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Fiona Apple (born Fiona Apple Maggart on September 13, 1977) is a New York City-born singer-songwriter.

Apple is the daughter of singer Diane McAfee and actor Brandon Maggart. As a child she was believed to be anti-social and as a result received psychotherapy. At the age of 12 she was the victim of a sexual assault. She attended high school in Los Angeles where she recorded a demo tape. The tape found its way to a record executive through his babysitter, a friend of Apple's. Her 1996 (see 1996 in music) debut album Tidal with its hit song "Criminal" was released to huge popularity and critical acclaim. It eventually went on to sell millions of copies. It was accompanied by a music video which intentionally simulated 1970's pornographic films and flirted with the idea of child pornography. In it Apple, who is extremely thin, appeared in various states of undress and writhed around in her underpants. Other singles released included "Sleep to Dream," "Shadowboxer" and "Never is a Promise." Musically "Tidal" was fleshed out with orchestras and piano/vocal solos, bringing focus to Apple's throaty alto singing voice.

Apple's public persona began to overshadow her music. In particular, while accepting an MTV music video award, she chided the audience for worshiping celebrity culture. She dismissed it as "bullshit" and cursed up a storm, eventually quoting Maya Angelou: "Go with yourself." This backfired on her as she was viewed as hypocritical. Detractors wanted to know how she could parade in her underwear in a music video that obviously reflected pornography only to turn around and tell young women to ignore it. In particular, comedienne Janeane Garofalo delivered a scalding parody of the awards show speech: "This world is bullshit; even though I'm skinny and appear in a music video wherein I am in my underwear, and even though I'm maybe not the most talented singer, songwriter or, whatever...go with yourself." It purportedly left Apple in tears. She vowed to intentionally make herself less pretty to counteract the pressure on young women to be beautiful.

During this time Apple also proclaimed herself a proud and devout Vegan. This brought more controversy upon her persona not because of her belief but because of her aggressive judgment of those who are meat-eaters. During Thanksgiving of 1997 when people called the hotline for PETA they reached a recording of Apple stating "Happy Thanksgiving, here's to your celebrating the genocide of a people by brutally slaughtering innocent animals that were forcibly bred to feed you obesity. Press one for public relations..."

During a relationship with film director Paul Thomas Anderson Apple wrote and recorded her 1999 second album, 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 (commonly shortened to When the Pawn).

Critics immediately dismissed the album. The initial review in Spin Magazine simply quoted the title, and then underneath read "Whoops. Now we don't have room for a review. One star." The album's sound was more mature both musically and lyrically, but it did not fare as well commercially. Although several singles were released, the videos received very little airplay. Many critics eventually heralded the material as a musical achievement, but the pomp and ego surrounding her public appearances (and the lengthy title) made it inaccessible to many listeners. The album's lyrics were also often difficult to decipher due to Apple's usage of archaic and intellectual words in place of layman's terms, for example: "My derring-do allows me to dance the rigadoon around you. But by the time I'm close to you I lose my desideratum " Singles from this album included "Fast as You Can," "Paper Bag" and "Limp". Musically the album experimented more with drum loops and heavily incorporated clavichord and organ.

Apple is currently working on her third album, tentatively titled Extraordinary Machine, along with Jon Brion, producer of When the Pawn. Originally set for release in September 2003, the album is currently being held from release by Sony Music as they say it doesn't have a marketable single. Despite this, two tracks, "Extraordinary Machine" and "Better Version of Me", have been leaked onto the Internet. In response to the label's reluctance to release the album, a website called "Free Fiona" (www.freefiona.com) was started by fans. The plan is to send "apple-related" items to the head of Apple's label in January of 2005 insisting that the record be released.

Discography

• Tidal (1996)
• When the Pawn (1999) (actual title longer, see text)

• 1977 births