The 90s were an amazing era for rock and alternative music, bands like Nirvana, Alice in Chains, and The Smashing Pumpkins were on the rise. Many female artists and bands like Alanis Morrisette, Garbage, and Hole were also releasing incredible music and changing the industry. But overall I think Fiona Apple was and is one of the most inspirational artists of her time. She has always been relatable and honest about her life. Her raw and poetic lyrics, combined with her deep, strong, yet still, feminine voice makes every single one of her songs beautiful.
Fiona Apple is a strong role model for young women. She shows that she won’t take shit from anyone, especially not men or the music industry. “I decided that if I was going to be exploited, then I would do the exploiting myself.” (Apple). She also shows that being submissive and vulnerable doesn’t have to be negative, but rather it can be positive and empowering. This sets an example to coming-of-age women that they don’t have to be dominant to be entitled to respect.Â
“How much strength does it take to hurt a little girl? How much strength does it take for the girl to get over it? Which one of them do you think is stronger?” (Apple) “She is strong enough to admit she’s a mess. In Fact, she might be the first self-demoting pop star.” (Slater). Fiona Apple is open about the fact she is mentally ill, and back in 1997 she was convinced she would drop another album and die. “I’m going to help some little girl out there. I am going to let her know that I have stretch marks on my ass, and bunions, that I don’t have my shit together. I want to give that girl some hope. I want her to know that she doesn’t have to have her shit together. She doesn’t. It’s okay if she doesn’t.” (Apple). This is really inspirational for young women, showing that this successful, beautiful, talented woman is just as fucked up as the rest of us.Â
Her debut album Tidal, a ten-track masterpiece released July 23rd, 1996 was a unique combination of jazz and hip-hop influences, it represented strong emotions both lyrically and vocally. On tracks 2 and 8 of Tidal, Fiona refers to a traumatic event she experienced at age twelve. “But he washed me ashore, and he took my pearl and left an empty shell of me” (Sullen Girl) “There’s no kind of loving that can make this alright” (The Child Is Gone) These lines refer to her sexual assault and they are raw and emotional. This man took away her innocence, her childhood, and changed her. Now she’s seen as a “sullen girl” and none of the love anyone tries to show her will fix it. But with the line “As the darkness turned into the dawn” she shows the listeners that it can get better. In track 7, Never Is a Promise, she is telling this person that she is strong, and even though they don’t believe her and think that she will give up, she doesn’t.Â
 Most commonly known off that album is the fourth track, Criminal. Criminal is a song Fiona wrote about breaking a man’s heart, which isn’t something she was proud of. On the surface, this song doesn’t seem like a good example to young women, but the feminism in the song isn’t about hurting men. “Just cause a girl gets her kicks in bed, don’t mean she’s a victim, or a slut, or a whore.” (Apple). This is a clear example of the double standard about female sexuality, and Fiona isn’t afraid to address it. When women choose to explore their sexuality it makes them a slut, but if they choose not to they are a prude. Fiona is trying to say she shouldn’t have to feel bad about enjoying sex, it’s normal. Track 6, The First Taste, is an excellent representation of her taking submission and making it empowering. “I do not struggle in your web because it was my aim to get caught… Darling, just start the chase, I’ll let you win” women are heavily scrutinized about their expression of sexuality, but Fiona could care less and it’s inspiring.
Unfortunately for Fiona, tracks 1, 3, 9, and 10 are about failed relationships and toxicity, but Fiona is no victim. In Sleep to Dream Fiona’s lover originally was overly excited to be with her but now he doesn’t want the love she has to offer, so she tells the guy to leave. She knows she is being realistic in the relationship, she isn’t asking for too much. If he doesn’t want her she’s fine with that, she isn’t going to change for him and she’s got better shit to do and she doesn’t need him. When he comes crawling back begging for her to take him back she tells him to get lost, she won’t be mistreated by him again. In Shadowboxer, Fiona describes an on-again-off-again relationship with her lover, but she’s fed up. “Well you know I’d be insane to ever let that dirty game recapture me” Although she may have loved him, she won’t let him hurt her again despite how tempting it might be. Similar to Shadowboxer, Carrion shows Fiona leaving a toxic relationship. Part of her wishes she could save their love, but she knows that it is too far gone. “Won’t do no good to throw no fist, babe, you can’t intimidate me back into your arms” This line shows that she won’t let him control her anymore, and shows young women that they don’t have to let anyone control them either. In Pale September, Fiona describes the sadness in a relationship that has ended, but that sadness is soon replaced by interest and excitement for this new love interest. She lets her guard down and becomes vulnerable with this new man, but she soon realizes that he only finds safety and comfort with her, and she wants passion and lust. She cares more for him than she does herself, and it takes a toll on her.Â
On Fiona’s sophomore album When The Pawn… released November 9th, 1999, track 9, Get Gone is a beautiful representation of growth from Pale September. She goes from caring more about this guy than she does herself, she’s able to tell him that she did what she could for him, but the relationship isn’t benefiting her anymore and he needs to move on. Limp is another song reflecting her ongoing agenda of calling men out on their BS. Fiona’s frustrated with her partner for gaslighting her. She states an obvious truth, “you’re the one in the way of the day of doom, baby if you need my shame to reclaim your pride”. If you need to make someone else feel like shit to make you feel better, you’re the one with the real issues. Truthfully, most of the other songs on When The Pawn aren’t necessarily something young women should aspire to achieve, but they are relatable. Sometimes that is all you need in a role model, someone to show you, “Hey, look I’m a mess too, but it’ll be okay and you aren’t alone” and that is something Fiona does really well. She is also sober! She skipped the Grammys to prioritize her sobriety which is amazing. Fiona Apple has 5 incredible albums and I highly recommend them, my favorites are her first two, but they are all good. If you guys would like a further analysis on her more recent albums I would be happy to do so, just let me know! Which artist should I write about next?
Spin Magazine https://www.spin.com/featured/fiona-apple-tidal-november-1997-cover-story-girl-trouble/Â
https://genius.com/artists/Fiona-appleÂ
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