Alice (Avril Lavigne song) Facts for Kids

"Alice" is a song written and performed by the Canadian singer Avril Lavigne. It was created for Almost Alice, which is the soundtrack album for the 2010 movie Alice in Wonderland. An even longer version of the song was later included as a hidden track on Avril Lavigne's fourth album, Goodbye Lullaby (2011).

The song is a medium-paced ballad (a slow, emotional song). It's sung from the point of view of the movie's main character, Alice. Avril Lavigne wrote the song after asking the people at Disney and the film's director, Tim Burton, if she could create a song for the movie. The song was produced by Butch Walker and mixed by Avril's former husband, Deryck Whibley.

How the Song Was Made
Song Style and Awards
- Awards and Recognition
Music Video
- Making the Video
- What Happens in the Video
Song Versions
Chart Success
See also

How the Song Was Made

In January 2010, Avril Lavigne was at a meeting at the Disney offices. She was looking at clothing designs inspired by Alice in Wonderland for her fashion line, Abbey Dawn. During the meeting, she mentioned to the Disney team that she was working on new music for her own album. She also said she would love to write a song for the Alice in Wonderland movie soundtrack.

Avril's manager then talked with the film's producers. The director, Tim Burton, agreed to let Avril write the song. Avril said that as soon as she got off the phone, she sat down at her piano at home and wrote the song right away. She felt very inspired because she had been designing clothes for the movie. This meant she had all the movie's images in her mind. She played the song for Tim Burton, who later called her to say he loved it. He confirmed the song would be used in the film.

On his radio show, On Air with Ryan Seacrest, Ryan Seacrest called Avril's story a "great lesson." He told his listeners that you should always ask for what you want. He said, "You gotta go for it, because if you didn't ask for it, then you wouldn't have gotten [the opportunity]."

"Alice" was first played on Ryan Seacrest's radio show on January 27, 2010. Avril Lavigne surprised everyone by visiting the studio that day. Avril described the song as different from her earlier music. She said it was "a little darker."

The song was played during the end credits of the Alice in Wonderland movie. It sold 45,000 copies in its first four weeks. Avril Lavigne performed "Alice" on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on March 3, 2010.

Song Style and Awards

"Alice" is a rock song with a steady beat. It features Avril Lavigne's singing, along with guitar and piano.

Awards and Recognition

"Alice" was nominated for and won several awards. In 2011, it won the award for "Best Video From a Film" at the MTV Video Music Awards Japan. It was also nominated for "Best Karaokee! Song" at the same awards. In 2010, the song was nominated for "Favorite Song" at the Nickelodeon Mexico Kids' Choice Awards. It was also nominated for "Best Original Song" at the Satellite Awards.

Music Video

Making the Video

Avril Lavigne filmed the music video for "Alice" on January 26 and 27, 2010. The video was directed by Dave Meyers. Parts of it were filmed at the Los Angeles Arboretum. Dave Meyers worked closely with Avril to create the video. He wanted to show the "haunting quality" of the song and give it a dark, gothic feel. Avril wanted to include scenes of her playing the piano. This was to show how important the piano is to the song. The video also includes many clips from Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland movie.

The music video was first shown online on February 17, 2010.

What Happens in the Video

Lavigne sings while sitting at the Mad Hatter's tea party, her "echo" appearing in the corner.

The music video starts with Avril Lavigne following a White Rabbit into a forest. As the piano music begins, the video quickly shows Avril's hands playing the piano keys. Then, it goes back to Avril's character, who trips and falls into a deep hole near a large tree. As she falls, the video quickly shows clips of Alice from the movie falling and hitting things, including a piano. When Avril opens her eyes, she is at the bottom of the hole. She is wearing a black gothic corset dress and stockings with playing card suits on them.

When Avril climbs out of the hole, she sees a caterpillar crawling by. She finds herself in Wonderland. The song's main part (the chorus) begins. The video switches between Avril running through the forest and Avril singing and playing the piano. The only Wonderland character seen at this point is a quick glimpse of the Cheshire Cat.

She then arrives at a tea party. The Mad Hatter (played by Johnny Depp) stands up and welcomes her. This scene is mixed with clips of the Mad Hatter from Tim Burton's movie. As Avril sits down and sings, her voice seems to "echo." This is shown by her face quickly appearing and disappearing. As the song's verse ends, Avril stands up and runs away from the tea party. The chorus of the song returns to shots of Avril running through the forest. She arrives at a piano surrounded by giant mushrooms. The video switches between Avril playing the piano and singing. Then, it shows her running through a misty group of bamboo trees. Different scenes from the movie are shown one after another. Finally, Avril is seen running towards an opening in the forest. As she leaves the forest, she is dressed in her normal clothes again.

Song Versions

Digital download

"Alice" – 3:34

CD single

"Alice" – 3:34
"Welcome to Mystery" (Performed by Plain White T's) – 4:27

Chart Success

The song "Alice" was popular in many countries around the world. It reached number 4 on the Japan Hot 100 chart and number 6 on the South Korea Gaon International Chart. It also appeared on charts in Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, and the United States, where it reached number 71 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. In Japan, "Alice" was certified Gold, meaning it sold a lot of copies there.

Alice (Avril Lavigne song) facts for kids

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