O' Sailor

Album: Extraordinary Machine (2005)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is about being in mourning, although what it is over, Apple doesn't make clear. Some of the lyrics suggest a death, and some seem to be about a man being unfaithful. It could possibly even be both. The song and video have an eerie "ghost ship" type of effect. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Angela - Sylacauga, AL
  • When Fiona sings:

    O' Sailor, why'd you do it
    What'd you do that for
    Saying there's nothing to it
    And then letting it go by the boards


    "By the boards" is an expression meaning cast aside. It's a sailing term meaning something being thrown overboard as useless - it would go by the boards as it went past the ship.
  • Extraordinary Machine was Apple's third album. It was finally released in 2005, six years after her previous LP, When The Pawn... She started recording the album in 2003 with Pawn producer Jon Brion, but they could only complete two tracks to their satisfaction: the title track and "Waltz (Better Than Fine)," which ended up being the first and last songs on the album. The other nine tracks they worked on stagnated; Mike Elizondo was brought in to take over production, and it still didn't gel. With production at a standstill, Brion's roommate, a producer named Brian Kehew, began surreptitiously recording new versions of the tracks with Fiona without the record company knowing. They were able to complete the unfinished nine tracks, plus another that Fiona brought in called "Parting Gift." (Here's Brian's full story about making the album.)

Comments: 2

  • G from Cleve, AndorraNope, it is about being the other woman.
  • Shane from Anaheim, CaThe music video for this song was filmed on the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Yacht Rock!

Yacht Rock!Song Writing

A scholarly analysis of yacht rock favorites ("Steal Away," "Baker Street"...) with a member of the leading YR cover band.

David Bowie Lyrics Quiz

David Bowie Lyrics QuizMusic Quiz

How well do you know your David Bowie lyrics? Take this quiz to find out.

Ed Roland of Collective Soul

Ed Roland of Collective SoulSongwriter Interviews

The stories behind "Shine," "December," "The World I Know" and other Collective Soul hits.

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman Jack

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman JackSong Writing

The story of the legendary lupine DJ through the songs he inspired.

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy Talent

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy TalentSongwriter Interviews

The frontman for one of Canada's most well-known punk rock bands talks about his Eddie Vedder encounter, Billy Talent's new album, and the importance of rock and roll.

Judas Priest

Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford, Richie Faulkner and Glenn Tipton talk twin guitar harmonies and explain how they create songs in Judas Priest.