingdom and European markets. To date, the song is the band's highest-charting single in the United Kingdom, peaking at number eight on the Official Singles Chart for three weeks, topping the UK Dance Chart, and receiving a Silver certification from the British Phonographic Industry for selling more than 200,000 copies. The single experienced the most commercial success in the Flanders region of Belgium, reaching number two on the Ultratop 50 in February 2008.

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2007–2008) Peak position Australia Physical Singles (ARIA)^[25] 39 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)^[26] 2 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)^[27] 11 Belgium Dance (Ultratop Flanders)^[28] 2 France (SNEP)^[29] 11 Hungary (Dance Top 40)^[30] 1 Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)^[31] 8 Ireland (IRMA)^[32] 50 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[33] 4 Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[34] 5 Romania (Romanian Top 100)^[35] 39 Scotland (OCC)^[36] 9 UK Singles (OCC)^[37] 8 UK Dance (OCC)^[38] 1 US Dance/Mix Show Airplay (Billboard)^[39] 23

Year-end charts Chart (2007) Position Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[40] 99 UK Singles (OCC)^[41] 55 Chart (2008) Position Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)^[42] 13 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)^[43] 43 Hungary (Dance Top 40)^[44] 11 Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)^[45] 42 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[46] 52 Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[47] 67

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)^[48]	Silver	200,000^*
^* Sales figures based on certification alone.

References

1. . alanis-m.com. Archived from the original on April 10, 2021. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
2. "Rock on the Net: Alanis Morissette". Rock on the Net. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
3. Rosen, Craig. "'City' A Set-Up For New Alanis, Goo Goo Dolls Albums". Yahoo! Music. August 27, 1998. Retrieved November 11, 2006.
4. Cairney, Richard. "Cover Story" October 18, 2006, at the Wayback Machine. SEE Magazine. March 19, 1998. Retrieved November 11, 2006.
5. "Morissette's "Uninvited" Websites Shut Down, No Tours on the Books". MTV.
6. "MTV Unplugged - Alanis Morissette - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic.
7. "Uninvited by Alanis Morissette Chords and Melody". Retrieved September 26, 2022.
8. "Uninvited by Alanis Morissette – Digital Sheet Music". Musicnotes. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
9. "1998 41st Grammy Awards". Los Angeles Times.
10. Lamb, Bill. "Top 10 Alanis Morissette Lyrics". About.com. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
11. "Domina listas de popularidad". El Siglo de Torreón (in Spanish). July 15, 1998. p. 45. from the original on June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
12. "Album of the Decade. Artist of a Lifetime". Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 52. December 25, 1999. p. YE-15 – via Google Books.
13. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 3592." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
14. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 3562." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
15. "Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Issue 3559." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
16. "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (14.5. – 21.5. 1998)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). May 15, 1998. p. 22. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
17. "Alanis Morissette Chart History (Radio Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
18. "Alanis Morissette Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
19. "Alanis Morissette Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
20. "Alanis Morissette Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
21. "Alanis Morissette – Uninvited". Tracklisten.
22. "RPM's Top 100 Hit Tracks of '98" (PDF). RPM. Vol. 63, no. 12. December 14, 1998. p. 20. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
23. "RPM's Top 50 Alternative Tracks of '98". RPM. Retrieved March 23, 2019 – via Library and Archives Canada.
24. "Íslenski Listinn Topp 100 – Vinsælustu Lögin '98". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). January 2, 1999. p. 34. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
25. "The ARIA Report: ARIA Top 100 Physical Singles – Week Commencing 2nd June 2008" (PDF). ARIA. June 2, 2008. p. 7. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 26, 2008. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
26. "Freemasons feat. Bailey Tzuke – Uninvited" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
27. "Freemasons feat. Bailey Tzuke – Uninvited" (in French). Ultratop 50.
28. "Freemasons feat. Bailey Tzuke – Uninvited" (in Dutch). Ultratop Dance. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
29. "Freemasons feat. Bailey Tzuke – Uninvited" (in French). Les classement single.
30. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Dance Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
31. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
32. "Irish-charts.com – Discography Freemasons". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
33. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 1, 2008" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
34. "Freemasons feat. Bailey Tzuke – Uninvited" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
35. (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on April 30, 2008. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
36. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
37. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
38. "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
39. "Freemasons Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
40. "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 2007". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
41. "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2007". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
42. "Jaaroverzichten 2008" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
43. "Rapports annuels 2008" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
44. "Dance Top 100 – 2008" (in Hungarian). Mahasz. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
45. "Rádiós Top 100 – hallgatottsági adatok alapján – 2008" (in Hungarian). Mahasz. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
46. "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 2008". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
47. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2008" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
48. "British single certifications – Freemasons ft Bailey Tzuke – Uninvited". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 16, 2019.