"You Oughta Know" was co-written by Morissette and Ballard. Morissette stated that she wrote the song from her "subconscious": "I wasn't aware of what was coming out of me. I'd go into the booth when the ink wasn't even dry and sing. I'd listen the next day and not really remember it." The song demo was recorded on November 28th, 1994, and additional vocals were recorded on November 30th. Initial rhythm recording began with Los Angeles engineer Chris Fogel on December 1st, 1994. Matt Laug played drums and Lance Morrison played bass. On December 5th, Benmont Tench of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers recorded Hammond organ. Additional guitars were recorded on December 9th.