When a Song Ends in a Minor Key: The Complete Biography of Fiona Apple Using Her Own Words

by Jared Woods

"I extract the negative stuff. I put it in a thing and I bring out all the bad stuff. And I serve it up to everyone so that they'll give me attention. And it poisons everyone, so they only listen to it when they're in messed-up places. And it's a good sign when they stop listening to me, because that means that they're not hurting themselves on purpose." - Fiona Apple
At the tender age of 19, Fiona Apple was thrust into the limelight with her debut, Tidal , instantly becoming the poster child for mental trauma and the unhealthy 'heroin chic' body standard. However, as the decades passed, album after album, she defied these labels, emerging as a generation-defining artist, underscored by her multiple Grammy Award wins and with Pitchfork calling her latest offering, Fetch the Bolt Cutters , the greatest record in over a decade.

When a Song Ends in a Minor Key is compiled using quotes from hundreds of interviews, covering Fiona’s perspectives on music, relationships, and life in general. We further dedicate many pages to each of her releases, including When the Pawn , Extraordinary Machine , and Idler Wheel , refusing to leave any information out. This exhilarating format allows Fiona Apple to tell her own story, detailing how she overcame her addictions and disorders by opening her heart for the whole world to see. By being authentically herself without compromise, she has risen as one of the most influential songwriters in contemporary music, and it is about time such a publication praised her worth.

This celebrity biography was written by Jared Woods, the author of the phenomenally popular Lana Del Rey book F**ked My Way Up To The Top , which is also available now.

390 pages, Paperback

Published July 30, 2024

About the author

Born in South Africa and now a homeless nomad, Jared has explored and gathered inspiration from over 70 countries and counting. Additionally, he reads the central scripture from a different religion every year, deepening his understanding of numerous faiths and cultures. This curiosity and dedication to broad theology have greatly influenced his latest fiction book, "The Lamb Prophecy", where Jared blends fantasy with deep spiritual themes, constructing a world rich with combined mythology.

Jared is also the author of the “In Her Own Words” series of biographies about female musicians. Thus far, these include "Stay Soft, Get Eaten" for Mitski, "When a Song Ends in a Minor Key" for Fiona Apple, and the phenomenally popular "F**ked My Way Up To The Top" for Lana Del Rey. These are available right now.

There are many other works under Jared's name, such as the spiritual philosophy of the "Janthopoyism Bible", the self-help publication "Heartbreak Sucks! How to Get Over Your Breakup in 30 Days", and the collection of short stories "Licking the Bottom of the Love Jar".

Keep up with Jared on Instagram @legotrip

Reviews

[Selah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fiona Apple Biography Review

“I extract the negative stuff. I put it in a thing and I bring out all the bad stuff. And I serve it up to everyone so that they’ll give me attention. And it poisons everyone, so they only listen to it when they’re in fucked-up places. And it’s a good sign when they stop listening to me, because that means that they’re not hurting themselves on purpose.”
- Fiona Apple

I’m starting to become a bigger fan of biographies, especially of well named artists in the music industry. Fiona Apple has always been a distant name to me but reading this book has helped me learn so much more about her that would have taken forever to do by just googling her name.

Jared Woods never misses with the amazing detailed biographies. I’m always so intrigued about the artist’s way of becoming who they are from how organized the information is in the book.


Quotes by Fiona Apple

“I like who I am now, and I wouldn’t be who I am if that hadn’t happened.”

“How much strength does it take to hurt a little girl? How much strength does it take for the girl to get over it? Which one of them do you think is stronger?


Thank you so much to Booksprout for giving me this arc!!
(I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.)

[Milz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well researched biography of the wonderful and talented Fiona Apple, with fab commentary and storytelling supporting all the direct quotes provided.

I loved the format of Jared’s previous book (about Lana del Rey), and this one follows the same easy-to-read pattern. Was awesome to learn more about an artist I knew so little about going in.

[Geff Ratcheson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been a fan of Ms. Apple since Tidal, but really didn't know much about her other than the albums; so this was a no brainer for me.

The author uses a rather unique format: he'll write a paragraph or 2, & then flesh it out with quotes from Fiona.

I definitely came away knowing quite a bit more about the artist behind the great music she's released. I also learned that there are 2 complete but different versions of her 3rd album, Extraordinary Machine. Now I have to find the unreleased version!

The only thing I was aware of that's missing is her live version of Trump roasting nuts to the tune of the Christmas song; though he does mention another anti Trump song from Fiona that I wasn't aware of.

Fiona comes across as a good & strong person who has successfully defeated a number of challenges, including turning addiction into 100% sobriety.

While the unique format took a little while to get comfortable with, I recommend this for any fans of Ms Apple.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Thomas Thieme · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an informative book on Fiona's life and work. Its emphasis is on thoroughness and detail regarding her discography. If you are interested in finding out about what songs she has done outside her albums, you will find it useful. There are also recommended URLs to explore. Using Fiona's exact words proves to be insightful as she is quite articulate apart from her lyrics writing. The author is clearly a fan so the book lacks a little objectivity but he doesn't go overboard with the adoration. I'm pretty sure Ms. Apple would be the first to climb down any pedestal she was placed on so she deserves a balanced assessment. So if you are looking for more information about Fiona, this is a fine place to start.

[Kerri-Lynn Mossop · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jared takes a whole new stance on biographies. I absolutely loved the raw nature of words that came in direct quotes from the mouth of Fiona- it seemed the author was less about putting words and adding dramatic twists and more focused on hearing it ‘straight from the artists mouth’ - by page 84 I wanted to sit down and have a conversation with Fiona face to face, no hidden agendas. Jared woods has masterfully captured her personality and her rawness, which is often drowned in an authors own views.

The only downside I would rate was that I wanted to hear more from and about Fiona and less about the music industry. She’s such an incredible and fascinating person and I felt like some of that was lost on the background facts and dates- but ultimately Jared woods has presented Fiona Apple exactly as she is without spoiling it with additional garb that comes from authors on their points of view!

Love it!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am happy this book exists and that someone took the time to write about Fiona Apple. I enjoyed the author’s use of her quotes to organize her life, but I wished there was more of a story or some of the author’s or fan’s opinions mixed into it. Good and bad. I would have liked a more critical look at the time where Extraordinary Machine was in limbo and her music since.

[Daphne Breukel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heel enig om te lezen over Fiona Apple, haar leven en haar kijk op muziek en de wereld :))

[Holly Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible book. Loved all the quote pop outs. Very creative. Her story is fascinating and we have the same birthday and love for pit bulls and music and bad taste in men. Great book.