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."
Not About Love
Fiona Apple Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Already are
Drawing deep breaths past my door
And last night's phrases
Sick with lack of basis
Are still writhing on my floor
And it doesn't seem fair
That your wicked words should work in holding me down
It doesn't seem right
To take information
Given at close range
For the gag and the bind
And the ammunition round
A conversation, once colored by esteem
Became diologue
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 cud
And it doesn't make sense
I should fall for the kingcraft of a meritless crown
It doesn't seem right
To take information
Given at close range
For the gag and the bind
And the ammunition round
This is not about love
'Cause I am not in love
In fact, I can't stop falling out
This is not about love
'Cause I am not in love
In fact, I can't stop falling out
I miss that stupid ache
"What is this posture I have to stare at?"
That's what he said
When I was sitting up straight
Changed the name of the game 'cause he lost it
He knew he was wrong
But he knew it too late
But I'm not being fair
'Cause I chose to listen to that filthy mouth
But I'd like to choose right
Take all the things that I said that he stole
Put 'em in a sack, swing 'em over my shoulder
Turn on my heels, step out of his sight
Try to live in a lovelier light
This is not about love
'Cause I am not in love
In fact, I can't stop falling out
This is not about love
'Cause I am not in love
In fact, I can't stop falling out
I miss that stupid ache
The lyrics in Fiona Apple's "Not About Love" describe a tumultuous relationship that has turned sour. The early cars outside the door indicate the passing of time, but the past lingers on in the form of phrases and words that still writhe on the floor. The singer expresses frustration and unfairness about being held down by her lover's words, which seem to bind and gag her. She realizes that the dialogue has turned to a play for blood, with the lover's true intentions becoming apparent as she can now taste his agenda. Despite all of this, the singer misses the "stupid ache" of being in love, indicating that she has fallen out of love and is struggling to move on from the relationship.
The song delves deep into the muddled emotions of a failing relationship, with vivid imagery and raw emotions. The lyrics describe the pain and frustration of being held down and gagged by words and wicked intentions, making it clear that this is not an ordinary love song. Rather, it's a complex exploration of the nature of love and how it can turn into something painful and ugly.
Line by Line Meaning
The early cars
The world outside is moving on, but the singer is stuck in a state of emotional pain.
Already are
The singer has been unable to keep up with time since they are in this emotional state.
Drawing deep breaths past my door
The singer is constantly reminded of the world moving forward by hearing sounds of cars driving by their door.
And last night's phrases
The pain from the previous night's argument lingers.
Sick with lack of basis
The previous night's argument had no real substance to it but caused real harm.
Are still writhing on my floor
The singer is still grappling with the effects of the argument and the way it has affected them.
And it doesn't seem fair
The singer feels wronged by the other person's words and actions.
That your wicked words should work in holding me down
The other person's hurtful words are causing the artist to feel trapped and unable to move on from the situation.
It doesn't seem right
The artist is questioning the morality of the situation.
To take information
It's wrong to use information that was shared with someone with the understanding that it would be kept confidential for personal gain.
Given at close range
The information shared was intended to be kept private and was meant for the other person's ears alone.
For the gag and the bind
The other person is using the information they received to control the artist and prevent them from moving on.
And the ammunition round
The information shared has been weaponized against the singer.
A conversation, once colored by esteem
The relationship between the singer and the other person was once respectful and courteous.
Became diologue
The relationship has devolved into a series of arguments and confrontations.
As a diagram of a play for blood
The other person is using the argument to hurt the artist for their own personal gain.
Took a vacation; my palate got clean
The artist is taking a break from the argument and is starting to see the other person's actions more clearly.
Now I can taste your agenda
The other person's hidden motives and intentions are becoming more apparent to the singer.
While you're spitting your cud
The other person is repeating meaningless and empty words and arguments.
It doesn't make sense
The artist is confused by the situation and the other person's actions.
I should fall for the kingcraft of a meritless crown
The artist is realizing that putting trust into someone who is not deserving can lead to negative outcomes.
But I'd like to choose right
The artist knows that they have the power to make a better decision.
Take all the things that I said that he stole
The singer is realizing that the other person took credit for some of the singer's ideas or statements.
Put 'em in a sack, swing 'em over my shoulder
The artist is metaphorically taking back ownership of what was stolen from them.
Turn on my heels, step out of his sight
The singer is leaving the situation and moving on from the other person.
Try to live in a lovelier light
The singer hopes to find peace and happiness after moving on and leaving the negativity behind.
This is not about love
The singer is realizing that their connection to the other person was not love, but rather something else.
Cause I am not in love
The artist no longer feels a romantic connection to the other person.
In fact, I can't stop falling out
The artist is struggling to move on from the other person and the pain they caused.
I miss that stupid ache
The singer is feeling nostalgic for the pain despite their efforts to move on.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: FIONA APPLE MAGGART
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kacanghijau166
Lyric
The early cars
Already are
Drawing deep breaths past my door
And last night's phrases
Sick with lack of basis
Are still writhing on my floor
And it doesn't seem fair
That your wicked words should work in holding me down
It doesn't seem right
To take information
Given at close range
For the gag and the bind
And the ammunition round
A 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 cud
And it doesn't make sense
I should fall for the kingcraft of a meritless crown
It doesn't seem right
To take information
Given at close range
For the gag and the bind
And the ammunition round
This is not about love
'Cause I am not in love
In fact, I can't stop falling out
This is not about love
'Cause I am not in love
In fact, I can't stop falling out
I miss that stupid ache
"What is this posture I have to stare at?"
That's what he said
When I was sitting up straight
Changed the name of the game 'cause he lost it
He knew he was wrong
But he knew it too late
But I'm not being fair
'Cause I chose to listen to that filthy mouth
But I'd like to choose right
Take all the things that I said that he stole
Put 'em in a sack, swing 'em over my shoulder
Turn on my heels, step out of his sight
Try to live in a lovelier light
This is not about love
'Cause I am not in love
In fact, I can't stop falling out
This is not about love
'Cause I am not in love
In fact, I can't stop falling out
I miss that stupid ache
@nataliasalinas4135
"Not About Love"
The early cars
Already are
Drawing deep breaths past my door
And last night's phrases
Sick with lack of basis
Are still writhing on my floor
And it doesn't seem fair
That your wicked words should work
In holding me down
No, it doesn't seem right
To take information
Given at close range
For the gag
And the bind
And the ammunition round
Conversation once colored by esteem
Became duologue as a diagram of a play for blood
Took a vacation, my palate got clean
Now I could taste your agenda
While you're spitting your cud
And it doesn't make sense
I should fall for the kingcraft of a meritless crown
No, it doesn't seem right
To take information
Given at close range
For the gag
And the bind
And the ammunition round
This is not about love
'Cause I am not in love
In fact I can't stop falling out
This is not about love
'Cause I am not in love
In fact I can't stop falling out
I miss that stupid ache
What is this posture
I have to stare at
That's what he said when I'm sittin' up straight
Change the name of the game 'cause he lost
And he knew he was wrong but he knew it too late
But I'm not being fair
'Cause I chose to listen to that filthy mouth
But I'd like to choose right
Take all the things that I've said that he stole
Put 'em in a sack
Swing 'em over my shoulder
Turn on my heels
Step out of this sight
Try to live in a lovelier light
This is not about love
'Cause I am not in love
In fact I cant stop falling out
This is not about love
'Cause I am not in love
In fact i cant stop falling out
I miss that stupid ache
@jacobstinnett8383
The Lyrics:
The early cars
Already are
Drawing deep breaths past my door
And last night's phrases
Sick with lack of basis
Are still writhing on my floor
And it doesn't seem fair
That your wicked words should work
In holding me down
It doesn't seem right
To take information
Given at close range
For the gag
And the bind
And the ammunition round
A conversation once colored by esteem
Became dialogue as a diagram of a play for blood
Took a vacation, my palate got clean
Now I could taste your agenda
While you're spitting your cud
And it doesn't make sense
I should fall for the kingcraft of a meritless crown
It doesn't seem right
To take information
Given at close range
For the gag
And the bind
And the ammunition round
This is not about love
'Cause I am not in love
In fact I can't stop falling out
This is not about love
'Cause I am not in love
In fact I can't stop falling out
I miss that stupid ache...
What is this posture
I have to stare at
That's what he said when I'm sittin' up straight
Change the name of the game 'cause he lost
And he knew he was wrong but he knew it too late
But I'm not being fair
'Cause I chose to listen to that filthy mouth
But I'd like to choose right
Take all the things that I've said that he stole
Put 'em in a sack
Swing 'em over my shoulder
Turn on my heels
Step out of his sight
Try to live in a lovelier life
This is not about love
'Cause I am not in love
In fact I cant stop falling out
This is not about love
'Cause I am not in love
In fact i cant stop falling out
I miss that stupid ache...
@Uvvibes
The concept of the video “him reading what she wrote about him and their relationship “ and mocking her and being upset even though knowing it’s her truth is so brilliant and gives a whole other level to the song. Bravo 👏 how music videos should be
@duncanlaing6078
I thought it was about a drug fueled toxic relationship. The letter was the breaking point. I guess you'd have to be there.
@WorldGoods
I ain't sure that's it, I always thought it was about they had bills to pay and he didn't want to adknowledge it
@YourRealBestFriend
I did that to my, now ex, once. She didn't mock me, but did give me notes. They were good notes, but it didn't help.
@melo8992
This song is incredible.
@teamguido555
I never knew Zach Galifianakis had such a beautiful voice.
@agdrummer2610
Well you do know. Tairy Green is a musical powerhouse!!
@vvthetalentlessduo6976
O
@cactine
That's actually fiona singing not Zach
@vlogdopatinhonoel8888
@@cactine r/wooooosh