Album: Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie (1998)
Charted: 58
Play Video
  • Dear Matthew, I like you a lot
    I realize you're in a relationship
    With someone right now and I respect
    That I would like you to know that if you're ever single
    In the future and you want to come visit me in California
    I would be open to spending time with you and finding
    Out how old you were when you wrote your first song

    Dear Jonathan, I liked you too much
    I used to be attracted to boys
    Who would lie to me
    And think solely about themselves and you
    Were plenty self-destructive for my taste
    At the time I used to say
    The more tragic, the better
    The truth is whenever I think of the early '90s
    Your face comes up with a vengeance
    Like it was yesterday

    Dear Terrance, I love you muchly
    You've been nothing but open-hearted
    And emotionally available and supportive
    And nurturing and consummately there
    For me, I kept drawing you in
    And pushing you away
    I remember how beautiful it was to fall asleep
    On your couch and cry
    In front of you for the first time
    You were the best platform
    From which to jump beyond myself
    What was wrong with me

    Dear Marcus, you rocked my world
    You had a charismatic way
    About you with the women and you got me
    Seriously thinking about spirituality
    And you wouldn't let me get away
    With kicking my own ass

    But I could never really feel relaxed and looked out
    For around you though
    And that stopped us from going any further
    Than we did and it's kinda too bad
    'Cause we could've had much more fun

    Dear Lou, we learned so much
    I realize we won't be able to talk for some time
    And I understand that as I do you
    The long distance thing was the hardest
    And we did as well as we could
    We were together during a very tumultuous time
    In our lives
    I will always have your back
    And be curious about you
    About your career, your whereabouts Writer/s: Alanis Nadine Morissette, Glen Ballard
    Publisher: CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 3

  • Jasper from TennesseeUmm, no Bill, a google search would tell you that timeline doesn't match up. Dave didn't get married until 2000 and his “Before these Crowded Streets” album came out in 1998.

    As far as Matthew Sweet, I'm not finding any of that on the InterWebs and it seems to be widely stated that it's Dave Matthews, but who knows? It could be Matthew Sweet, I'm just going by the information that's out there and what's not out there. But a good guess though... i could kinda see those two.
  • Bill from Ohio, OhAlanis is referring to Dave Matthews as the first guy in the song. Hence the play on words “Dear Matthew” e.g. “Dave Matthews”. She worked on some tracks on Dave Matthew’s album “Before these Crowded Streets” and developed a platonic relationship with him and an admiration for his songwriting ability. Dave was faithfully married. Thus, the following lines “If you’re ever single in the future… come visit me in California…How old you were when you wrote your first song…?” She recorded “Unsent” soon after working with Dave in the studio sessions.
  • Mel from Boyds, MdThe first guy- Matthew was Matthew Sweet. He is a singer songwriter
see more comments

Editor's Picks

They Might Be Giants

They Might Be GiantsSongwriter Interviews

Who writes a song about a name they found in a phone book? That's just one of the everyday things these guys find to sing about. Anything in their field of vision or general scope of knowledge is fair game. If you cross paths with them, so are you.

Kim Thayil of Soundgarden

Kim Thayil of SoundgardenSongwriter Interviews

Their frontman (Chris Cornell) started out as their drummer, so Soundgarden takes a linear approach when it comes to songwriting. Kim explains how they do it.

Women Who Rock

Women Who RockSong Writing

Evelyn McDonnell, editor of the book Women Who Rock, on why the Supremes are just as important as Bob Dylan.

Laura Nyro

Laura NyroSongwriting Legends

Laura Nyro talks about her complex, emotionally rich songwriting and how she supports women's culture through her art.

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," Kiss

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," KissSong Writing

After cutting his teeth on hardcore punk videos, Paul defined the grunge look with his work on "Hunger Strike" and "Man in the Box."