Few musicians have chronicled their personal growth and journey toward self-understanding in their music quite like Fiona Apple. Making a list of essential songs by Fiona Apple is no easy feat, either. While the four tracks on this list are essential, we can’t help but recommend listening to her entire discography from beginning to end to really experience her properly as an artist. Still, these tracks are a good place to start. Let’s take a look!
1. “Criminal”
This 1996 hit is probably Fiona Apple’s most well-known song of her career. She’s penned quite a few arresting tunes in the years since, but we’re not exactly mad about “Criminal” and its career-defining infamy.
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According to Apple herself, “Criminal” is all about feeling a little ashamed over using one’s sexuality to get something they need with ease. It’s a sincere but also sardonic song, and it made a few people clutch their pearls in the late 1990s.
2. “Fast As You Can”
By 1999, the music world was changing quite rapidly. Apple has always been great at staying true to her music while still moving with the ebb and flow of alternative rock in a way that made sense.
“Fast As You Can” and the whole of When The Pawn are great examples of how beautifully Apple evolved as a musician while using her music as a journal of sorts for understanding herself. “Fast As You Can” is just one of many tools Apple used; we were all just there for the ride.
3. “Hot Knife”
The way Apple’s voice has changed as she aged is quite something to behold. You can hear that beautiful change in her voice on the 2012 song “Hot Knife”. Just as well, that particular song is quite dense with sensuality and sexual tension, maybe even more so than “Criminal”. It’s a really addicting track from an applaudable album.
4. “Under The Table”
Fiona Apple songs follow a loose narrative based on the singer/songwriter’s life. That much is evident in the 2020 song “Under The Table”.
There’s a notable change in storytelling between “Criminal” and “Under The Table”. In the former song, Apple begs the listener to redeem her. In “Under The Table”, Apple directly says that she doesn’t enjoy begging. It’s a defiant song with an explosive vocal track, and it follows the real-life story of when Apple had to call out a dinner guest.
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