It is without a doubt that Alanis Morissette’s 1995 song, “Ironic”, was a massive hit. Not only did it make top 5 in Australia, Canada, US, and Norway music charts, it also went on to be nominated for 2 Grammy awards.
And who can forget the iconic “Ironic” (well, that’s a bit of a tongue-twisted) music video, which featured Alanis Morissette as quadruplets singing in a car on what looks like a road trip?
The music video cinched 6 MTV Video Music Awards nominations. Because it’s awesome like that.
And now, fast forward to 20 years later, the singer-songwriter has finally updated the lyrics to her most popular hit with the help of “The Late Late Show” host James Corden. To give it a more current take, she included modern “problems” such as Facebook, Netflix, Snapchat, vaping, Uber, and Tinder. Oh, you know, things that teens these days can relate to.
“It’s like they announce a new iPhone the day after you buy it.”
Note: In case you’ve forgotten what the original lyrics were, or if you were too young back then when it was released, go here to jog your memory.
In the “The Late Late Show” segment, the pair revived Alanis’ signature “Ironic” thick braids and red ski cap look from the 1995 music video. The lyrics also included Alanis and James throwing playful jabs at each other, with Alanis singing a line about the lack of women hosting late-night shows.
“It’s 10,000 male late-night hosts when all you want is just one woman, seriously,” she sings directly at James. “It’s like singing the duet of your dreams and then Alanis Morissette is shouting at you,” Corden responds jokingly.
“And isn’t it ironic, don’t you think? A little too ironic, and yeah I really do think.”
Check out the full lyrics below:
An old friend sends you a Facebook request
You only find out they’re racist after you accept
There’s free office cake on the first day of your diet
It’s like they announce a new iPhone the day after you buy it
And isn’t it ironic, don’t you think?
It’s like swiping left on your future soulmate
It’s a Snapchat that you wish you had saved
It’s a funny tweet that nobody faves
And who would’ve thought it figures
It’s a traffic jam when you try to use Waze
A no-smoking sign when you brought your vape
It’s 10,000 male late-night hosts when all you want is just one woman, seriously!
It’s singing the duet of your dreams, and then Alanis Morissette shouting at you
And isn’t it ironic, don’t you think?
A little too ironic, and yeah I really do think
It’s like you’re first class on a Southwest plane
Then you realize that every seat is the same
It’s like Amazon but your package never came
And who would’ve thought it figures
It’s like Netflix but you own DVDs
It’s a free ride but your Uber’s down the street
It’s singing “Ironic,” but there are no ironies
And who would’ve thought it figures
And now, watch the hilarious “The Late Late Show” video of Alanis Morissette and James Corden singing “Ironic”:
The “Ironic” refresh was done in promotion of the 20th anniversary reissue of Alanis Morissette’s breakthrough chart-topping album, Jagged Little Pill.