 When the Pawn (1999) [ larger cover art ] |
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I was staring at the sky
Just looking for a star
To pray on or wish on
Or something like that
I was having a sweet fix
Of a daydream of a boy
Whose reality, I knew,
Was a hopeless to be had
But then the dove of hope
Began its downward slope
And I believed for a moment that
My chances were
Approaching to be grabbed
But as it came down near,
So did a weary tear
I thought it was a bird,
But it was just a paper bag
Hunger hurts,
And I want him so bad, oh it kills
'Cause I know I'm a mess he don't wanna clean up
I got to fold 'cause these hands are too shaky to hold
Hunger hurts but starvin' works
When it costs too much to love
And I went crazy again today
Looking for a strand to climb
Looking for a little hope
Baby said he couldn't stay
Wouldn't put his lips to mine
A fail to kiss is a fail to cope
I said, "Honey, I don't feel so good,
Don't feel justified.
Come on put a little love here in my void"
He said "It's all in your head"
And I said "So's everything"
But he didn't get it
I thought he was a man
But he was just a little boy
Hunger hurts, and I want him
So bad, oh it kills
'Cause I know I'm a mess he don't wanna clean up
I got to fold 'cause these hands are too shaky to hold
Hunger hurts, but starving works
When it costs... too much to love
Hunger hurts, but I want him so bad, oh it kills
'Cause I know I am a mess that he don't wanna clean up
I got to fold because these hands are just too shaky to hold
Hunger hurts, but starving works me
When it costs... too much to love
Hunger hurts, but I want him so bad, oh it kills me
Because I know that I'm a mess that he don't wanna clean up
I got to fold because these hands are just too shaky to hold
Hunger hurts, but starving, it works
When it costs too much to love
| Carl (The Summit City) | Posted: Apr 11, 2013 - 10:45 gandalfbmg wrote: Well, it appears that this album (and by extension this song as it's best track) indeed will go down as the peak of her creative output... I had such high hopes for her return, but it doesn't hold a candle to this... Sad. She had so much potential… |
| gandalfbmg (Thankfully now a little more than 3 mi from Paradise (Missouri)) | Posted: Jan 07, 2013 - 07:08 Well, it appears that this album (and by extension this song as it's best track) indeed will go down as the peak of her creative output... I had such high hopes for her return, but it doesn't hold a candle to this... |
| rdo (DC) | Posted: Dec 22, 2012 - 07:57 Mandible wrote: He said it's all in your head I always liked that lyric. It's true. |
| misterbearbaby (Marina del Rey, California) | Posted: Nov 05, 2012 - 12:40 The sad thing is, I bet she has 'fans.': 2. |
| ziakut (Albeit In The Meantime) | Posted: Jun 16, 2012 - 13:28 Haven't heard this in a long, long time. I'm really enjoying it too. I raise my glass to Fiona Apple. Anyone else want a drink? |
| MiracleDrug (Earth) | Posted: Mar 13, 2012 - 09:30 this is what Tori Amos would be like if she was likeable... and less depressing... |
| Carl (The Summit City) | Posted: Nov 23, 2011 - 11:03 What a well-turned song! It's been in my Radio Paradise Favorites playlist almost since Day One and seems to improve with every hearing. |
| annie_fannie (Iowa) | Posted: Nov 07, 2011 - 08:21 "I thought he was a man, but he was just a little boy." Oh yeah, been right there with ya sister.... |
| WonderLizard (2,755.46 mi. due east of Paradise) | Posted: Sep 05, 2011 - 09:31 JGM wrote: Yikes - for all the (mostly deserved) slagging Eddie Vedder takes here, this woman has all those faults and more - untrained, unrefined voice, goaty vibrato, no sense of interpretation. Yes, I know, everybody is supposed to love Fiona above all other indie queens, but I haven't drunk that particular kool-aid. Don't forget to let us all know when your CD drops, okay? |
| Dahnyul | Posted: Aug 20, 2011 - 20:30 Gosh, Procliviites, I dont' think anyone suggested they were superior, just of a different bent regarding this particular artist. I guess you're just eminently superior to everyone who disagrees with you. Which Kool-Aid did you drink? |
| Proclivities (Carrboro, NC) | Posted: Jul 20, 2011 - 11:51 JGM wrote: Yikes - for all the (mostly deserved) slagging Eddie Vedder takes here, this woman has all those faults and more - untrained, unrefined voice, goaty vibrato, no sense of interpretation. Yes, I know, everybody is supposed to love Fiona above all other indie queens, but I haven't drunk that particular kool-aid. I guess you're just eminently superior to everyone who disagrees with you. Which Kool-Aid did you drink? Since when are vocal training and refinement required in rock music, anyhow? |
| SillyForever (now Melbourne, Australia) | Posted: Jun 18, 2011 - 19:37 I'm totally addicted to her voice, velvety but feels like a scratch... I could listen to her all day long. Love it. |
| sirdroseph (Yes) | Posted: May 18, 2011 - 05:01 Ahhh it is the best effort from my favorite talented and beautiful idiot! Sing Fiona, no talk.  8 |
| efaulkjr (San Antonio TX) | Posted: Apr 16, 2011 - 15:23 Always love Fiona! |
| Businessgypsy (Deepest, Darkest Florida) | Posted: Mar 31, 2011 - 18:52 heatsand68 wrote: How could you not love that big voice coming out of that tiny body. Great tone & interesting quality. She always sounded so knowing with her phrasing. Brilliant, and hard to reconcile with her youth. |
| Mandible | Posted: Feb 28, 2011 - 07:14 He said it's all in your head |
| muse_Kidd | Posted: Feb 12, 2011 - 19:44 <kiss> to the youth... keep going. |
| JGM | Posted: Sep 23, 2010 - 15:47 Yikes - for all the (mostly deserved) slagging Eddie Vedder takes here, this woman has all those faults and more - untrained, unrefined voice, goaty vibrato, no sense of interpretation. Yes, I know, everybody is supposed to love Fiona above all other indie queens, but I haven't drunk that particular kool-aid. |
| cohifi (Denver) | Posted: Aug 06, 2010 - 18:27 topherg87 wrote: for some reason i resisted liking this lady for longer than i would like to admit. this was one of the first songs that i heard that made me reconsider. glad i did! big fan now Nicely put! I could agree more but I won't....  |
| topherg87 (Austin, TX) | Posted: Apr 01, 2010 - 16:58 for some reason i resisted liking this lady for longer than i would like to admit. this was one of the first songs that i heard that made me reconsider. glad i did! big fan now |
| grbn (Eindhoven, Netherlands) | Posted: Feb 13, 2010 - 01:48 Fiona Apple - Paper Bag Portishead - Sour Times RJD2 - Smoke & Mirrors Bill, it is saturday morning 10.45 here, and you are definitely setting a perfect soundtrack for that: mellow, happy with life, without ignoring the melancholy and sharp edges that are there.... Thanks! |
| heatsand68 | Posted: Jan 28, 2010 - 14:36 How could you not love that big voice coming out of that tiny body. Great tone & interesting quality. |
| drife (Golden, CO) | Posted: Jan 12, 2010 - 15:20 Like all 90s twit singers, her time is long over, never to reappear, except perhaps at the local state fair grounds. |
| strawtarget | Posted: Jan 12, 2010 - 15:19 She's written a lot of great songs, but I think this one is just *perfect*. 10. |
| rtwingo (Out of my mind (be right back)) | Posted: Nov 26, 2009 - 18:20 This song has one of my all time favourite videos (with the kids in the bar). Can't seem to find it at Youtube...  A 10 song from a 10 album, anyway. |
| countyman (09 Stanley Cup Champs and Sixburgh) | Posted: Oct 10, 2009 - 08:25 Mandible wrote: Does anyone know what Fiona is doing now? She disappeared. Makes me so SAD! I was just about to write the same thing, except for the SAD part. |
| Jared (South Central...MA) | Posted: Aug 08, 2009 - 07:13 Bridieboo wrote: Love this song!! I'd love to hear 'Carrion' as well. I approve this message |
| davin (Victoria, British Columbia) | Posted: Jul 07, 2009 - 15:14 Bit of a trainwreck of a mix into this |
| Mandible | Posted: Apr 03, 2009 - 13:59 Does anyone know what Fiona is doing now? She disappeared. Makes me so SAD! |
| von_Hayek (Fr-Su Duesseldorf, Mo-Th Magdeburg) | Posted: Feb 15, 2009 - 11:00 He (almost) did it again... |
| backasjac | Posted: Jan 30, 2009 - 15:44 Danny_G wrote: Fiona Apple - Paper Bag Portishead - Sour Times RJD2 - Smoke & Mirrors Massive Attack - Protection Great set!  i guess Bill really likes this set. Fourth time he has played it in a year! |
| strawtarget | Posted: Jan 30, 2009 - 11:46 chordcloud wrote: Search Youtube or Fiona's Sony-run website for the video as well - I think it's spledid, too. The video is *awesome*. |
| Danny_G (Lima) | Posted: Nov 28, 2008 - 06:05 Fiona Apple - Paper Bag Portishead - Sour Times RJD2 - Smoke & Mirrors Massive Attack - Protection Great set! |
| Bridieboo (Halifax, NS) | Posted: Nov 28, 2008 - 06:04 Love this song!! I'd love to hear 'Carrion' as well. |
| agnes (ReF*ckingDondo!!!) | Posted: Nov 12, 2008 - 14:16 Even though I'm way past it, evil me is gonna come out and dedicate this one to you, J.  It's just kinda funny how perfect this song is. |
| vjvair | Posted: Sep 10, 2008 - 09:15 This is the first time I've heard this new song from Fiona, and I am just thrilled! Keep rockin' the great stuff. |
| kittyFP (in the woods, ohio) | Posted: Apr 05, 2008 - 17:21 I think this is her best song, fantastic Bacharach sound with her soulful voice; great lyric |
| jcjoh | Posted: Mar 20, 2008 - 20:37 "Criminal" is her other "best" song. Not played? |
| chordcloud (uk / de) | Posted: Feb 18, 2008 - 09:00 Josephine wrote: One of Fiona's best imo. lyrics,melody,instrumentation. all there!
Couldn't agree more. Search Youtube or Fiona's Sony-run website for the video as well - I think it's spledid, too. |
| EssexTex (Riding the range) | Posted: Feb 18, 2008 - 08:57 Apple...corr |
| gandalfbmg (3 mi from Paradise (Missouri)) | Posted: Feb 18, 2008 - 08:57 doctec wrote: 11:52 am - Fiona Apple - Paper Bag
11:48 am - Portishead - Sour Times 11:43 am - RJD2 - Smoke & Mirrors 11:36 am - Massive Attack - Protection Top-notch set!!!!!  Just got it replayed today, and still as excelent as ever... |
| milchschnitte (Hamburg, Germany) | Posted: Jan 02, 2008 - 07:49 evil sound. is this a cowgirl or something? :puke: |
| (former member) (Land of the Long White Cloud) | Posted: Dec 17, 2007 - 11:59 One of Fiona's best imo. lyrics,melody,instrumentation. all there! |
| doctec (Northeastern U.S.) | Posted: Dec 17, 2007 - 11:55 11:52 am - Fiona Apple - Paper Bag 11:48 am - Portishead - Sour Times 11:43 am - RJD2 - Smoke & Mirrors 11:36 am - Massive Attack - Protection Top-notch set!!!!! |
| agnes (the land of bourbon and horses) | Posted: Dec 01, 2007 - 22:29 Jeezus. This should be my theme song. |
| cubaninlondon | Posted: Oct 16, 2007 - 03:19 MissAmy wrote: Me too! On the Bound is mine. www.cubaninlondon.blogspot.com |
| MissAmy (Austin, TX) | Posted: Jul 13, 2007 - 08:55 hippiechick wrote: "A Mistake" is my theme song.
Me too! |
| Shesdifferent (Just visiting this planet) | Posted: Mar 09, 2007 - 19:42 ".....and I went crazy today, looking for a strand to climb, looking for a little hope" This has to be my ultimate favorite Fiona Apple song. |
| ThePoose | Posted: Jan 08, 2007 - 12:06 I would like some apple pie that I would eat at the Y. |
| BigTimber (Oroville (22 miles from RP)) | Posted: Jan 08, 2007 - 12:01 reminds me of an angry fairy, I love it. 9 |