music.wikisort.org - Composition

"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 (1996-07-01)
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
"Shadowboxer" (1996) "Slow Like Honey" (1996)

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	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		[14]

References

---