Alanis Morissette

Songwriter: Alanis Morissette

Producer: Alanis Morissette

[Verse 1]
Do you derive joy when someone else succeeds?
Do you not play dirty when engaged in competition?
Do you have a big intellectual capacity
But know that it alone does not equate to wisdom?
Do you see everything as an illusion
But enjoy it even though you are not of it?
Are you both masculine and feminine, politically aware, and don't believe in capital punishment?

[Chorus]
These are 21 things that I want in a lover
Not necessarily needs but qualities that I prefer

[Verse 2]
Do you derive joy from diving in and seeing that
Loving someone can actually feel like freedom?
Are you funny and self-deprecating, like adventure, and have many formed opinions?

[Chorus]
These are 21 things that I want in a lover
Not necessarily needs but qualities that I prefer
I figure I can describe it since I have a choice in the matter
These are 21 things I choose to choose in a lover

[Verse 3]
I'm in no hurry; I could wait forever
I'm in no rush 'cause I like being solo
There are no worries and certainly no pressure
In the meantime, I'll live like there's no tomorrow
Are you uninhibited in bed, more than three times a week, up for being experimental?
Are you athletic?
Are you thriving in a job that helps your brother?
Are you not addicted?

[Chorus]
These are 21 things that I want in a lover
Not necessarily needs but qualities that I prefer
I figure I can describe it since I have a choice in the matter
These are 21 things I choose to choose in a lover

Alanis Nadine Morissette was born on June 1, 1974, in Ottawa, Canada. At age 6, she began taking piano lessons, and by the time she was 9, she was writing her own songs.

When she was 11, Morissette joined the cast of a Nickelodeon children’s show called You Can’t Do That on Television, and saved up her earnings. In 1987, she used them to self-release her first track, “Fate Stay With Me.” The song caught the attention of record label MCA Canada; at age 14, Morissette signed a contract with the company. She released a self-titled album, Alanis, in 1991, which went platinum. Quickly following up the success of her first album, Morissette released Now Is The Time a year later, though it did not reach the same level of popularity.

In 1994 Morissette moved to Los Angeles teamed up with industry veteran Glen Ballard, and she began to approach songwriting more organically.

more tracks from the album

Under Rug Swept

From the album

Under Rug Swept (2002)

Alanis Morissette popular songs

21 Things I Want in a LoverAlanis Morissette

Alanis Morissette

Under Rug Swept