Born in Manhattan, New York, United States, Apple made her break into the music industry when a friend, who babysat for a record executive, handed her employer a demo. Apple's husky voice, nimble piano skills, and mature lyrics got the attention of Sony executive Andy Slater, who signed her to a record deal.
In 1996, Apple's debut album Tidal was released by a subsidiary of Sony. The album went on to sell 3 million copies (certified triple platinum) domestically.
"Criminal," the fourth single from Tidal, became Apple's breakthrough hit. The song garnered a great deal of attention, in part for its suggestive lyrics ("I've been a bad, bad girl...") but also for the controversial music video, directed by Mark Romanek. The video featured a waifish, half-dressed Apple surrounded by the aftermath of a party, including unconscious party-goers. The video received heavy rotation on VH-1 and MTV and gained the singer immediate notoriety. Years later, Apple said, "I wasn't (comfortable). And you can see that in the video. It's not sexy. It's disturbing."
Other singles from Tidal included "Sleep to Dream," "Shadowboxer," "Never is a Promise," and "The First Taste."
In 1998, she contributed two tracks to the Pleasantville soundtrack, "Please Send Me Someone to Love" and a cover of the Beatles hit "Across the Universe".
In 1999, Apple's second album was released with the name "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" but it has just been commonly called "When the Pawn..." This album released the singles "Fast As You Can," "Limp," and "Paper Bag."
A third album, Extraordinary Machine, which was produced by Jon Brion, was submitted to Sony executives in May 2003. Sony was reportedly unenthusiastic about the finished product, and the project was shelved for over two years. In 2004 and 2005, tracks were leaked on the Internet in MP3 format and played on U.S. and international radio; subsequently, MP3s of the entire album believed produced by Brion (although he later claimed the leaked tracks were "tweaked" beyond his own work), went online. Although a website distributing the album was quickly taken offline via the DMCA copyright law, they soon reached P2P networks and were downloaded by fans.
In August 2005, the album was given a release date of October. Production had been completed by Mike Elizondo (though known for his work with hip-hop artists such as Dr. Dre, he had previously played bass for Apple on Pawn) and co-produced by electronica experimentalist Brian Kehew. Spin Magazine later reported: "Fans erroneously thought that Apple's record label, Epic, had rejected the first version of Extraordinary Machine... in reality, according to Elizondo, Apple was unhappy with the results, and it was her decision to redo the record, not her label's." Two of the eleven previous leaked tracks were relatively unchanged, nine were completely retooled, and one new song was also included. According to Elizondo, "Everything was done from scratch." Upon its release, the album became the highest-charting album of Apple's career (debuting at number seven), and before the end of 2005 had sold more than 300,000 copies in the United States alone.
It was revealed in late 2005 that Sony was initially unhappy with the work, and Apple and Brion sought to rework the album. Sony made caveats on the process, to which Apple balked. After a long period of waiting, she began an attempt to rework the album with close friend Kehew (also a friend and former roommate of Jon Brion). Elizondo was brought back as co-producer to complete the tracks he had begun with Brion and Apple. Despite suggestions that the album had caused a rift between Brion and Apple, they regularly perform together at Largo, a club in Los Angeles, including a joint appearance with Elizondo on bass just before the news broke of an official release. Apple went on a live tour to support the album in late 2005, and from early 2006 supported Coldplay on their tour of North America. The album has yielded four singles: "Parting Gift," "O' Sailor," "Not About Love," and "Get Him Back."
In 2006, a special edition version of "Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas" was released, with Fiona Apple contributing a version of "Sally's Song."
In January 2010, Fiona Apple and Jon Brion performed together at "Love and Haiti, Too: A Music Benefit", a charity concert for the people hurt by the Haiti Earthquake. Fiona sang a cover of "(S)he's Funny That Way", composed by Neil Moret, with lyrics by Richard Whiting, which is often associated with the singer Billie Holiday.
In June 2010, Fiona released a song titled "So Sleepy" produced by Jon Brion written by children involved with the non-profit organization 826LA. The song will be included in a compilation album released by the organization titled Chickens in Love. She also collaborated with Margaret Cho on Cho's album Cho Dependent.
The Every Single Night Songfacts reports that Apple began recording new material for her fourth album The Idler Wheel… in the late 2000s, keeping her sessions secret, even from her label, Epic Records. She opted to produce the album with her touring drummer, Charley Drayton, rather than her longtime collaborator Jon Brion. Executives at Epic only discovered that Apple had recorded an album in early 2012 when she presented it to them. It was released on June 19, 2012, to success, debuting at number three on the Billboard 200. The album sold 72,000 copies in the first week and was nominated for Best Alternative Album at the 2013 Grammy Awards. In 2020, the album was placed at number 213 on the list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time by Rolling Stone.
In 2020, Apple's fifth studio album, "Fetch the Bolt Cutters", was released to universal acclaim. The artist earned two Grammy Awards for the album: Best Alternative Music Album and Best Rock Performance for the lead single "Shameika."
Anything We Want
Fiona Apple Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My fan was folded up and grazing my forehead
And I kept touching my neck
To guide your eye to where I wanted you to kiss me when we find some time alone
My scars were reflecting the mist in your headlights
I looked like a neon zebra shaking rain off her stripes
And the rivulets had you riveted
And then we can do anything we want
And then we can do anything we want
And then we can do anything we want
We started out sipping the water
And now we try to swallow the wave
And we try not to let those bastards get us down
We don't worry anymore 'cause we know when the gulf comes we get brave
After all, look around
It's happening, it's happening, it's happenin' now
Let's pretend we're eight years old playing hookey
I'll draw on the wall and you can play U-F-C rookie
Then we'll grow up
Take our clothes off
And you remind me that I wanted you to kiss me when we find some time alone
And then we can do anything we want
And then we can do anything we want
And then we can do anything we want
And then we can do anything we want
The lyrics of Fiona Apple's song "Anything We Want" are a vivid description of a romantic encounter between two people. In the first verse, the singer describes herself in a sensual way, hoping to guide her lover to the places she wants to be kissed. She mentions her cheeks reflecting the longest wavelength, which might suggest a heightened emotional state or a feeling of warmth. Similarly, the fan grazing her forehead and the constant touching of her neck might indicate a need for cooling down or a desire for intimacy. The scars on her body, on the other hand, reflect the mist in the headlights, creating a beautiful but eerie image that contrasts with the sensual tone of the song. The singer is aware of her lover's fascination with her scars and uses this knowledge to manipulate his attention and desire.
In the second verse, the mood shifts from sensual to playful as the singer suggests they pretend they're eight years old and play hooky. This could be interpreted as a desire to escape the pressures and responsibilities of adult life or as a way of rekindling the innocence and spontaneity of childhood. The reference to drawing on the wall and playing UFC rookie might be a way of expressing their rebellious spirit and the desire to break rules. Finally, the song ends with a declaration of freedom and possibility. The two lovers can do anything they want, and they are brave enough to face whatever comes their way. It's a hopeful and empowering message that suggests a deep love and trust between them.
Line by Line Meaning
My cheeks were reflecting the longest wavelength
My blushing cheeks were radiating my intense desire for you
My fan was folded up and grazing my forehead
I was intensely hot and flustered with anticipation
And I kept touching my neck, to guide your eye to where I wanted you to kiss me when we find some time alone
I was subtly showing you where I wanted to be touched and kissed
My scars were reflecting the mist in your headlights
My past traumas were visible and affecting me, even in the present
I looked like a neon zebra shaking rain off her stripes
I was standing out and attracting attention, trying to be noticed
And the rivulets had you riveted, to the places that I wanted you to kiss me when we find some time alone
You were fixated on me and my desires, making it clear where I wanted to be kissed
And then we can do anything we want
We have the freedom to do whatever we desire
We started out sipping the water
We began our journey in a simple, innocent way
And now we try to swallow the wave
Now we're taking on bigger challenges and risks
And we try not to let those bastards get us down
We refuse to be held back or discouraged by negative influences
We don't worry anymore 'cause we know when the gulf comes we get brave
We've faced adversity before and we know we have the strength to overcome it
After all, look around, it's happening, it's happening, it's happening now
The changes and opportunities we've been waiting for are here, and we need to seize them
Let's pretend we're eight years old playing hookey
Let's forget our adult problems and responsibilities and act like carefree kids
I'll draw on the wall and you can play U-F-C rookie
Let's be creative and imaginative in our playfulness
Then we'll grow up, take our clothes off, and you remind me that I wanted you to kiss me when we find some time alone
We'll mature and become intimate, fulfilling our desires that we previously expressed
And then we can do anything we want
We have total freedom to explore our desires and fantasies
And then we can do anything we want
We can continue to pursue our desires without any limitations
And then we can do anything we want
Our possibilities are endless, and we should take advantage of that
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Fiona Apple Maggart
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Limits98
Lyrics
My cheeks were reflecting
The longest wavelength
My fan was folded up
And grazing my forehead
And I kept touching my neck
To guide your eye to where
I wanted you to kiss me
When we find some time alone
My scars were reflecting
The mist in your headlights
I look like a neon zebra
Shaking rain off her stripes
And the rivulets had you
Riveted to the places that
I wanted you to kiss me
When we find some time alone
And then we can do
Anything we want
And then we can do
Anything we want
And then we can do
Anything we want
Started out sipping the water
And now we try
To swallow the wave
And we try not to let
Those bastards get us down
We don't worry anymore
Cause we know when the
Guff comes we get brave
After all,
Look around,
It's happening,
It's happening,
It's happening now
Let's pretend we're eight
Years old playing hooky
I draw on the wall and
You can play UFC rookie
Then we'll grow up,
Take our clothes off and
You remind me that
I wanted you to kiss me
When we find some time alone
And then we can do
Anything we want
And then we can do
Anything we want
And then we can do
Anything we want
And then we can do
Anything we want
max gorov
My cheeks were reflecting the longest wavelength
My fan was folded up and grazing my forehead
And I kept touching my neck
To guide your eye to where I wanted you to kiss me when we find some time alone.
My scars were reflecting the mist in your headlights
I looked like a neon zebra shaking rain off her stripes
And the rivulets had you riveted to the places that I wanted you to kiss me when we find some time alone
And then we can do anything we want
And then we can do anything we want
And then we can do anything we want
We started out sipping the water
And now we try to swallow the wave
And we try not to let those bastards get us down
We don't worry anymore cause we know when the guff comes we get brave
After all, look around
It's happening, it's happening, it's happening now
Let's pretend we're eight years old playing hookey
I'll draw on the wall and you can play UFC rookie
Then we'll grow up
Take our clothes off
And you remind me that I wanted you to kiss me when we find some time alone
And then we can do anything we want
And then we can do anything we want
And then we can do anything we want
And then we can do anything we want
Matthew Rorie
It took me forever to realize what "my cheeks were reflecting the longest wavelength" was referring to. The longest visible wavelength is red; her cheeks are red; she's blushing. What an amazing way to state it, though! I love this song, and this album.
Zayden Luciano
Pro trick : you can watch movies at kaldroStream. Been using it for watching all kinds of movies these days.
Shawn Mason
@Zayden Luciano definitely, been using KaldroStream for years myself :)
Noel D
We are lucky to have Fiona's genius during our lifetime(s). Future generations will put her in a well deserved place of Honor as a musician and poet.
myrighteye
"My scars were reflecting the mist in your headlights. I looked like a neon zebra shaking rain off her stripes..." she is a true genius at painting a picture with her words...my favorite track from "the idler wheel"...
Keeper
Is it still your favourite track from the idler wheel, mrrighteye?
Josh Aguilar
ok, im not even into this type of music, but i saw her on Jimmy Fallon, and her lyrics struck a chord in me cause i was like, "she's a freakin genius!" the imagery in the words are golden..
Dear Prudence
Does anyone else get goosebumps at the "It's happening, happening now" part?
Keeper
Do you still get goosebumps, Prudence?
shtwrek
i do