☝️ Key Points
- The singer feels flattered by the fascination of another person, but at the same time feels harassed and sets strict boundaries.
- She is both fascinated and uncertain of the situation, and observes how the other people interact.
- She is aware that she is uncharted territory for the other person and feels uncomfortable with how this person describes their love.
- Although she feels overwhelmed, she does not consider the other person unworthy, but needs time to think.
- The song is a clear but gently expressed rejection of unwanted affection and attention.
Interpretation
'Uninvited' by
Alanis Morissette is a song about the feelings and thoughts that arise when someone shows unwanted attention or affection. The singer feels flattered, but at the same time uncomfortable and harassed.
In the opening lines of the song, 'Like anyone would be, I am flattered by your fascination with me', she makes it clear that, like anyone else, she is flattered by someone else's fascination with her. However, she also makes it clear that this person is not allowed to cross her feelings and thoughts, as expressed in the lines 'But you, you're not allowed, You're uninvited, An unfortunate slight'.
Throughout the song, she shows that she is both fascinated and uncertain about the situation ('Must be strangely exciting, To watch the stoic squirm'). She finds it touching to see the 'shepherd' meet the other 'shepherd' ('Must be somewhat heartening, To watch shepherd meet shepherd').
In the following lines, 'Like any uncharted territory, I must seem greatly intriguing, You speak of my love like, You have experienced love like mine before', she shows that she is aware that she is uncharted territory for the other person and that they describe her love as if they have experienced a love like hers before.
At the end of the song, she emphasizes once again that she is overwhelmed by the situation and needs time to deliberate ('I don't think you unworthy, I need a moment to deliberate'). She does not consider the other person unworthy, but needs time to think. The song is a clear rejection, but delivered in a gentle and reflective way.