Complete List Of Fiona Apple Albums And Songs

Picture of Fiona Apple playing the piano and singing used for the Fiona Apple Albums and Songs List

Feature Photo: MPH Photos / Shutterstock.com

Fiona Apple McAfee-Maggart, known professionally as Fiona Apple, embarked on her music career in the mid-1990s and quickly became one of the most distinctive voices in the alternative music scene. Born on September 13, 1977, in Manhattan, New York, she is the daughter of actor Brandon Maggart and singer Diane McAfee. Apple’s deep, expressive contralto and pianistic talents set her apart in an era dominated by more conventional pop music. Her debut album, Tidal, was released in 1996 when she was just 19 years old. It was a commercial success, certified 3x Platinum by the RIAA, and included the hit single “Criminal,” which won her a Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance.

Throughout her career, Fiona Apple has released five studio albums: Tidal (1996), When the Pawn… (1999), Extraordinary Machine (2005), The Idler Wheel… (2012), and Fetch the Bolt Cutters (2020). The Idler Wheel… received widespread critical acclaim and debuted at number 3 on the Billboard 200, while Fetch the Bolt Cutters also received universal acclaim and debuted at number 4. Apple’s work is known for its idiosyncratic lyrics and experimental production. She has not released any live albums or compilations as her focus has remained on studio work and her albums have often been separated by long gaps, during which she has largely stayed out of the public eye.

Apple’s influence extends beyond commercial success, as she has been a vocal advocate for artists’ rights and various social causes. Her forthright approach and the raw intensity of her music have garnered her a dedicated fan base. Her awards include the Grammy she won for “Criminal,” and her albums have frequently landed on critics’ year-end lists, highlighting her ongoing impact in the music industry. Fiona Apple continues to be a compelling figure in contemporary music, known for her authenticity and artistic integrity.

Tidal

Released: July 23, 1996

Tidal is Fiona Apple’s debut studio album, released by Work Records and Columbia Records. It achieved commercial success, peaking at number 15 on the Billboard 200. The album, known for its introspective lyrics and unique blend of jazz, pop, and alternative music, helped establish Apple as a unique voice in the mid-90s. It was recorded primarily at Ocean Way Recording in Hollywood and Sony Music Studios in New York City between 1995 and 1996, with Andrew Slater as the producer.

The musicians involved in the production include Fiona Apple on vocals and piano, with contributions from notable session musicians such as Matt Chamberlain on drums, Greg Richling on bass, and Jon Brion on guitar. This album includes Apple’s breakthrough hit “Criminal,” which won a Grammy Award and is notable for its candid lyrical content and sultry piano-driven melody.

CD Track Listings:

“Sleep to Dream” – 4:08
“Sullen Girl” – 3:54
“Shadowboxer” – 5:24
“Criminal” – 5:41
“Slow Like Honey” – 5:56
“The First Taste” – 4:45
“Never Is a Promise” – 5:54
“The Child Is Gone” – 4:14
“Pale September” – 5:50
“Carrion” – 5:43

When the Pawn…

Released: November 9, 1999

When the Pawn…, Fiona Apple’s second studio album, subtitled with a lengthy poem, was released through Epic Records and continued her rise in alternative music. It reached number 13 on the Billboard 200. The album was recorded from 1998 to 1999 at various studios, including Ocean Way Recording and Sony Music Studios, and was produced by Jon Brion. This album is noted for its more expansive sound and experimental arrangements, further showcasing Apple’s evolving artistry.

Musicians on this album include Fiona Apple on vocals and piano, with Jon Brion providing numerous instruments, and contributions from Chamberlain, Richling, and others in the industry. The album’s sound is characterized by its use of orchestral elements and complex songwriting, with tracks like “Fast as You Can” and “Paper Bag” highlighting Apple’s vocal prowess and depth as a songwriter.

CD Track Listings:

“On the Bound” – 5:23
“To Your Love” – 3:40
“Limp” – 3:31
“Love Ridden” – 3:22
“Paper Bag” – 3:40
“A Mistake” – 4:58
“Fast as You Can” – 4:40
“The Way Things Are” – 4:18
“Get Gone” – 4:10
“I Know” – 4:57

Extraordinary Machine

Released: October 4, 2005

Extraordinary Machine marks Fiona Apple’s third studio album, released by Epic Records. It peaked at number 7 on the Billboard 200, making it her highest-charting album at that time. Recorded over several years in a prolonged production process, it involved initial sessions with Jon Brion and later re-recorded with producer Mike Elizondo. The album was recorded at the Paramour Mansion and other studios, reflecting a period of creative challenges and growth.

This album includes a range of session musicians, with Apple’s vocals and piano at the core, complemented by Elizondo’s bass and production. The sound of Extraordinary Machine is notable for its baroque pop elements and experimental leanings, with tracks like “Not About Love” and the title track, “Extraordinary Machine,” showcasing Apple’s innovative approaches to melody and rhythm.

CD Track Listings:

“Extraordinary Machine” – 3:44
“Get Him Back” – 5:26
“O’ Sailor” – 5:37
“Better Version of Me” – 3:01
“Tymps (The Sick in the Head Song)” – 4:05
“Parting Gift” – 3:36
“Window” – 5:33
“Oh Well” – 3:42
“Please Please Please” – 3:35
“Red Red Red” – 4:08
“Not About Love” – 4:21
“Waltz (Better Than Fine)” – 3:46

The Idler Wheel…

Released: June 19, 2012

The Idler Wheel…, officially titled The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do, is Fiona Apple’s fourth studio album. Released through Epic Records, it debuted at number 3 on the Billboard 200. The album was recorded at Stanley Recordings in Venice, California, with Fiona Apple and Charley Drayton co-producing. This album marks a return to a more stripped-down, acoustic setting, with a focus on Apple’s piano playing and complex, highly personal lyrics.

Musicians involved in this project are primarily Apple and Drayton, with minimal outside intervention, creating an intimate and intense listening experience. The album’s tone is introspective and raw, with standout tracks like “Every Single Night” and “Hot Knife” demonstrating Apple’s unique ability to blend poetic lyrics with compelling melodies.

CD Track Listings:

“Every Single Night” – 3:33
“Daredevil” – 3:28
“Valentine” – 3:32
“Jonathan” – 5:04
“Left Alone” – 4:50
“Werewolf” – 3:12
“Periphery” – 4:58
“Regret” – 5:17
“Anything We Want” – 4:40
“Hot Knife” – 4:02

Fetch the Bolt Cutters

Released: April 17, 2020

Fetch the Bolt Cutters is Fiona Apple’s fifth studio album, released by Epic Records. This album received widespread critical acclaim and debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200. It was recorded in Apple’s home in Venice, California, over several years, and produced by Apple herself, marking her most personal and unfiltered work to date.

This album features Fiona Apple on vocals, piano, and various other instruments, with contributions from Amy Aileen Wood on drums and percussion, Sebastian Steinberg on bass, and Davíd Garza on guitars. The album’s sound is characterized by its use of unconventional percussive elements and a freer, more experimental approach to song structure. Tracks like “Shameika” and “Fetch the Bolt Cutters” have been praised for their innovative production and raw, emotional honesty.

CD Track Listings: