You Owe Me Nothing In Return

Album: Under Rug Swept (2002)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "The heart of that song is about the real definition of what love is," Morissette explained in the track-by-track commentary. "And what love is to me is wanting for someone that you love what they want for themselves. And at the same time not sacrificing my own life and my thoughts and my own beliefs. Supporting someone in their choices and at the same time being able to express what mine are, even if they differ, is the ultimate healthy, loving interaction. And there were a few lyrics that I changed in the song because it was kind of hinting at myself sacrificially, loving someone at the cost of myself, which is definitely not the case and really not the sentiment that I was trying to get across in the song. So, having changed some of the lines that were kind of hinting at that, the song finally addressed what I was trying to communicate, which is: the highest form of love is to really listen to someone and honor them and accept them and have my own version and definition of who it is that I am. And if they can both cohabitate or spend time together or feel compatible, great. And if they don't, that's okay too -there's still a lotta love - but maybe the form of the relationship would change."
  • This features Meshell Ndegeocello on bass.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Janis Ian

Janis IanSongwriter Interviews

One of the first successful female singer-songwriters, Janis had her first hit in 1967 at age 15.

Lace the Music: How LSD Changed Popular Music

Lace the Music: How LSD Changed Popular MusicSong Writing

Starting in Virginia City, Nevada and rippling out to the Haight-Ashbury, LSD reshaped popular music.

Jimmy Jam

Jimmy JamSongwriter Interviews

The powerhouse producer behind Janet Jackson's hits talks about his Boyz II Men ballads and regrouping The Time.

Dar Williams

Dar WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

A popular contemporary folk singer, Williams still remembers the sticky note that changed her life in college.

Commercials

CommercialsFact or Fiction

Was "Ring Of Fire" really used to sell hemorrhoid cream?

Reverend Horton Heat

Reverend Horton HeatSongwriter Interviews

The Reverend rants on psychobilly and the egghead academics he bashes in one of his more popular songs.