I started writing it years ago, and I did a couple versions. It was problematic because I just didn’t like it. And so I deconstructed it and put it back together. It was very piano driven, and I had written it on the piano when I was very young. It just didn’t fit how I felt anymore. It was a little too bouncy. It was probably fine, but, as my friend Bella would say, “It was not wearing the dress that I wanted it to go to the party in.” So I needed to redress it.
David [Garza, a member of Apple’s band] said something like, “Oh, I did terrible things to that rack of his,” and we were like, “Oh, that’s what the song will be called, ‘I Did Terrible Things to That Rack of His.’” It just made me laugh so much. I was trying to do something with it for over a decade — certain lines would peek out from a notebook, and I’ll be like, Whoa, I know what the next thing to do is, all of the sudden, that I didn’t know ten years ago. I hadn’t been thinking about it for ten years, but if I’m sitting at the piano and I’m like, “Oh, right, there was that thing I played. Oh, I never finished that. Oh, I know what line could come after that.” Sometimes I’ll start something and I just know I don’t know enough to add onto it, so I have to wait until I know enough.
Rack of His
Fiona Apple Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And it wasn't because I was bored
I followed you from room to room
With no attention
And it wasn't because I was bored
It was because I was loving you so much
It's the only reason I gave my time to you
'Cause you know you won't like it
When there's nothing to do
Check out that rack of his
Look at that row of guitar necks
Lined up like eager fillies
Outstretched like legs of Rockettes
They don't know what they are in for
And they don't care, but I do
I thought you would wail on me
Like you wail on them
But it was just a coochie-coo-coo
And meanwhile I'm loving you so much
It's the only reason
I gave my time to you
And that's it, there's a kick and you've given up
'Cause you know you won't like it
When there's nothing to do
Meanwhile I'm loving you so much
It's the only reason
That I gave my time to you
And that's it, there's a kick and you've given up
'Cause you know you don't like it
When there's nothing to do
And I've been used so many times
I've learned to use myself in kind
I tried to drum
I tried to write
I can't do Orville, oh well that's fine
I guess 'cause I know how to spend my time
(I know how to spend my time)
(I know how to spend my time)
(I know how to spend my time)
(I know how to spend my time)
(And meanwhile I'm loving you so much)
(Meanwhile I'm loving you so much)
(Meanwhile I'm loving you so much)
(Meanwhile I'm loving you so much)
(Meanwhile I'm loving you so much)
In the song "Rack of His", Fiona Apple sings about her love and devotion towards someone, but also expresses her frustration towards their lack of attention towards her. She describes following them around, giving them pictures and cards even on non-holidays, but it wasn't out of boredom, it was because she loved them so much. However, she realizes that this person is more focused on their guitars and music and that they don't appreciate her love in the same way. She admires the impressive display of guitars in front of her, but also feels envious of them because they command more attention from her lover than she does. Despite feeling used and unappreciated, she continues to love and devote her time to this person.
The lyrics contain a lot of metaphors and imagery. Fiona compares the row of guitars to "eager fillies" and "legs of Rockettes". Her use of "coochie-coo-coo" towards the end of the second verse adds a touch of playfulness and satire to her frustration. The chorus repeats her love for this person, but also acknowledges the kick she's been given for giving so much of her time without receiving the same level of appreciation in return.
Line by Line Meaning
I gave you pictures and cards on non-holidays
I expressed my love and appreciation for you with small gifts and tokens of affection, even when it wasn't a special occasion.
And it wasn't because I was bored
Contrary to what you might think, I gave you those things out of love, not because I was unoccupied.
I followed you from room to room
I wanted to be close to you, so I followed you around the house, shadowing your every move.
With no attention
Perhaps you didn't notice because you were preoccupied, but I was following you without receiving any acknowledgement or attention in return.
And it wasn't because I was bored
Again, I wasn't aimlessly following you because I had nothing else to do; I simply wanted to be close to you.
It was because I was loving you so much
Everything I did and every moment I spent with you was because I loved you deeply and passionately.
It's the only reason I gave my time to you
I didn't spend time with you out of obligation or boredom; love was always the driving force behind my actions.
And that's it, there's a kick and you've given up
Now that you've lost interest or become less invested in our relationship, it feels like a harsh jolt or sting to me.
'Cause you know you won't like it when there's nothing to do
You're leaving me even though you know you'll miss me when you have a lot of free time and no one to spend it with.
Check out that rack of his
I'm admiring a collection of guitars belonging to someone else.
Look at that row of guitar necks
I'm fascinated by the necks of the guitars and the way they are displayed.
Lined up like eager fillies
The guitars are arranged in a way that reminds me of young horses, ready to run and expend their energy.
Outstretched like legs of Rockettes
The way the guitar necks are extended outward and lined up is similar to the famous chorus line of women in the Rockettes dance troupe.
They don't know what they are in for
These guitars are in for a lot of playing and attention, but they don't realize it yet.
And they don't care, but I do
While the guitars are passive objects, I care about them and am emotionally invested in them for some reason.
I thought you would wail on me
I expected you to play or use me with the same fervor and passion that you do with your guitars.
Like you wail on them
I thought that you would play music or create something with me in the same way that you do with your beloved instruments.
But it was just a coochie-coo-coo
Instead of engaging with me passionately, you treated me like a baby or a pet, cooing and making baby talk to me.
And meanwhile I'm loving you so much
Despite your lack of intense emotion, I love you more than ever before.
It's the only reason
Love is still the impetus behind everything I do or say to you.
That I gave my time to you
I willingly gave up my time to be with you, even when it wasn't reciprocated.
And that's it, there's a kick and you've given up
The thrill and electricity of our relationship is gone, and it's clear that you've put in less effort and interest.
'Cause you know you don't like it
You aren't invested in me anymore because you've realized that you don't find joy and fulfillment in spending time with me.
When there's nothing to do
You don't like being with me when there's no immediate activity or task to complete.
And I've been used so many times
I've allowed others to take advantage of me or have used me for their own gain frequently in the past.
I've learned to use myself in kind
I've learned to take care of myself and put my own needs first, just as others have previously done to me.
I tried to drum
I attempted to make music myself, even though it didn't come naturally or easily to me.
I tried to write
I attempted to express my feelings and thoughts through writing, but it didn't yield the results I wanted or expected.
I can't do Orville, oh well that's fine
Despite my best efforts, I can't do everything or please everyone; some things will elude me or be impossible for me to achieve.
I guess 'cause I know how to spend my time
Now that I've learned to prioritize my own needs and wants, I can choose how I spend my time and what activities are most meaningful to me.
(I know how to spend my time)
(I know how to spend my time)
(I know how to spend my time)
(I know how to spend my time)
(And meanwhile I'm loving you so much)
(Meanwhile I'm loving you so much)
(Meanwhile I'm loving you so much)
(Meanwhile I'm loving you so much)
(Meanwhile I'm loving you so much)
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Fiona Apple Maggart
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@willixns
[Lyrics]
I gave you pictures and cards on non-holidays
And it wasn't because I was bored
I followed you from room to room with no attention
And it wasn't because I was bored
It was because I was loving you so much
It's the only reason I gave my time to you
And that's it, there's a kick and you've given up
'Cause you know you won't like it when there's nothing to do
Check out that rack of his! Look at that row of guitar necks
Lined up like eager fillies, outstretched like legs of Rockettes
They don't know what they are in for and they don't care but I do
I thought you would wail on me like you wail on them but it was just a coochie-coo-coup!
And meanwhile I'm loving you so much
It's the only reason I gave my time to you
And that's it, there's a kick and you've given up
'Cause you know you won't like it when there's nothing to do
Meanwhile I'm loving you so much
That's the only reason that I gave my time to you
And that's it, there's a kick and you've given up
'Cause you know you don't like it when there's nothing to do
And I've been used so many times
I've learned to use myself in kind
I try to drum, I try to write
I can't do either well but
Oh well that's fine, I guess
'Cause I know how to spend my time
(I know how to spend my time)
(I know how to spend my time)
(I know how to spend my time)
(And meanwhile I'm loving you so much)
(And meanwhile I'm loving you so much)
(And meanwhile I'm loving you so much)
@cartera.klassen2495
I can't get over how beautiful the chord progression in this song is.
@Missjunebugfreak
Without a doubt one of my favourite tracks on the album.
@jeralddean9432
Right? Everytime I hear it I get this overwhelming frisson through my body, and a strong urge to cry
@MsLemon1971
I expect nothing less. Patience makes perfection, I think I'm her age.
@yvonnevanderlinden6750
Yes!
@BillHaines37
I feel exactly that way about every one of her songs.
@vanessaclark3443
I like how this song is so cutting and yet hilarious at the same time, only Fiona can make that work. "Check out that rack of his, look at that row of guitar necks, lined up like eager fillies, outstretched like the legs of Rockettes" being followed with "I thought you would wail on me, like you wail on them" was just so freaking genius and her cutesy "But it was just a choochie-coo-coups" is gold.
@Missjunebugfreak
That's my favourite part of the song. I love the way she sings those lines with a playful sultry tone.
@itsbeyondme5560
@@Missjunebugfreak yes girl
@G123G
heavy