Shadowboxer (song)

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"Shadowboxer"
FionaAppleShadowboxer.png
Single by Fiona Apple
from the album Tidal
B-side"Never Is a Promise"
ReleasedJuly 1, 1996 (1996-07-01)
StudioOcean Way Recording
(Los Angeles, California)
Length5:26
LabelWork, Columbia
Songwriter(s)Fiona Apple
Producer(s)Andrew Slater
Fiona Apple singles chronology
"Shadowboxer"
(1996) 		"Slow Like Honey"
(1996)

"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.

Background and release[]

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[]

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[]

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[]

"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[]

CD single[9]

  1. "Shadowboxer" – 5:26
  2. "Never Is a Promise" – 5:56

Maxi single[9]

  1. "Shadowboxer" (radio edit)
  2. "Shadowboxer" (album version)
  3. "Never Is a Promise"
  4. "Carrion" (Live)

Personnel[]

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[]

Chart (1996) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[11] 169
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[12] 32
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[13] 34

Release history[]

Country Date Format Label Catalog
United States[9] July 1, 1996 CD single Work, Columbia WRK 663482 1
France[9] Sony Music Entertainment WRK 663482 1
Austria[9] WRK 663482 2
United Kingdom[9] Columbia SAMPCD 3535

References[]

  1. ^ "Fiona Apple - Tidal". Soundstage.com. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  2. ^ "Saturday Night Live - Robert Downey Jr.-Fiona Apple - Season 22, Episode 6". TV.com. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  3. ^ "MTV Unplugged - Fiona Apple". TV.com. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  4. ^ Fiona Apple music video "Shadowboxer"
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b "Fiona Apple Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  6. ^ Helligar, Jeremy (25 November 1996). "Apple's Way". People. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
  7. ^ Mirkin, Steven (23 August 1996). "Music Review: Fiona Apple, Shahowboxer' (1996)". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
  8. ^ Thomas Erlewine, Stephen (23 July 1996). "Fiona Apple - Tidal - Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
  9. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f "Fiona Apple - Shadowboxer". Discogs. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  10. ^ "Fiona Apple - Tidal". Discogs. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  11. ^ "Response from ARIA re: chart inquiry, received 12 July 2016". Imgur.com. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  12. ^ "Fiona Apple Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard.
  13. ^ "Fiona Apple Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard.

External links[]

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