Shadowboxer

Album: Tidal (1996)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Shadowboxing is boxing against an imaginary opponent. It's a way for boxers to train without getting hit.

    In this song, Fiona's lover-turned-"friend" has made her into a shadowboxer, ready for a fight but swinging at air because she's not sure what she's up against and when he's going to make his next move.
  • Fiona Apple told Nuvo about this song: "It was because of this guy I had gone out with and had been really, really close with. I really loved him. I felt that he was my best friend. But he was a teenaged guy, and they don't think a lot of times. He mistreated me and then he came back. I couldn't even be friends with him for awhile. I cared about him, but it was just a situation where he kept trying to be friends with me, but I knew that he just wanted to be friends with me so he could have the option of making a move on me whenever he wanted to. Because I was so infatuated with him, and even in love with him, I was always available for that. It made me feel weak every time I would fall for that. And I would look forward to him making a move on me, but I knew that it was wrong. I knew that he was playing with me. And after awhile, I didn't even care anymore because I wanted him so much." >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Kristy - La Porte City, IA
  • "Shadowboxer" was Apple's first single. Released ahead of her debut album, Tidal, it's a good representation of her sound, with a piano-and-strings arrangement framing her jazz-inflected vocal. Listeners were shocked to learn that Apple was just 18 years old - her lyrics and musical sensibilities indicated she had many more miles on her.

    Her label, Work (a division of Sony), knew she was a rare talent and pushed the song, but it was a tough sell: "Shadowboxer" runs 5:24 and doesn't have the big hooks that appeal to fans of pop music. Also, the video (directed by Jim Gable), was bare-bones black-and-white, more suited to VH1 than MTV. The song got some airplay on Adult Contemporary radio, but Apple's true appeal was to a younger audience that could absorb her pain. Most listeners found Apple through her song "Criminal," which came with a controversial video that earned her lots of airplay on MTV.
  • Apple performed this on Saturday Night Live when she was the musical guest on the November 16, 1996 episode.

Comments: 3

  • Brooke Guy from Central City, KyI Love Fiona!!! This song is me and my guy friend!!! We like Jerry and Elaine!!! Lol!!! I Love him!!! He Medicine Magic Man!!! Seen Fiona in Oct 1996 at IU Auditorium in Bloomington, IN!!! I was a freshmen and she opened for Counting Crows!!! I was Blown Away!!! Soo Amazing!!! Cherished IU memory!!! They were my goto all night paper writing albums!!! Recovering the Satellites!!! A year later I met my future husband Patrick Guy, My Love and Hero working for my Beloved White Castle!!! Best Years of my Life!!! I'm a Hoosier in KY!!! IU and Fiona!!!
  • Theresa from Murfreesboro, TnThis song packs an emotional punch. Fiona's best vocals.
  • Morbidious from Deerlodge, TnWish I was that lucky guy.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

N.W.A vs. the World

N.W.A vs. the WorldSong Writing

How the American gangsta rappers made history by getting banned in the UK.

80s Music Quiz 1

80s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

MTV, a popular TV theme song and Madonna all show up in this '80s music quiz.

John Lee Hooker

John Lee HookerSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for Bruce Pollock's 1984 conversation with the esteemed bluesman. Hooker talks about transforming a Tony Bennett classic and why you don't have to be sad and lonely to write the blues.

Wang Chung Pick The Top Songs Of The '80s

Wang Chung Pick The Top Songs Of The '80sSongwriter Interviews

'80s music ambassadors Wang Chung pick their top tracks of the decade, explaining what makes each one so special.

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside Story

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside StorySong Writing

The in-depth discussion about the making of Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted Neeley, who played Jesus in the 1973 film.

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went Mainstream

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went MainstreamSong Writing

These overtly religious songs crossed over to the pop charts, despite resistance from fans, and in many cases, churches.