Guardian (song)
"Guardian" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Alanis Morissette | ||||
from the album Havoc and Bright Lights | ||||
B-side | "Lens" | |||
Released | May 11, 2012 | |||
Genre | Alternative rock | |||
Length | 3:27 (radio version) 4:18 (album version) | |||
Label | Collective Sounds | |||
Songwriter(s) | Alanis Morissette, Guy Sigsworth | |||
Producer(s) | Joe Chiccarelli, Guy Sigsworth | |||
Alanis Morissette singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"Guardian" on YouTube |
"Guardian" is a song by Canadian-American recording artist Alanis Morissette, released as the lead single from her eighth studio album, Havoc and Bright Lights (2012).[1][2] The song was written by Morissette and Guy Sigsworth, and produced by Sigsworth and Joe Chiccarelli. It is a rock song, in which Morissette promises to look after a special someone.
The song received positive reviews from music critics, with most of them praising her return and commending its freshness and brightness. The music video was released on July 27, 2012, and it shows Morissette singing on a Berlin rooftop equipped with a set of angel wings and eventually brightens the children and parents she is watching over.
The song was a moderate success in some countries, peaking inside the top 20 on the Austrian and Switzerland charts, while reaching number 41 on the
Background and recording
After finishing promotion for
On May 1, 2012, Morissette announced through Facebook she would be making a few big announcements over the next days.[5] The following day Billboard magazine reported Morissette would release her next studio album, Havoc and Bright Lights, on August 28. Billboard also revealed the title of the album's lead single.[1]
Morissette released an official lyric video exclusively through MetroLyrics on May 10.[6] While sharing the lyrics of "Guardian", she wrote: "So excited to share these with you. The greatest offering and aspiration within any relationship, for me, is the willingness to combine protection, commitment, vulnerability, tenacity, tenderness, constancy, empathy, mutuality, intentionality, innocence, presence, courage, freedom-offering and beautiful humanity at the same time. This song speaks to that commitment to both my sweet son, as well as my own inner child".[7]
Composition
"Guardian" was written by Morissette and
Critical reception
The song received positive reviews from most
Robert Copsey from Digital Spy wrote that the track is "a light and airy ode to the husband and son she's accumulated in the last four years and told with a Cheshire Cat-like grin that's almost audible by the final chorus."[15] Jody Rosen from Rolling Stone gave the song 3 out of 5 stars, commenting: "Morissette's warble still has the power to peel shingles off rooftops. It is an oath of fidelity, presumably to a lover, but when she begins yowling the chorus – "I'll be your keeper for life as your guardian" – it sounds like a threat."[16] However, Simon Price of The Independent called it "an American Idol fodder, setting the tone for more tedious MOR."[17]
Chart performance
"Guardian" had moderate impact on the charts. did best in countries where it had the most airplay therefore successful in Austria, the song debuted at number 38, on the Ö3 Austria Top 40, on July 27, 2012.[18] The following week, the song fell to number 40.[18] However, it jumped to number 14, in its third week, on August 10, 2012.[18] Later, it fell to number 25, however, the song climbed to number 17 the following week, then peaked again at number 11 [18] In Switzerland, it was a success, reaching number 12.[18] In Netherlands, the song has slowly risen on the charts.[19] It debuted at number 87 on the Dutch Top 40 chart, on June 30, 2012. Later, the song climbed to number 74 and peaked at number 70 the following week.[19] After falling to numbers 78 and 80, the song moved again to number 78.[19] However, the song kept fluctuating on the chart for the next three weeks, until it reached number 62, its peak position, so far.[19] in Germany it was also successful reaching number 13 on the singles chart.
In Brazil, the song debuted in the lower parts of the chart, but after accumulating airplay for three weeks, peaked at number 31, becoming another top 40 hit for Morissette in that country.
"Guardian" wasn't successful as her others lead-singles in
The song debuted at number 37 on the
Music video
Background
The official music video for "Guardian" premiered on July 27, 2012, on the New Zealand website 'Stuff'.[36] The clip was filmed in Berlin and features the singer dressed as an angel with a pair of large white-feathered wings.[4] "This video is a tip of the hat to Wim Wenders' Wings of Desire - it is the 25th anniversary of the film having been released," Morissette told Spinner magazine.[4] "I think it really shows how the parent/guardian-angel roles are linked," Morissette says. "How, ultimately, a powerful inner parent calls upon spirit to guide her or his choices on the loved one's behalf, whether it is for a child, a friend, or an inner child. This love and this grace is available to everyone."[4]
"The full circle poetry of my having written 'Uninvited' for its remake, combined with my love of the original movie... my love of Germany, having lived there for three years as a child (by the Black Forest), combined most importantly with how this video is such a visual extension of the song 'Guardian,' which is so close to my heart… it was so much fun to make it in Berlin!."[4]
Synopsis
The video begins in monochrome with Morissette writing 'I'll be your keeper for life', and then introduces Morissette overlooking the city of Berlin, with a pair of wings attached to her back. We are provided with glimpses of the city beneath; people walking by; and trains going by; all within the public square of Alexanderplatz. A couple with their teenager daughter begins to argue with each other, and the daughter sits by the Alexanderplatz fountain, watching. The mother then leaves the father, and the daughter is left looking helpless towards the sky. During the chorus, with the video now in color, we see a 'normal' Morissette situated in a white abstract room, playing the guitar and singing amongst her new band members. The video cuts to the city yet again, this time with the 'guardian' Morissette looking down upon a boy who is bullied, and is left looking helpless to the sky. The video then switches back to the 'normal' Morissette during the chorus, and yet again to the city; this time with a man hugging goodbye his wife and newborn. The video concludes with the teenage girl, the bullied child, and the mother, looking towards the sky, with the sense of comfort, realizing they have a 'guardian'. Morissette then walks up towards the camera, pleased, and the video fades out with a smile on her face.[11]
Reception
X. Alexander of
Live performances
Morissette performed "Guardian" on March 21, 2012 (along with another new song, "Spiral") during "Guitar Center Sessions with host
Track listing
- Digital download
- "Guardian" – 4:18
- CD single
- "Guardian" – 4:18
- "Lens" – 4:06
- "Ironic" (Live in Berlin) – 4:03
- "You Oughta Know" (Live in Berlin) – 5:10
Charts and certifications
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
Certifications
|
Radio adds and release history
Region | Date | Format | Label |
---|---|---|---|
United States[1][9] | May 11, 2012 | Radio premiere | Collective Sounds |
May 15, 2012 | Digital download | ||
Canada[62] | May 15, 2012 | Universal Music Group | |
May 15, 2012 | Radio premiere | ||
Germany[63] | June 15, 2012 | Columbia Records | |
Hungary[64] | June 15, 2012 | Sony Music Entertainment
| |
June 18, 2012 | Digital download | ||
Germany[63] | June 27, 2012 | Columbia Records | |
United Kingdom[65] | July 16, 2012 | Radio premiere | |
August 26, 2012 | Digital download |
References
- ^ a b c Gallo, Phil (May 2, 2012). "Alanis Morissette Brings 'Havoc,' Her 7th Album, in August". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
- MTV.com. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
- ^ "Studio News". Sunset Sound Recorders. Archived from the original on February 10, 2012. Retrieved May 16, 2012.
- ^ a b c d e Rowley, Alison (July 28, 2012). "Alanis Morissette debuts 'Guardian' music video". Digital Spy. Retrieved August 29, 2012.
- ^ "woke up this…". Facebook. May 1, 2012. Retrieved May 16, 2012.
- ^ "LYRIC VIDEO PREMIERE: Alanis Morissette's "guardian"". MetroLyrics. CBS Radio. May 10, 2012. Archived from the original on 2013-07-14. Retrieved May 16, 2012.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Here are the lyrics for Alanis' song, "Guardian"". Facebook. May 8, 2012. Retrieved May 16, 2012.
- ^ a b c d e Shelter, Scott. "Listen to Alanis Morissette's new single 'Guardian'". PopCrush.com. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
- ^ a b "Guardian – Single by Alanis Morissette". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved May 15, 2012.
- Consequence of Sound. Retrieved August 29, 2012.
- ^ Idolator. Retrieved August 29, 2012.
- ^ Anderson, Kyle (May 10, 2012). "Alanis Morissette premieres new single 'Guardian': Listen here". Entertainment Weekly. Music Mix. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
- ^ Hoby, Hermione (August 26, 2012). "Alanis Morissette: Havoc and Bright Lights – review". The Observer. Retrieved August 29, 2012.
- ^ Keefe, Jonathan (August 27, 2012). "Alanis Morissette: Havoc and Bright Lights | Music Review | Slant Magazine". Slant Magazine. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
- ^ Copsey, Robert (August 27, 2012). "Alanis Morissette: 'Havoc and Bright Lights' - Album review". Digital Spy. Retrieved August 29, 2012.
- ^ Rosen, Jody (May 22, 2012). "Alanis Morissette "Guardian"". Rolling Stone. Jann Wenner. Archived from the original on July 25, 2012. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
- ^ Price, Simon (August 26, 2012). "Album: Alanis Morisette [sic], Havoc and Bright Lights (Sony)". The Independent. Archived from the original on August 28, 2012. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
- ^ a b c d e "Alanis Morissette - Guardian - austriancharts.at". Austrian Charts. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
- ^ a b c d "Alanis Morissette - Guardian - dutchcharts.nl". Netherlands Charts. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
- Billboard Magazine. Retrieved September 1, 2012.
- ^ "Canada Singles Top 100 (June 2, 2012) - Music Charts". A-Charts.com. Retrieved September 1, 2012.
- ^ "Canada Singles Top 100 (June 9, 2012) - Music Charts". A-Charts.com. Retrieved September 1, 2012.
- ^ "Canada Singles Top 100 (June 23, 2012) - Music Charts". A-Charts.com. Retrieved September 1, 2012.
- ^ "Canada Singles Top 100 (July 7, 2012) - Music Charts". A-Charts.com. Retrieved September 1, 2012.
- ^ "Canada Singles Top 100 (July 14, 2012) - Music Charts". A-Charts.com. Retrieved September 1, 2012.
- ^ "Canada Singles Top 100 (July 21, 2012) - Music Charts". A-Charts.com. Retrieved September 1, 2012.
- ^ "Canada Singles Top 100 (August 18, 2012) - Music Charts". A-Charts.com. Retrieved September 1, 2012.
- ^ "Canada Singles Top 100 (August 25, 2012) - Music Charts". A-Charts.com. Retrieved September 1, 2012.
- ^ "Canada Singles Top 100 (September 1, 2012) - Music Charts". A-Charts.com. Retrieved September 1, 2012.
- ^ "Canada Singles Top 100 (September 15, 2012) - Music Charts". A-Charts.com. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
- Billboard Magazine. May 29, 2012. Archived from the originalon February 2, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2012.
- Billboard Magazine. Retrieved September 1, 2012.
- ^ Billboard.biz. Archived from the originalon August 7, 2012. Retrieved August 7, 2012.
- Billboard Magazine. Retrieved September 1, 2012.
- ^ "Irish Charts - Singles, Albums & Compilations". Irish Recorded Music Association. Archived from the original on August 5, 2012. Retrieved August 7, 2012.
- ^ "Watch: Alanis Morissette's new video". Stuff. July 27, 2012. Retrieved August 29, 2012.
- ^ ""Guitar Center Sessions on DIRECTV". Archived from the original on 2013-04-11. Retrieved 2013-04-10. Guitar Center Sessions with host Nic Harcourt" Retrieved April 10, 2013.
- ]
- ^ "Katy Perry - Tuesday, May 22, 2012". The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Warner Bros. May 22, 2012. Retrieved May 24, 2012.
- ^ "Alanis Morissette – Guardian" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
- ^ "Alanis Morissette – Guardian" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
- Ultratip. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
- ^ "Brasil Hot 100 Airplay". Billboard Brasil (Brasil: bpp) (2): 96. 24 September 2012.
- ^ "Brasil Hot Pop & Popular Songs". Billboard Brasil (Brasil: bpp) (99): 189 June 2012
- ^ "Alanis Morissette Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
- ^ "Alanis Morissette Chart History (Canada AC)". Billboard. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
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- ^ "Alanis Morissette – Guardian" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
- ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Alanis Morissette". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
- Federation of the Italian Music Industry. Archived from the originalon 26 October 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
- ^ "Alanis Morissette Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
- ^ "Tipparade-lijst van week 32, 2012" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
- ^ "Alanis Morissette – Guardian" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
- ^ "SloTop50: Slovenian official singles weekly chart" (in Slovenian). SloTop50. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
- ^ "Alanis Morissette – Guardian". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
- ^ "Alanis Morissette Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
- ^ "Alanis Morissette: Chart History - Rock Digital Song Sales". Billboard. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
- Viacom International Media Networks. Archived from the originalon 6 January 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
- ^ "Classifica annuale 2012 (dal 02.01.2012 al 30.12.2012)" (in Italian). FIMI. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
- ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Alanis Morissette; 'Guardian')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
- ^ "Italian single certifications – Alanis Morissette – Guardian" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved October 2, 2012. Select "Tutti gli anni" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Guardian" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
- Universal Music Canada. Universal Music Group. May 2, 2012. Archived from the originalon July 12, 2012. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
- ^ a b "Alanis Morissette: Neues Album im August bei Sony". Musikmarkt.de. May 15, 2012. Archived from the original on May 16, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
- ^ "Alanis Morissette: "Havoc And Bright Lights"". Life magazin (in Hungarian). May 2, 2012. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
- ^ Stickler, Jon (May 14, 2012). "Alanis Morissette Unveils New Album Artwork & Video For New Single 'Guardian'". Stereoboard.com. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
Fans will be able to purchase the album's first single, 'Guardian,' on 26th August and it will impact to radio on 16th July