Fiona Apple is a talented composer, lyricist, and is one of the best artists to release a debut album in the 90s. Her music is carefully written and if she isn't inducted within her first 10 years of eligibility it will be a mistake.

Posted by Max W on Saturday, 04/8/2017 @ 14:31pm

Her new album Fetch the Bolt Cutters is out now, and is being acclaimed by many reviews as a masterpiece. She's got some impressive longevity, being relevant now, 24 years after her debut. I see an induction in her future. Probably won't be immediate, but it'll happen.

Posted by RG on Saturday, 04/18/2020 @ 01:43am

That's 5/5 albums acclaimed! Sure in.

Posted by Dave Teves on Monday, 12/7/2020 @ 11:15am

Fiona Apple is a modern Kate Bush, Laura Nyro, and Tori Amos wrapped in one beautiful package. What a gifted songwriter and talent. 5 for 5 on albums as well. Deserves first ballot induction. 'Tidal' and 'When the Pawn' in particular would be statement pieces for any artist's catalogue. Love that she takes her time with albums as well, she's like Sade in that regard. Perfects everything and then only puts it out. 10/10 artist, love Fiona Apple, hope she's inducted because she deserves it.

Posted by Thomas Nelson on Thursday, 11/4/2021 @ 19:28pm

unlike one or two album wonders like Cyndie Lauper, Alanis Morrissette who peaked early Apple is doing her best and most in innovative stuff now. Of course she should be in but not before Kate Bush and Bjork. Fione had more great songs on her last album than Bon Jovi, Chicago or Journey had in their whole careers.

Posted by vittorio carli on Saturday, 11/13/2021 @ 17:18pm

Isn't Fiona Apple a one-hit wonder? Her one hit was "Criminal" wasn't it?

Posted by Brian Schonour on Wednesday, 09/7/2022 @ 21:36pm

Brian Schonour

Not unless you also count Beck as one. She's had multiple hits on adult alternative radio, 2 platinum and a gold album, and all of her albums have scored universal acclaim including one that achieved the only 10.0/10 from Pitchfork in the last decade.

Posted by Mat r on Thursday, 09/8/2022 @ 06:59am

Critical darling for no good reason. Fetch the Bolt Cutters is really bad. She also isn't very prolific. Bjork is leagues above her.

Posted by Jim C. on Sunday, 07/20/2025 @ 22:25pm

I am kind of interested in the Fiona Apple case.

She is well deserving. She has three albums in Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums list, and most acts who achieve this are already seen as obvious legends.

She has two platinum albums and one gold album in the US, which is very impressive considering her musical style. She also has a #21 hit on the Billboard chart.

I think the industry is willing to give her flowers. She received awards from MTV (you know, John Sykes and Rick Krim are MTV guys) and a Grammy for Best Alternative Album. She should not be the kind of act that has problems with the industry — it seems the music industry has been quite kind to her.

But on the other hand, she also seems isolated from the industry by her own choice. She does not follow the rules or stereotypes of the music industry, which is probably disliked by some people inside the industry.

I am interested in thinking about how industry people would push for her in nomination committees, and whether they would vote for her or against her. Her case seems a little complex to me.

Posted by james on Saturday, 02/7/2026 @ 19:08pm

I think she has an exteemeiy clear case. Five great albums, some commercial success. I think she'll get in the next five years.

Posted by David Richman on Thursday, 03/12/2026 @ 11:48am