"Shadowboxer" is a song written and performed by American alternative singer-songwriter Fiona Apple. It was released on July 1, 1996, by Work Records and Columbia Records as her debut single from her debut studio album, Tidal.
| "Shadowboxer" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Fiona Apple | ||||
| from the album Tidal | ||||
| B-side | "Never Is a Promise" | |||
| Released | July 1, 1996 | |||
| Studio | Ocean Way Recording (Los Angeles, California) | |||
| Length | 5:26 | |||
| Label | Work, Columbia | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Fiona Apple | |||
| Producer(s) | Andrew Slater | |||
| Fiona Apple singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Shadowboxer" on YouTube | ||||
Background and release edit
Apple recorded the song with collaborator Jon Brion in 1995 immediately after being signed to a record deal with Sony Music Entertainment. Its lyrical content mainly explores the themes of the dangers of desire and vulnerability.[1] It was then released as her debut and lead single from her forthcoming debut studio album on July 1, 1996. A music video of the song directed by Jim Gable was released. Apple performed "Shadowboxer" in various events, most notably during the 22nd season of Saturday Night Live[2] and on the television special MTV Unplugged: Fiona Apple.[3]
Music video edit
Shot entirely in black-and-white, this takes place in a recording studio, with scenes of her playing the piano and in Fostex T20RP headphones singing in front of a microphone.[4]
Chart performance edit
The song charted inside the Top 40 of two different Billboard charts. It spent six weeks on the Alternative Songs chart, peaking at number 34.[5] It fared much better on the Adult Pop Songs, peaking at number 32 and spent over 15 weeks on the chart.[5]
Critical reception edit
"Shadowboxer" has received critical acclaim from music critics, with many of them comparing Apple's voice to Nina Simone and her lyrical talent to Carole King.[6] Steven Mirkin of Entertainment Weekly gave the song an A−, he wrote, "Singing to a former lover, her slurred, smoky vocals float above a loping, gospel-tinged piano, vibes, and string arrangement, making her 'Shadowboxer' sound like Nina Simone covering early Elton John. Although she's only 18, she has the poise of a seasoned singer."[7] Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic described the song as "haunting", remarking that while "it strives to say something deep and important, much of the lyrics settle for clichés."[8]
Track listing edit
CD single[9]
- "Shadowboxer" – 5:26
- "Never Is a Promise" – 5:56
Maxi single[9]
- "Shadowboxer" (radio edit)
- "Shadowboxer" (album version)
- "Never Is a Promise"
- "Carrion" (Live)
Personnel edit
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Tidal;[10]
- Bass guitar – Greg Richling
- Drums – Danny Frankel
- Chamberlin – Patrick Warren
- Vibraphone, tack piano – Jon Brion
- Vocals, piano – Fiona Apple
Charts edit
| Chart (1996) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[11] | 32 |
| US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[12] | 34 |
Release history edit
| Country | Date | Format | Label | Catalog | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | July 1, 1996 | CD single | Work, Columbia | WRK 663482 1 | [9] |
| France | Sony Music Entertainment | WRK 663482 1 | |||
| Austria | WRK 663482 2 | ||||
| United Kingdom | Columbia | SAMPCD 3535 | |||
| United States[9] | October 1, 1996 | Contemporary hit radio | Work, Columbia | [13] |
References edit
- ^ "Fiona Apple - Tidal". Soundstage.com. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
- ^ "Saturday Night Live - Robert Downey Jr.-Fiona Apple - Season 22, Episode 6". TV.com. Archived from the original on 5 July 2012. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
- ^ "MTV Unplugged - Fiona Apple". TV.com. Archived from the original on 16 October 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
- ^ Fiona Apple music video "Shadowboxer"
- ^ a b "Fiona Apple Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
- ^ Helligar, Jeremy (25 November 1996). "Apple's Way". People. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
- ^ Mirkin, Steven (23 August 1996). "Music Review: Fiona Apple, Shahowboxer' (1996)". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
- ^ Thomas Erlewine, Stephen (23 July 1996). "Fiona Apple - Tidal - Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
- ^ a b c d "Fiona Apple - Shadowboxer". Discogs. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
- ^ "Fiona Apple - Tidal". Discogs. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
- ^ "Fiona Apple Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "Fiona Apple Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard.
- ^ "Selected New Releases: Adds October 1" (PDF). Radio & Records: 43. September 27, 1996.