Top Ten Songs by Fiona Apple
“The way I feel about music is that there is no right and wrong. Only true and false.” -Fiona Apple
There is no way to be sure that Fiona Apple’s words are 100% true, but I think it can be assumed that her words are very real, and certainly true to her.
The music industry is full of one hit wonders and regurgitated ballad melodies ringing like a familiar commercial jingle in complacent ears. Fiona Apple is a true lyricist who strays from the conventional chorus, verse, chorus stigma and communicates poetic words complimented by her unique talent on the piano and the eccentric behavior that tempts to define her. She has disappointed and anointed fans throughout the world, but the fact remains that her music will shine through the manic cluster of confusion she portrays as a person in the spotlight.
Her songs almost always tell a sad story; fans don’t always appreciate this kind of honesty. Her stardom and popularity might be attributed to the X generation’s morbid, self-loathing, rebellious, and grunge style. Her first album, “Tidal” was released in 1996, the peak of an era that mourned Kurt Cobain’s untimely death, embraced Stone Temple Pilot’s drug induced lyrics, and found a way to relate to Marilyn Manson’s anarchist and deviant attitude. For the same reason that talented musicians and artists go unnoticed every day, and talent less teenage pop idols bring screaming and crying fans to their knees, Fiona Apple emerged and became an icon, defining this generation, and inspiring generations to come.
“Tidal” produced the most memorable of her many songs, four of which will imprint history and truly touch every fan who hears them.
1. “Sleep to Dream” is the first track on the “Tidal” Album. It has an angry tone that begins with a heavy base beat that preludes the song’s simple, candid ensemble. Fiona has a way of changing the “heaviness” of her voice, and she deepens her vocal chords throughout every sentence. Like most Love-hate songs she is talking about a man that cannot relent to love or any of the sentiments that she might have felt.
“I tell you how I feel, but you don’t care.
I say tell me the truth, but you don’t dare.
You say love is a hell you cannot bare.
And I say gimme mine back and then go there – for all I care.”
She carries this ‘I don’t care if you don’t care’ attitude throughout the entire duration of the track, and sets off on a subtle, light bridge that illustrates the ideal way to look at a relationship that isn’t mutually beneficialâÂ?¦To just let it go.
“Dont make it a big deal, don’t be so sensitive.
Were not playing a game anymore, you don’t have to be so defensive.”
Then, brings it right back down to the angry quality that so comfortably defines her
“Dont you plead me your case, don’t bother to explain.
Dont even show me your face, cuz it’s a crying shame.
Just go back to the rock from under which you came.
Take the sorrow you gave and all the stakes you claim –
And don’t forget the blame.”
2. “Sullen Girl” is a very personal track, the second track on the album only by coincidence.
It describes her slow and quiet demise into depression through what she describes as a man who
“Nut he washed me shore
and he took my pearl
and left an empty
Shell of me”
This song alludes to her problems and issues as a child. At only the tender age of 12 she was raped; at this time she began to display obsessive compulsive tendencies and also started to plan a suicide.
Though it’s motivation grim, It’s a sort of lullaby, very light on words (abnormal for our girl Fiona) and brings a quite sense of tranquil to the listener with the
Caribbean
bongos in the background and lack of instrumental variety.
3. “Never is a Promise” is one of the last songs on the Tidal Album, and it is probably one of the more popular songs. Its “true” meaning remains a mystery, but it can be interpreted in many different ways. As it describes the distance between two people, the lack of communication and how difficult it is to understand people who are so drastically dissimilar from you.
“You’ll never touch – these things that I hold
The skin of my emotions lies beneath my own
You’ll never feel the heat of this soul
My fever burns me deeper than I’ve ever shown – to you”
It also describes the moment when you finally start to see someone for who they really are, and come to terms with the fact that it might not be what you wanted, expected, or could ever truly love.
“But as the scenery grows, I see in different lights
the shades and shadows undulate in my perception
my feelings swell and stretch; I see from greater heights
I understand what I am still too proud to mention – to you”
4. “The First Taste” illustrates a sweeter more sensitive side to Fiona, as it describes the growing tension between two people who are attracted to each other. Anticipating that first moment when things might get intimate.
“I lie in an early bed
thinking late thoughts
waiting for the black
to replace my blue
I do not struggle
in your web
because it was my
Aim to get caught
but daddy longlegs
I feel that I’m finally
growing weary
of waiting to be
consumed by you
Give me the first tasteâÂ?¦”
It creates a cool, calm mood, with a jazz drum beat in the background and a steady rhythm, complimented by Fiona’s soprano vocal tone.
Fiona Apple holds the record for Longest Album name with what is often shorted to “When the Pawn HitsâÂ?¦”
Also her second album recorded, the full name is 90 words long,
“When The Pawn Hits The Conflicts He Thinks Like A King What He Knows Throws The Blows When He Goes To The Fight And He’ll Win The Whole Thing `Fore He Enters The Ring There’s No Body To Batter When Your Mind Is Your Might So When You Go Solo, You Hold Your Own Hand And Remember That Depth Is The Greatest Of Heights And If You Know Where You Stand, Then You Know Where To Land And If You Fall It Won’t Matter, Cuz You’ll Know That You’re Right”
5. “Limp” is the third track on the album, and it varies in speed and tone similar to her mainstream single from this track,” Fast as you Can.” It begins with peculiar bubble and drum sounds, and Fiona starts singing slowly and sporadically. One of the more visual and disturbing tracks, the song’s first lines are,
“You wanna make me sick; You wanna lick my wounds, Don’t you, baby?”
Talking about someone who enjoys helping her up when she’s down, so much that they’ll push her back down just to be able to help her up again.
6. “Paper Bag” is my personal favorite song by Fiona Apple. If Etta James heard the song, she might mistake it for a blues hit back in 1932. It’s fluid and exciting, and displays an innocent quality to Fiona,
“I was staring at the sky Just looking for a star To prey on, or wish on Or something like that”
Its lyrics are a sweet spin on giving up on a man who will never reciprocate your feelings for him.
Last, but not least�
“Extraordinary Machine” is her long anticipated, latest album. Put on hold by her conflicting artistic vision with the producer, Jon Brion,, its long awaited release has just recently come. Produced by Mike Elizondo, this is the first album to portray a more playful, excited, fun Fiona Apple. The single for the album, and first track entitled
7. “Extraordinary Machine” has a bouncy, slow kind of feel to it, while she portrays her feelings about taking so long to release this album, and her new and improved look at life,
“I noticed that my opponent is always on the go
And won’t go slow so as not to focus and I notice
He’ll hitch a ride with any guide as long as they go fast from whence he came
But he’s no good at being uncomfortable so he can’t stop staying exactly the same”
The chorus is equal in “bouncy-ness” and exemplifies her honest, simple character, as just someone trying to make her life work without complications,
“If there was a better way to go then it would find me
I can’t help it the road just rolls out behind me
Be kind to me or treat me mean
I make the most of it I’m an extraordinary machine”
8. “Not about Love” is track eleven on the CD, and truly goes above and beyond the normal verse-chorus formula that most records try so hard to master. It’s hard to keep up with the speed of each new verse, and all of a sudden a burst of emotion and catchy drum beat release the song’s incredible potential; it is sure to follow “extraordinary machine” in its popularity. The lyrics bring you back to the Fiona we all know in love with unique metaphors and creative wordageâÂ?¦
“Conversation once colored by esteem
Became dialogue as a diagram of a play for blood
Took a vacation, my palate got clean
Now I can taste your agenda
While you’re spitting your cut”
9. “Get him back” screams like an anthem for every person who wants to show their x-partner what they’re missing. With fun and simple lyrics you get a glimpse of Fiona’s life during the long period of time that she spent out of the studio.
“How many times do I have to say
To get away-get gone
Flip your sh*t past another lasses
Humble dwelling
You got your game, made your shot, and you got away
With a lot, but I’m not turned-on
So put away that meat you’re selling
Cuz I do know what’s good for me-
And I’ve done what I could for you
But you’re not benefiting, and yet I’m sitting
Singing again, sing, sing again”
10. “O’ Sailor” is a more elusive track that might take a few listens to realize its genius. The closest to a ballad that will come of this album, it is pleasant to listen to plays like an effortless beauty. Timeless lyrics, and poetic verses truly put the listener in another world.
“O’ Sailor, why’d you do it
What’d you do that for
Saying there’s nothing to it
And then letting it go by the boards”
Fiona Apple puts hope in a world where artists who lack a true voice, hire writers to tell the story of their life, and are too lazy & uninspired to learn an instrument. It’s a shame her lyrics are overlooked by the negative media surrounding her enigmatic being; but buy the CD, listen to the music, and I dare you to be unaffected.
