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."
O
Fiona Apple Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mightn't be right that you're not here
It's double-sided 'cause I ruined it all
But also saved myself
By never believing you, Dear
Everything good I deem too good to be true
Everything else is just a bore
Has a pretty painful and very imposing before
O' sailor why'd you do it
What'd you do that for
Saying there's nothing to it
And then lettin' it go by the boards
O' sailor why'd you do it
What'd you do that for
Saying there's nothing to it
And then lettin' it go by the boards
I have too been playing with fifty-two cards
Just cause I play so far from my vest
Whatever I've got, I've got no reason to guard
What could I do but spend my best
O' sailor why'd you do it
What'd you do that for
Saying there's nothing to it
And then lettin' it go by the boards
O' sailor why'd you do it
What'd you do that for
Saying there's nothing to it
And then lettin' it go by the boards
And after waiting, fighting patiently on my knees
All the other stuff tired itself out first, not me
And in its wake appeared the touch and call of a different breed
One who set to get me wise and got me there and then, got me
And what a thing to know what could be instead
Oh what a blessed curse to see
It took the agenda from its place in my bed
Made a merry paramour of me
O' sailor why'd you do it
What'd you do that for
Saying there's nothing to it
And then lettin' it go by the boards
O' sailor why'd you do it
What'd you do that for
Giving me eyes to view it
As it goes by the boards
O' sailor why'd you do it
What'd you do that for
Saying there's nothing to it
And then lettin' it go by the boards
O' sailor why'd you do it
What'd you do that for
Saying there's nothing to it
And then lettin' it go by the boards
O' sailor why'd you do it
What'd you do that for
Giving me eyes to view it
As it goes by the boards
O' sailor why'd you do it
What'd you do that for
Giving me eyes to view it
As it goes by the boards
The lyrics to Fiona Apple's song "O' Sailor" demonstrate the singer's ambivalent feelings towards a past lover who has come back into her life. She is "undecided" about whether it's right that he's not there, and she acknowledges that her own actions have contributed to the demise of their relationship. Yet, she has also "saved herself" by not believing him, showing that she has learned to protect herself from further heartbreak. The chorus focuses on the question of why the sailor (her lover) has acted the way he has, saying there's "nothing to it" before "letting it go by the boards." This could refer to his lack of commitment or perceived indifference.
The song's second verse highlights her own vulnerability in relationships, suggesting that the reason she has been hurt in the past is that she has given too much of herself too soon. She describes herself as "playing with fifty-two cards," wearing her heart on her sleeve, giving her all even when she should be guarded. Yet, despite this, she feels she has nothing to lose in love, and will continue to "spend her best."
The final verse of "O' Sailor" is more optimistic than the rest of the song, with Fiona Apple singing about a new lover who "got [her] wise" and "made a merry paramour" of her. This suggests that she has found a healthier relationship with someone who values her for who she really is. The repetition of the chorus shows that she is still trying to understand her previous lover's actions, but also acknowledges that she has been given the gift of new perspective in her current relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm undecided about you again
I'm not sure if I want to be around you or not
Mightn't be right that you're not here
It doesn't feel right that you're gone
It's double-sided 'cause I ruined it all
I messed up our relationship, but it was for the best
But also saved myself
I also saved myself from being hurt
By never believing you, Dear
I never believed in your promises
Everything good I deem too good to be true
I never trust things that seem too perfect
Everything else is just a bore
Everything else seems uninteresting
Everything I have to look forward to
The future holds pain and challenges for me
Has a pretty painful and very imposing before
I know that there will be pain and hardship ahead
O' sailor why'd you do it
Why did you do what you did
What'd you do that for
Why did you hurt me like that
Saying there's nothing to it
Acting like it wasn't a big deal
And then lettin' it go by the boards
And then forgetting about it
I have too been playing with fifty-two cards
I've been taking risks and not holding back
Just cause I play so far from my vest
Because I'm not afraid to show my cards
Whatever I've got, I've got no reason to guard
I have nothing to hide, so I don't hold back
What could I do but spend my best
I do my best with what I have
Giving me eyes to view it
You helped me see the truth
And after waiting, fighting patiently on my knees
I waited and fought for what I wanted
All the other stuff tired itself out first, not me
I didn't give up, I kept going
And in its wake appeared the touch and call of a different breed
Something new and better came along
One who set to get me wise and got me there and then, got me
Someone who showed me the truth and helped me grow
And what a thing to know what could be instead
It's amazing to see what could be instead of what was
Oh what a blessed curse to see
It's a blessing and a curse to have this knowledge
It took the agenda from its place in my bed
It changed my priorities in life
Made a merry paramour of me
It made me happy and full of love
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: FIONA APPLE MAGGART
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mariarombe7109
I'm undecided about you again
Mightn't be right that you're not here
It's double-sided, 'cause I ruined it all
But also saved myself by never believing you, dear
Everything good I deem too good to be true
Everything else is just a bore
Everything I have to look forward to
Has a pretty painful and very imposing before
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
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
I have, too, been playing with fifty-two cards
Just 'cause I play so far from my vest
Whatever I've got, I've got no reason to guard
What could I do but spend my best?
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
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
And after waiting, fighting patiently on my knees
All the other stuff tired itself out first, and not me
And in its wake, appeared the touch and call
Of a different breed
One who set to get me wise, and got me there
And then, got me
Oh, what a thing, to know what could be instead
Oh, what a blessed curse; to see
It took the agenda from its place in my bed
Made a merry paramour of me
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
O' sailor, why'd you do it?
What'd you do that for?
Giving me eyes to view it
As it goes by the boards
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
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
O' sailor, why'd you do it?
What'd you do that for?
Giving me eyes to view it
As it goes by the boards
O' sailor, why'd you do it?
What'd you do that for?
Giving me eyes to view it
As it goes by the boards
@jelly_ellipsis
I'm undecided about you again
Mightn't be right that you're not here
It's double-sided, cause I ruined it all
- But also saved myself, by never believing you, Dear
Everything good, I deem too good to be true
Everything else is just a bore
Everything I have to look forward to
Has a pretty painful and very imposing before
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
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
I have too been playing with fifty-two cards
- Just cause I play so far from my vest
Whatever I've got, I've got no reason to guard
What could I do, but spend my best
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
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
And after waiting, fighting patiently on my knees
All the other stuff tired itself out first, not me
And in its wake, appeared the touch and call
Of a different breed
One who set to get me wise, and got me there
And then, got me
And what a thing, to know what could be instead
Oh, what a blessed curse; to see
It took the agenda from its place in my bed
Made a merry paramour of me
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
O' sailor, why'd you do it
What'd you do that for
Giving me eyes to view it
As it goes by the boards
@dominicomegon4714
People with an ear for music, all in the know, know.. Fiona Apple is UP THERE as the one of the best talents in modern music history.
@lindsaykuzia5038
I've known since i was 12 and i bought her first album with my birthday money.
@melaniep6964
So true, been a huge fan since her first album. She's one of my all time faves.
@grimandbilly005
She's almost as good as Slowdive
@missmac7395
Perfect statement
@desireandfire
Fiona is such a phenomal songwriter it's insane.. the fact that twenty years into her career and she managed to have the most critically acclaimed album last year. This is genuine talent. There's something running in her veins and I'm just so happy to live in a world where she exists
@quillber
"everything good i deem too good to be true. everything else is just a bore" - gosh, she just.. knows
@sculptureofsound2
For me it's the, "everything I have to look forward to has a pretty painful and very imposing before.."
@onehotminutex
I love the mechanics of this song. It really sways like you're on a boat. The video perfectly fits the atmosphere of the song, and not just the sailor reference. This is art.
@bluegenes2273
Good for hula hooping, too!