Shoosh January 3rd, 2008 12:14PM  
I have two conflicting interpretations of this song: 1) It is a reflection on a May/December relationship from the [older] man's point of view, or 2) It is a reflection of the artist's personal experience, with Alanis herself as the "older woman" narrator.

Much of the language in the lyrics indicates a man addressing a woman in a condescending fashion (i.e. "you're such a pretty thing when you're done up properly" and "I might want to marry you one day if you watch that weight and keep your firm body"). Perhaps at some point Alanis had been involved in this situation with an older man who was both a role model and a lover. From this perspective, Alanis is assuming the role of the older man and using sarcasm to express her bitterness over the relationship.

However, I could also see this as a situation where Alanis is the "older woman" addressing her younger, subordinate partner. The narrator relishes the power of being a woman worshipped by a younger man, and has fun with the role reversal by mockingly addressing her boyfriend as a "pretty young thing." The exagerrated pompous and presumptuous overtones ("you're essentially an employee and I like you having to depend on me" and "if it weren't for me you would never have amounted to very much") make me think that perhaps she's poking a little harmless fun at this relationship and even at herself.

Or, I could be way the hell off on both accounts, who knows. LOL

anonymous August 23rd, 2009 11:14PM  
well it's about her getting involved with a guy that's like.... waaaay older. and it's about how she loved him but he wanted to move on. the lyrics "this could get messy" is saying that the whole situation could blow up and he could get in biiiig trouble. also the lyrics "We'll fast forward to a few years later, And no one knows except the both of us, And I have honored your request for silence, And you've washed your hands clean of this" saying that he moved on but she hasn't. she wants to tell someone but she loves him so much she is "honoring his request for silence" also in parts it talk about him saying things like "I would marry you if you watched your weight" or something like that. there are little comments like that throughout the song. she was saying that he really didn't love her and he only really liked her appearance and such. that he would only love her if she looked 'acceptable' in the end i don't think she gets over him exactly. but i guess it makes her feel better to let out her feelings in a song. she kind of didn't keep his request for silence.. .sorta... she never told what the name of the guy was. but if i was him i'd feel pretty stupid. you left a pretty girl who makes millions. oh well. :)

anonymous December 13th, 2009 02:32AM  
these are all the things her 29 yearold boyfriend said to her when she was 14. it's like all his quotes and all the things he told her. it's really powerful once you get what it's about. it can easily be misinterpreted as her being the older one, but she isn't.