Career Timeline of Fiona Apple: Major Achievements and Milestones
How Fiona Apple built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Fiona Apple is an acclaimed American singer-songwriter, recognized for her distinctive songwriting and powerful vocals. From 1996 to 2020, she released five albums, all achieving top 20 status on the Billboard 200. Her global record sales exceed 15 million. Apple's artistry has been celebrated with multiple awards, including three Grammy Awards, two MTV Video Music Awards, and a Billboard Music Video Award, solidifying her impact on the music industry.
1994: Introduction to the music industry
In 1994, Fiona Apple was introduced to the music industry when she gave a demo tape containing the songs "Never Is a Promise", "Not One of Those Times", and "He Takes a Taxi" to her friend, who was the babysitter for music publicist Kathryn Schenker.
1996: Release of debut album Tidal
In 1996, Fiona Apple released her debut album, Tidal, which was composed of songs written during her teens. The album later won Best Female Rock Performance at the 39th Annual Grammy Awards for its single "Criminal".
January 1998: Response to criticisms of acceptance speech
In January 1998, Fiona Apple responded to criticisms of her acceptance speech in Rolling Stone, stating, "When I have something to say, I'll say it."
1999: Release of When the Pawn...
In 1999, Fiona Apple released her second album, When the Pawn..., produced by Jon Brion, which was met with critical acclaim and received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
2002: Collaboration with Brion for Extraordinary Machine
In 2002, Fiona Apple collaborated with Jon Brion and began recording her third album, Extraordinary Machine.
2002: Beginning of Extraordinary Machine recording sessions
In spring 2002, Fiona Apple and Jon Brion began recording sessions for her third album, Extraordinary Machine, at Ocean Way Studios in Nashville, Tennessee, but later moved to the Paramour Mansion in Los Angeles.
2003: Collaboration with Johnny Cash
In 2003, Fiona Apple sang with Johnny Cash on a cover of Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge over Troubled Water" that ended up on his album American IV: The Man Comes Around and was nominated for a Grammy Award for "Best Country Collaboration with Vocals".
August 2005: Extraordinary Machine release date announced
In August 2005, the album Extraordinary Machine by Fiona Apple was given an October release date. Production had been largely redone "from scratch" by Mike Elizondo and was co-produced by Brian Kehew.
2005: Release of Extraordinary Machine
In October 2005, Fiona Apple's album Extraordinary Machine was released after being re-produced. The album was certified gold and nominated for a Grammy Award.
May 2006: Tribute to Elvis Costello
In May 2006, Fiona Apple paid tribute to Elvis Costello on VH1's concert series Decades Rock Live, by performing Costello's hit "I Want You".
June 2006: Collaboration with Zach Galifianakis
In June 2006, Fiona Apple appeared on the joke track "Come Over and Get It (Up in 'Dem Guts)" by comedian Zach Galifianakis.
August 2007: East Coast tour with Nickel Creek
In August 2007, Fiona Apple toured the East Coast with Nickel Creek.
2008: Duet with Christophe Deluy
In 2008, Fiona Apple recorded a duet titled "Still I" with Christophe Deluy.
2009: Covers for The Best Is Yet to Come
In 2009, Fiona Apple covered "Why Try to Change Me Now" and "I Walk A Little Faster" for The Best Is Yet to Come – The Songs of Cy Coleman.
January 2010: Performance at "Love and Haiti, Too: A Music Benefit"
In January 2010, Fiona Apple and Jon Brion performed together at "Love and Haiti, Too: A Music Benefit", a charity concert for the people hurt by the Haiti earthquake. Apple sang a cover of "(S)he's Funny That Way", composed by Neil Moret, lyrics by Richard Whiting.
June 2010: Release of "So Sleepy"
In June 2010, Fiona Apple released a song titled "So Sleepy", produced by Brion and written by children involved with the non-profit organization 826LA. The song was included on a compilation album released by the organization titled Chickens in Love.
August 24, 2010: Collaboration with Margaret Cho on Cho Dependent
On August 24, 2010, Fiona Apple collaborated with Margaret Cho on her album Cho Dependent.
2010: Planning for a new album
In late 2010, it was reported that Fiona Apple was planning on releasing a new album in spring 2011, with Michelle Branch claiming to have heard some of the new tracks.
2011: Delay of new album release
In spring 2011, Fiona Apple's new album was not released as initially planned.
January 2012: Announcement of new album release
In January 2012, Epic Records announced that Fiona Apple's album would be released later in the year. Apple also announced performances at the South by Southwest Festival and a spring 2012 tour.
June 19, 2012: Release of The Idler Wheel...
On June 19, 2012, Fiona Apple's fourth studio album, The Idler Wheel..., was released in the United States. It became Apple's most successful album on the Billboard 200, where it peaked at number three, and received critical acclaim.
November 2012: Postponement of South American Tour
In November 2012, Fiona Apple postponed the South American leg of her tour due to the health of her dog, Janet, who was suffering from Addison's disease and had a tumor in her chest.
2012: Release of The Idler Wheel...
In 2012, Fiona Apple released her fourth studio album, The Idler Wheel..., which received critical praise and was followed by a tour of the United States. It also received a nomination for Best Alternative Music Album at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards.
September 2013: Chipotle Ad Featuring "Pure Imagination"
In September 2013, a Chipotle ad featuring Fiona Apple's cover of "Pure Imagination" from the 1971 film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory appeared online.
2013: Collaboration on Acoustic Version of "I Know"
In 2013, Fiona Apple and Blake Mills publicly collaborated on an acoustic version of Apple's song "I Know".
2014: Theme for "The Affair" and Performances with Blake Mills
In 2014, Fiona Apple wrote the opening theme, "Container", for the Showtime drama series The Affair. During 2014, she also appeared at performances by Blake Mills.
2016: Collaboration on "Left Handed Kisses"
In 2016, Fiona Apple was featured in the song "Left Handed Kisses" from Andrew Bird's album Are You Serious.
September 2017: Ohana Festival Performance
In September 2017, Fiona Apple played rarities at the Ohana Festival in Dana Point, California.
2018: Girl School Festival Performance and Protest
In 2018, Fiona Apple joined Shirley Manson at the Girl School Festival in Los Angeles for a cover of "You Don't Own Me" by Lesley Gore, wearing a protest T-shirt in response to Grammy head Neil Portnow's comments.
January 2019: Collaboration with King Princess on "I Know"
In January 2019, Fiona Apple collaborated with King Princess on a version of her 1999 song "I Know" for Spotify's RISE program, released on January 25.
June 30, 2019: Donation Pledge to While They Wait Fund
On June 30, 2019, Fiona Apple pledged to donate two years' worth of earnings from TV and movie placements of her song "Criminal" to the While They Wait fund, assisting refugees.
September 2019: Confirmation of Album in Final Stages
In a September 2019 interview with Vulture, Fiona Apple confirmed that her album was in its final stages, recorded with a band, and planned for an early 2020 release.
January 2020: Anticipation of New Album Release
In January 2020, Fiona Apple mentioned in an interview with Vulture that her new album would likely be out "in a few months."
March 8, 2020: Announcement of Album Completion
On March 8, 2020, Fiona Apple posted a video showcasing her saying "M-Y-R-E-C-O-R-D-I-S-D-O-N-E" in fingerspelling, indicating the completion of her album.
April 17, 2020: Digital Release of "Fetch the Bolt Cutters"
On April 17, 2020, Fiona Apple digitally released her album "Fetch the Bolt Cutters", consisting of 13 self-produced tracks to widespread critical acclaim.
June 2020: Donation to Harlem Children's Zone
In June 2020, Fiona Apple pledged to donate two years' worth of earnings from TV and movie placements of her song "Shameika" to the Harlem Children's Zone.
2020: Release of fifth album
In 2020, Fiona Apple released her fifth album, which reached the top 20 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart.
2020: Release of Fetch the Bolt Cutters and Grammy wins
In 2020, Fiona Apple's fifth studio album, Fetch the Bolt Cutters, was released and later won two Grammy Awards: Best Alternative Music Album and Best Rock Performance for the lead single "Shameika."
April 15, 2021: Cover of Sharon Van Etten's "Love More"
On April 15, 2021, Fiona Apple covered Sharon Van Etten's "Love More", from the 10th anniversary of Van Etten's second album, Epic.
2021: Record sales milestone
By 2021, Fiona Apple had sold over 15 million records worldwide.
2021: Volunteer Court Watcher for Courtwatch PG
Since 2021, Fiona Apple has been a volunteer court watcher for Courtwatch PG.
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