I’ve always loved music. Later in life I would make playlists on Cassette, CD’s and now on thumbdrives. With these posts I’ll reminisce about some of my all-time favorite songs.
“Criminal” is a song by American singer-songwriter Fiona Apple, released as the third single from her debut album, “Tidal,” on September 16, 1997. The song gained significant attention for its provocative lyrics and Apple’s raw, emotive vocals. It marked a breakthrough moment in her career, earning her critical acclaim and establishing her as a unique voice in the alternative music scene.
The lyrics of “Criminal” explore themes of guilt, desire, and self-awareness. Apple’s introspective and confessional style contributed to the song’s emotional intensity. The provocative nature of the lyrics, coupled with Apple’s sultry delivery, sparked both praise and controversy.
The chorus, with lines like “What I need is a good defense / ‘Cause I’m feeling like a criminal,” resonated with listeners and became a defining element of the song. The music video for “Criminal” further fueled the song’s impact. Directed by Mark Romanek[1], the video features a dark and moody aesthetic, with Apple surrounded by a cast of enigmatic characters.
The video’s sensuality and imagery generated attention, contributing to the overall allure of the song. “Criminal” received several accolades, including the Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance in 1998. The success of the song and the accompanying album helped establish Fiona Apple as a notable figure in the 1990s alternative music scene. The critical acclaim and commercial success of “Tidal” paved the way for Apple’s continued career, marked by a series of highly regarded albums.
US CD, 7-inch, and cassette single
- “Criminal” – 5:41
- “Sleep to Dream” (live) – 4:35
Criminal written by Fiona Apple
I've been a bad bad girl
I've been careless with my delicate man
And its a sad sad world
When a girl will break a boy
Just because she can
Don't you tell me to deny it
I've done wrong and I want to
Suffer for my sins
I've come to you 'cause I need
Guidance to be true
And I just don't know where I can begin
What I need is a good defense
'Cause I'm feelin' like a criminal
And I need to redeemed
To the one I've sinned against
Because he's all I ever knew of love
Heaven help me for the way I am
Save me from these evil deeds before I get them done
I know tomorrow brings the consequence at hand
But I keep livin' this day like
The next will never come
Oh help me but don't tell me to deny it
I've got to cleanse myself
Of all these lies till I'm good enough for him
I've got a lot to lose and I'm bettin' high
So I'm beggin' you before it ends
Just tell me where to begin
What I need is a good defense
'Cause I'm feelin' like a criminal
And I need to redeemed
To the one I've sinned against
Because he's all I ever knew of love
Let me know the way
Before there's hell to pay
Give me room to lay the law and let me go
I've got to make a play
To make my lover stay
So what would an angel say
The devil wants to know
What I need is a good defense
'Cause I'm feelin' like a criminal
And I need to redeemed
To the one I've sinned against
Because he's all I ever knew of love
What I need is a good defense
'Cause I'm feelin' like a criminal
And I need to redeemed
To the one I've sinned against
Because he's all I ever knew of love
Footnotes
- Mark Romanek is an American filmmaker and music video director known for his visually distinctive and emotionally evocative work. Born on September 18, 1959, in Chicago, Illinois, Romanek gained prominence directing music videos for iconic artists such as Madonna (“Bedtime Story”) and Michael Jackson (“Scream”). His directorial debut in feature films came with the critically acclaimed “One Hour Photo” (2002), starring Robin Williams. Romanek’s meticulous attention to detail and his ability to create atmospheres that resonate with the narrative have made him a sought-after director in both the music and film industries. While he has a relatively small filmography, each project showcases his unique artistic vision and storytelling prowess. Despite being selective in his film projects, Romanek continues to be a respected figure in the world of visual storytelling. [Back]
Further Reading
Sources
- “Fiona Apple’s ‘Criminal’ and the Art of Desire” – Rolling Stone [https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/fiona-apple-criminal-tidal-1997-116171/]
- “Fiona Apple: ‘Criminal'” – NPR [https://www.npr.org/2018/12/03/673775567/the-anatomy-of-a-song-fiona-apples-criminal]
- “Tidal” https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/fiona-apple/tidal/
- “Fiona Apple – Criminal” https://www.discogs.com/release/2723014-Fiona-Apple-Criminal
- “Criminal (Fiona Apple song)” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criminal_(Fiona_Apple_song)
- IMDb. (n.d.). Mark Romanek. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005379/
- AllMusic. (n.d.). Mark Romanek. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/mark-romanek-mn0000296605
- The Criterion Collection. (n.d.). Mark Romanek. https://www.criterion.com/collections/1087-mark-romanek
