| "Precious Illusions" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Alanis Morissette | ||||
| from the album Under Rug Swept | ||||
| B-side |
| |||
| Released | May 20, 2002 | |||
| Length |
| |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) | Alanis Morissette | |||
| Producer(s) | Alanis Morissette | |||
| Alanis Morissette singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Precious Illusions" on YouTube | ||||
"Precious Illusions" is a song written, performed, and produced by Canadian singer Alanis Morissette for her fifth studio album, Under Rug Swept (2002). It released as the album's second and final international single on May 20, 2002. Its lyrics describe a conflict between idealism and realism, and its protagonist refers to her childhood fancies as "precious illusions" that she has distanced herself from with a feeling that reminds her of "parting with an imaginary friend".
"Precious Illusions" did not receive as much radio airplay in the United States as "Hands Clean", the first single from Under Rug Swept. It peaked within the top 20 on Billboard's Adult Top 40 chart but garnered little Top 40 radio play compared to "Hands Clean" and failed to chart on the US Billboard Hot 100. However, it reached number four in Canada and peaked within the top 10 in Hungary. The music video for the song is presented in split screen, offering a side-by-side comparison of the mythic and the real versions of a romantic relationship.