Fiona's Songs...and what they mean to her fans

The Eternal Shadowboxer--Fiona Apple

This page has been created for Fiona's fans to share their thoughts on her songs. Eventually it will contain all the lyrics from "Tidal" and, hopefully, different thoughts on each song.(In no particular order) If you'd like to share (and please do!) please send email to Holland00@aol.com

Sullen Girl

Days like this, I don't know what to do with myself
All day--and all night
I wander the halls along the walls and under my breath
I say to myself
I need fuel--to take flight--

And there's too much going on
But it's calm under the waves, in the blue of my oblivion
Under the waves in the blue of my oblivion

Is that why they call me a sullen girl--sullen girl
They don't know I used to sail the deep and tranquil sea
But he washed me ashore and he took my pearl--
And left an empty shell of me

And there's too much going on
But it's calm under the waves, in the blue of my oblivion
Under the waves in the blue of my oblivion
It's calm under the waves, in the blue of my oblivion

This is my favourtie song on the album, for many reasons, the biggest one being that I can relate to it. No, I was not raped by anyone, but I do know what it feels like to dissapear into yourself and be thought of as odd and sullen.

Sleep to Dream

I tell you how I feel, but you don't care
I say tell me the truth, but you don't dare
You say love is a hell you cannot bear
And I say gimme mine back and then go there-for all I care

I got my feet on the ground and I don't go to sleep to dream
You got you head in the clouds and you're not at all what you seem
This mind, this body and this voice cannot be stifled by your deviant ways
So don't forget what I told you, don't come around, I got my own hell to raise

I have never been so insulted in all my life
I could swallow the seas to wash down all this pride
First you run like a fool just to be at my side
Then you run like a fool, but you just run to hide, and I can't abide

I got my feet on the ground and I don't go to sleep to dream
You got you head in the clouds and you're not at all what you seem
This mind, this body and this voice cannot be stifled by your deviant ways
So don't forget what I told you, don't come around, I got my own hell to raise

Don't make it a big deal, don't be so sensitive
We're not playing a game anymore; you don't have to be so defensive
Don't plead me your case, don't bother to explain
Don't even show me your face, 'cuz it's a crying shame
Just go back to the rock from under which you came
Take the sorrow you gave and all the stakes you claim--
And don't forget the blame

I got my feet on the ground and I don't go to sleep to dream
You got you head in the clouds and you're not at all what you seem
This mind, this body and this voice cannot be stifled by your deviant ways
So don't forget what I told you, don't come around, I got my own hell to raise

This is a great song. I know that Fiona wrote it about a relationship that she had with a man, but it reminds me of a friendship that I'm in now. I like to play it and to remind myself that there is an escape.

Never Is A Promise

But as the scenery grows, I see in different lights
The shades and shadows undulate in my perception
My feelings swell and stretch; I see from greater heights
I understand what I am still to proud to mention--to you

You'll say you understand, but you don't understand
You'll say you'd never give up seeing eye to eye
But never is a promise, and you can't afford to lie

You'll never touch--these things that I hold
The skin of my emotions lies beneath my own
You'll never feel the heat of this soul
My fever burns me deep that I've ever shown--to you

You'll say, Don't fear your dreams, it's easier than it seems
You'll say you'd never let me fall from hopes so high
But never is a promise and you can't afford to lie

You'll never live the life that I live
I'll never live the life that wakes me in the night
You'll never hear the message I give
You'll say it looks as though I might give up this fight

But as the scenery grows, I see in different lights
The shades and shadows undulate in my perception
My feelings swell and stretch, I see from greater heights
I realize what I am now too smart to mention--to you

You'll say you understand, you'll never understand
I'll say I'll never wake up knowing how or why
I don't know what to believe in, you don't know who I am
You'll say I need appeasing when I start to cry
But never is a promise and I'll never need a lie

This song reminds me of my mother. I don't know why. It just does.