When the Pawn...

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Template:Short description Template:DMCA Script error: No such module "Unsubst-infobox".Script error: No such module "Check for conflicting parameters". When the Pawn...[a] is the second studio album by the American singer-songwriter Fiona Apple. It was released on November 9, 1999, through Epic Records.[1] The recording was produced by Jon Brion. It is noted for its original 90-word title—then a record for the longest album title—which Apple wrote as a poem in response to a negative cover story published by Spin.

The album received positive reviews from critics and was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album.[2] Although early attention often focused on its lengthy title and Apple's public image at the time, When the Pawn… has been increasingly recognized as one of the most acclaimed albums of its era. It has frequently appeared on retrospective "best of" lists, ranking number 79 on Slant Magazine's list of the best albums of the 1990s,[3] number 106 on Spin's 2010 list of the greatest albums of the previous 25 years,[4] and number 108 on Rolling Stone's 2020 list of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time".[5]

Background and recording

Album conception

When the Pawn… came off the success and controversy of Tidal, her debut album. She had faced a lot of public scrutiny, specifically for her 1997 VMA speech, where she famously stated, "this world is bullshit". The speech urges viewers to be themselves and not compare or change themselves because of the media they are consuming. This outburst came as a response to backlash from her "Criminal" music video.[6] She would continue to have a negative attitude towards the media. Fiona stated that writing music began as a response to fighting with her parents but became cathartic in her life. Apple writes her own music about past experiences she has dealt with. Many songs on the album speak about tumultuous relationships with others as well as with herself. The tumultuous relationship that inspired many of the songs on this album is thought to be with Paul Thomas Anderson.[7] The two were together from 1997-2002. The couple began doing drugs together, where Apple would then start a long road of addiction and later recovery which affected later albums.[8] When the Pawn… reflected all these circumstances around the production.

Title

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When the pawn hits the conflicts he thinks like a king
What he knows throws the blows when he goes to the fight
And he'll win the whole thing 'fore he enters the ring
There's no body to batter when your mind is your might
So when you go solo, you hold your own hand
And remember that depth is the greatest of heights
And if you know where you stand, then you know where to land
And if you fall it won't matter, cuz you'll know that you're right

The title is a poem Apple wrote in response to unfavorable reactions from readers to a Spin cover story about her.[9] Apple said: "It came from being made fun of, and then, of course, it becomes a thing I'm being made fun of for."[10] Richard Harrington of The Washington Post called it Apple's version of the Chumbawamba lyric "I get knocked down, but I get up again" from their 1997 single "Tubthumping".[9]Template:R/superscript

When the Pawn... broke the record for longest album title at 444 characters (previously held by a volume in The Best... Album in the World...Ever!),[11][12] though this record was subsequently broken.[b]

Composition and lyrics

According to Katherine St. Asaph of Pitchfork: "When the Pawn… is about knowing your patterns, knowing the rubble they’ve made of your life—and knowing you’ll do it again." Asaph also said: "[Apple's] vocal roles are larger-than-life: precise and unsingably fast, fit for a technical rapper, or open-throated and dramatic, like a stage diva commandeering an encore."[14]

Release

The first single, "Fast as You Can", was fairly popular and received moderate radio and video airplay. It reached the top 20 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and became Apple's first top 40 hit on the UK Singles Chart. The follow-up singles, "Limp" and especially "Paper Bag", which was nominated for a Grammy Award, were less successful. Apple's boyfriend at the time, filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson, directed the videos for all three singles.[15]

In 2019, Apple collaborated with King Princess on a cover of "I Know". The song was released for Spotify's RISE program on January 25.[16]

A reissue by Vinyl Me Please was announced in 2020 featuring a new cover chosen by Fiona herself, marking the album's first ever vinyl pressing.[17]

Reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic79/100[18]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStarStarHalf star[19]
Chicago Sun-TimesStarStarStarHalf star[20]
Entertainment WeeklyA[21]
The GuardianStarStarStarFile:Star empty.svgFile:Star empty.svg[22]
The IndependentStarStarStarFile:Star empty.svgFile:Star empty.svg[23]
Los Angeles TimesStarStarStarHalf star[24]
NME5/10[25]
Pitchfork8.0/10 (1999)[26]
9.4/10 (2019)[27]
QStarStarStarStarFile:Star empty.svg[28]
Rolling StoneStarStarStarHalf starFile:Star empty.svg[29]
Slant MagazineStarStarStarFile:Star empty.svgFile:Star empty.svg[30]
Spin8/10[31]
The Village VoiceA−[32]

Critical reception

In comparison to Apple's debut album Tidal, Harrington stated, "When the Pawn is a decidedly more mature work that trades in youthful melodrama for somber ruminations on shattered relationships and romantic obsession".[9]Template:R/superscript In The New Rolling Stone Album Guide, Jenny Eliscu states that Pawn is "more musically complex and melodically advanced" than the previous album, while focusing on Apple's "sultry voice and moody piano playing".[1]Template:R/superscript Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone gave the album three-and-a-half out of five stars, calling it "richer, deeper and stronger than Tidal, in every way", with "a far more muscular approach to both the songs and the singing".[29]Template:R/superscript

Entertainment WeeklyTemplate:'s David Browne awarded the album an A grade, praising Jon Brion's production as well as Apple's songwriting: "Apple hasn't gained much in psychic confidence following the success of Tidal. On When the Pawn..., Apple presents herself as a mental shambles, and she's more than happy to tell us about it."[21] Pitchfork originally gave the album a score of eight out of ten, with reviewer Chip Chanko praising Apple's lyrics, writing: "[Apple] seems older. Her voice is full of a heartfelt soul that seems almost timeless. While Billie Holiday would never have considered the possibility of lines like, 'It won't be long till you'll be/ Lying limp in your own hand,' Apple executes them flawlessly with a modern passion."[33] Amy Linden of Vibe wrote: "When the Pawn... is full of images that resonate. Apple's a sad, sultry woman with a sense of who she is—even if that person isn't someone she wants to be. Once again, her pain brings us joy."[34] In contrast, Piers Martin of NME rated it a 5 out of 10, calling it Apple's "second album of Amos-aping MTV-branded Lilith Fair fodder."[25]

Commercial performance

On the U.S. Billboard 200, When the Pawn... debuted and peaked at number 13 with 103,000 copies sold in first week.[35] On March 26, 2020, When the Pawn.. was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.[36]

Track listing

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Personnel

Musicians

  • Fiona Apple – vocals, piano
  • Jon Brion – "all other instruments"[c] (except "Love Ridden")
  • Mike Elizondo – bass (except "I Know")
  • Matt Chamberlain – drums, percussion (except "A Mistake", "I Know")
  • Mike Breaux – woodwinds (1, 3, 7)
  • Patrick Warren – Chamberlin (2, 3, 7, 9), Wurlitzer (3, 7)
  • Charlie Bisharat, Eve Butler, Susan Chatman, Armen Garabedian, Berj Garabedian, Gerardo Hilera, Peter Kent, Brian Leonard, Robert Peterson, Michele Richards, Edmund Stein, John Wittenberg – violin (4, 9, 10)
  • Robert Becker, Denyse Buffman, Scott Haupert, Maria Newman – viola (4, 9, 10)
  • Larry Corbett, Paula Hochalter, Suzie Katayama, Daniel Smith – cello (4, 9, 10)
  • Greg Cohen – bass guitar (10)
  • Jonathan "Butch" Norton – drums, percussion (2, 3)
  • Jim Keltner – drums (10)
  • Wendell Kelly, Jean Martinelli, John Noreyko, Paul Loredo – horns (5)

Technical personnel

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  • Jon Brion – producer, mixing engineer, assistant engineer
  • Rich Costey – mixing engineer
  • Eddy Scheyer – mastering engineer
  • Ian Sefchick – mastering engineer (2020 LP)
  • Tom Banghart, Rob Brill, Greg Collins, Bryan Jackson, Steve Mixdorf, John Tyree – assistant engineer
  • Fiona Apple – design, cover art concept

Charts

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Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[39] Gold 100,000 
United Kingdom (BPI)[40] Silver 60,000 
United States (RIAA)[41] Platinum 1,000,000 

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Notes

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  1. ^ Full title: When the Pawn Hits the Conflicts He Thinks Like a King What He Knows Throws the Blows When He Goes to the Fight and He'll Win the Whole Thing 'Fore He Enters the Ring There's No Body to Batter When Your Mind Is Your Might So When You Go Solo, You Hold Your Own Hand and Remember That Depth Is the Greatest of Heights and If You Know Where You Stand, Then You Know Where to Land and If You Fall It Won't Matter, Cuz You'll Know That You're Right.
  2. ^ Soulwax's Most of the Remixes, released in 2007, broke Apple's record with 552 characters.[13] Their record was itself broken in 2008 by Chumbawamba, whose album title The Boy Bands Have Won has 865 characters.[12]
  3. ^ bass, keyboards, vibraphone, guitars, drums, percussion

References

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  1. ^ a b Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Eliscu, Jenny (2004). "Fiona Apple". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian D. (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). New York: Fireside. p. 23. ISBN 0-74-320169-8. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  2. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Fiona Apple". GRAMMY.com. May 22, 2018. Archived from the original on May 28, 2020. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  3. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Best Albums of the '90s". Slant. February 14, 2011. Archived from the original on February 18, 2011. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
  4. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."125 Best Albums of the Past 25 Years". Spin. February 15, 2012. Archived from the original on September 29, 2013. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  5. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time". Rolling Stone. September 22, 2020. Archived from the original on October 8, 2020. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  6. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Fiona Apple's iconic "this world is bullsh*t" speech". Far Out. May 14, 2022. Retrieved April 4, 2025.
  7. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Berman, Judy. "Fiona Apple: When the Pawn..." Pitchfork. Retrieved April 4, 2025.
  8. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Haylock, Zoe (March 16, 2020). "Fiona Apple Details Ugly Relationship With Paul Thomas Anderson". Vulture. Retrieved April 4, 2025.
  9. ^ a b c Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Harrington, Richard (November 28, 1999). "Fiona Apple: The Time Is Ripe". The Washington Post. p. G1. Archived from the original on January 1, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
  10. ^ Sutcliffe, Phil, "Hard Core Pawn", Q, March 2000, pp. 46-48
  11. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Cossar, Neil (2010). This Day in Music: An Every Day Record of Musical Feats and Facts: An Every Day Record of Musical Feats and Facts. Omnibus Press. p. 395. ISBN 978-0-857-12362-6.
  12. ^ a b Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Mench, Chris (June 5, 2014). "12 Guinness World Records That Exist For No Real Reason". Complex. Archived from the original on June 25, 2018. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  13. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Fischer, Reed (September 12, 2011). "The Ten Longest Album Titles Ever". New Times Broward-Palm Beach. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
  14. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.St. Asaph, Katherine (September 28, 2022). "The 150 Best Albums of the 1990s". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  15. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Sharf, Zack (October 4, 2017). "The Complete Paul Thomas Anderson Music Video Collection, From Fiona Apple to Radiohead — Watch". IndieWire. Archived from the original on June 19, 2020. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
  16. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Lorusso, Marissa (January 25, 2019). "King Princess and Fiona Apple Collaborate on New Version of 'I Know'". NPR. Archived from the original on January 26, 2019. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
  17. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."VMP on Instagram: "♟ at long last... 'When the Pawn' is here on 180g black vinyl for the first time ever. With a new cover picked by Fiona Apple herself, and a special price for VMP members."".
  18. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Reviews for When The Pawn... by Fiona Apple". Metacritic. Archived from the original on November 7, 2016. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
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  20. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Reed, Bobby (November 14, 1999). "Fiona Apple, 'When the Pawn . . .' (Clean Slate/Epic)". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on November 18, 2018. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
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  22. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Mulholland, Gary (February 25, 2000). "Wounded to the Core". The Guardian.
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  24. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Gardner, Elysa (November 9, 1999). "Assured Apple Challenges Her Audience". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on April 21, 2016. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
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  39. ^ Script error: No such module "cite". Select 2007年1月 on the drop-down menu
  40. ^ Script error: No such module "cite". Select albums in the Formats field. Type When The Pawn Fiona Apple in the "Search:" field.
  41. ^ Script error: No such module "cite".

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