Hands clean is a little misleading in the context of this article. The actual meaning of the song is less than obvious, but the song itself does a good job of showcasing Alanis's penchant for writing music.
"Hands clean" is a song written by Alanis Morissette and was released on her 2002 album Under Rug Swept. It was written for a tumultuous time in Morissette's life. She referred to it as her comeback single at the time, and it helped her album go platinum in the US. In addition to the song, her album contains composites of past boyfriends.
This is one of the more interesting songs on the album. The lyrics are dense, with syllables tumbling from the mind's eye. They are surprisingly effective, a feat not so surprising considering that most of the music is self-produced. 'Hands clean' is also the album's title track.
A video of the same song, directed by Francis Lawrence, was released in conjunction with the album. It is the only Alanis Morissette album to feature a music video. The clip features Alanis, along with an ensemble of performers, as well as Masiela Lusha and Chris Sarandon. While the music video is not without its flaws, it is a clear indication of the musical success the singer has achieved.
Overall, it is a revealing look into the mind of a young pop star. Although it is easily overlooked in the flurry of new albums by big names, it is a testament to the talent of the singer.