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Fiona Apple — Extraordinary Machine
Album: Extraordinary Machine
Avg rating:
6.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 872









Released: 2005
Length: 3:41
Plays (last 30 days): 0
I certainly haven't been shopping for any new shoes
And
I certainly haven't been spreading myself around
I still only travel by foot, and by foot it's a slow climb
But I'm good at being uncomfortable, so
I can't stop changing all the time

I notice that my opponent is always on the go
And
Won't go slow, so's not to focus, and I notice
He'll hitch a ride with any guide
As long as they go fast from whence he came
But he's no good at being uncomfortable, so
He can't stop staying exactly the same

If there was a better way to go then it would find me
I can't help it, the road just rolls out behind me
Be kind to me, or treat me mean
I'll make the most of it, I'm an extraordinary machine

I seem to you to seek a new disaster every day
You deem me due to clean my view and be at piece and lay
I mean to prove I mean to move in my own way, and say
I've been getting along for long before you came into the play

I am the baby of the family, it happens, so
Everybody cares and wears the sheep's clothes while they chaperon
Curious you looking down your nose at me
While you appease courteous to try and help
But let me set your mind at ease

If there was a better way to go then it would find me
I can't help it, the road just rolls out behind me
Be kind to me, or treat me mean
I'll make the most of it, I'm an extraordinary machine

Do I so worry you,
You need to hurry to my side?
It's very kind
But it's to no avail
And I don't want the bail
I promise you, everything will be just fine

If there was a better way to go then it would find me
I can't help it, the road just rolls out behind me
Be kind to me, or treat me mean
I'll make the most of it, I'm an extraordinary machine

Oh, if there was a better way to go, then it would find me
I can't help it, the road just rolls out behind me
Be kind to me or treat me mean
I'll make the most of it, I'm an extraordinary machine
Comments (175)add comment
i didn't know fiona could be this whimsical. nice.

brings this to mind
 emmidad wrote:
I could have gone all day without hearing this song.
 
But what about tomorrow?  Given nine years have passed since your comment, you probably already know the answer.
10
Aunt/10
Not doing it for me...    on another day, I'll give it another chance.


This is great. It has the feel of a tongue-in-cheek tune from a 40s or 50s musical...


Folks, relax! She plays with the pronunciation of "Extraordinary to fit the music and rhyme scheme. Not such a big deal.  


10/10.
Too good.
 eprokopowicz wrote:
make it stop

 
No bother - press PSD. Instant relief. Me, I'll spend all day listening to Ms Apple.
make it stop
Don't normally go for Fiona Apple. For some reason, this one song hit the spot just right.
 ginger wrote:

From the first dictionary I consulted: ex-traor-di-nar-y | ikˈstrôrdnˌerē. Most people I know don't add the extRA syllable.
 
Neither do I, but she's singing ex-TOR-di-nar-y, which is just bad.

I could have gone all day without hearing this song.
Quirky cute with an identifiable message. {#Music}
 Mandible wrote:

I don't see how it's narcissistic. I think it's about being strong and not crumbling when life is hard or someone is an asshole to you. It's about saying "F off!" and finding a strong sense of yourself so you are not affected by other people's negativity.  Be kind to me or treat me mean, I'll make the most of it...I'm an extraordinary machine.

 

Well said.
Bill? Please stay off the magic mushrooms when compiling playlists.

Thank you.

{#Mrgreen} 

A solid 2 

This is one of the few songs I like off this album.  IMO, nothing will ever beat "When the pond...," which is definitely in my top five favorite albums. 


 mybaldbird wrote:
Quite a narcissistic song, I somehow doubt she was being sarcastic. Fuck narcissism, stop singing about it.
 
I don't see how it's narcissistic. I think it's about being strong and not crumbling when life is hard or someone is an asshole to you. It's about saying "F off!" and finding a strong sense of yourself so you are not affected by other people's negativity.  Be kind to me or treat me mean, I'll make the most of it...I'm an extraordinary machine.

I was going to joke that this sounds like a happy FIona Apple. Then I saw that it was.

I met her once in LA with her boyfriend (PTA). She's a tiny thing. Quiet as a mouse. Said nothing the entire time.Wild how you can have such an extroverted artist but such a quiet person.
NOT 4 ME

 brokemusician wrote:
I think this would be Fiona's last album.

Are those wasabi peas in the cover? I bet those are organic!
 

More like orgasmic.
 Burningstar wrote:
I think I'm one of the few people that like this song and most of the songs off of this album. Of course, I'm a big Fiona fan. Yes, it's the lips!

 

Which ones?
 ginger wrote:

From the first dictionary I consulted: ex-traor-di-nar-y | ikˈstrôrdnˌerē. Most people I know don't add the extRA syllable.
 
Neither  Bill nor I do either.

Quite a narcissistic song, I somehow doubt she was being sarcastic. Fuck narcissism, stop singing about it.
 maLeFunKtion wrote:
Okay, so I used to like this song a wee bit, but after hearing it this time the thing that STILL stands out and irritates me the most is Fiona's inability to say the "ra" part in extRAordinary.

Honestly, all I could hear yet again was extordinary machine over and over. It was like a splinter in my mind. Arghhh {#Arghhh}
 
From the first dictionary I consulted: ex-traor-di-nar-y | ikˈstrôrdnˌerē. Most people I know don't add the extRA syllable.
Big Fiona Apple fan.  This song is no exception.
{#Tongue}one  apple  no wormies...yum...could eat up her tunes forever...and Bill ..You heard the awesome from the played...much better  much .....
the CD  is great  the unrehearsed............Priceless

This is not as good as the version in the CD I have (official release in Israel), so I'd only give it a 9.
this apple is rotting at the core . . . . .  but the girl is hot!!

 maLeFunKtion wrote:
Okay, so I used to like this song a wee bit, but after hearing it this time the thing that STILL stands out and irritates me the most is Fiona's inability to say the "ra" part in extRAordinary.

Honestly, all I could hear yet again was extordinary machine over and over. It was like a splinter in my mind. Arghhh {#Arghhh}

 
Kind of like when Alanis says, "And who would have thought — it figgers?"

nice, including bugs - 6.
Okay, so I used to like this song a wee bit, but after hearing it this time the thing that STILL stands out and irritates me the most is Fiona's inability to say the "ra" part in extRAordinary.

Honestly, all I could hear yet again was extordinary machine over and over. It was like a splinter in my mind. Arghhh {#Arghhh}

 Pyro wrote:
What do people see in Fiona? Seriously.

This is annoying.

  I like her music. I also like the fact that she writes her own music, and is in the studio the whole time it's produced to make sure it comes out the way she wants it to. I respect that. Whether you like her music or not, at least she's true to her art.
I think I'm one of the few people that like this song and most of the songs off of this album. Of course, I'm a big Fiona fan. Yes, it's the lips!

This song rolls out behind me
Pyro wrote:
What do people see in Fiona? Seriously.
Lips?
What do people see in Fiona? Seriously. This is annoying.
good lord this sucks. i think this may be the first 1 - sucko-barfo that i've given.
musikalia wrote:
...and hot: ?
but you'd better be careful, she's a bad, bad girl. she's been careless with a delicate man...
what's the meaning of the cover art?
I noticed you don't play this song's twin: Julie London's 'Girl Talk' https://www.radioparadise.com/graphics/smiles/high-five.gif high-five
Or the see-through kind which you can get in one of those expensive detox clinics in desert CA. In this case the placebo (effect) flows right past your eyes! skindy wrote:
You naysayers don't just need to poop, you need high colonics. This song is fantastic! I love how expressive Fiona is in her vocals. "Be kind to her, or treat her mean / She'll make the most of it, she's an extraordinary machine."
Like fingernails on a blackboard.
I have to say, she exceeded my low expectations. Apple's most interesting work.
You naysayers don't just need to poop, you need high colonics. This song is fantastic! I love how expressive Fiona is in her vocals. "Be kind to her, or treat her mean / She'll make the most of it, she's an extraordinary machine."
Ugh. What's with all the lounge lizard sounding women in this set?
OhMy wrote:
Extraordinarily quirky, I like it & I love her! Now I need to poop!
Walrus_Gumbo wrote:
This (song?), also makes me want to poop, but not in a good way!
You too!!?!!
Next time you're in LA, head to a little club called Largo. If you're lucky enough to be there on a night Ms Apple gets up, I guarantee you'll be blown away.
JerseeeGirl wrote:
She is soooo talented. Also fun to listen to.
...and hot: ?
There's a quirky old song by Marlene Dietrich, "A Man I Know" that features banjo and bassoon and some percussion I cant identify. I like it better than this.
I just cannot warm up to Ms. Apple. She just sounds fake to me.
this is one of those that i admit is quite brilliant, but one that you wont catch me listening to anytime soon.
OhMy wrote:
Extraordinarily quirky, I like it & I love her! Now I need to poop!
This (song?), also makes me want to poop, but not in a good way!
ndanger666 wrote:
Ghastly. I can only assume that this is some sort of a test to see how much musical indigity we will put up with.
I find this song tolerable (just), but I loved your comment.
OhMy wrote:
Extraordinarily quirky, I like it & I love her! Now I need to poop!
Too much information!!! I am groovin' on this song. Go, Fiona!
weevilkinevil wrote:
Less dreary than her old stuff. It's a fun song, but I don't think I could stand to listen to it more than... well, this one time.
You got that right.
I thought this was about my desktop PC :)~
She is soooo talented. Also fun to listen to.
Extraordinarily quirky, I like it & I love her! Now I need to poop!
dmax wrote:
I like it. Ballsy and unusual and in-your-face. If there was a better way to go, it would find me.
Agreed!!! This woman knows where it's at!!! Kick it, girl!!!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Extraordinary Machine" I certainly haven't been shopping for any new shoes -And- I certainly haven't been spreading myself around I still only travel by foot and by foot, it's a slow climb, But I'm good at being uncomfortable, so I can't stop changing all the time I notice that my opponent is always on the go -And- Won't go slow, so's not to focus, and I notice He'll hitch a ride with any guide, as long as They go fast from whence he came - But he's no good at being uncomfortable, so He can't stop staying exactly the same If there was a better way to go then it would find me I need to poop, the poop just rolls out behind me Be kind to me, or treat me mean I'll make the most of it, I'm an extraordinary machine I seem to you to seek a new disaster every day You deem me due to clean my view and be at piece and lay I mean to prove I mean to move in my own way, and say, I've been getting along for long before you came into the play I am the baby of the family, it happens, so - Everybody cares and wears the sheeps' clothes While they chaperone Curious, you looking down your nose at me, while you appease - Courteous, to try and help - but let me set your Mind at ease (Chorus) -Do I so worry you, you need to hurry to my side? -It's very kind But it's to no avail; I don't want the bail I promise you, everything will be just fine If there was a better way to go then it would find me I can't help it, the road just rolls out behind me Be kind to me, or treat me mean I'll make the most of it, I'm an extraordinary machine
"Extraordinary Machine" I certainly haven't been shopping for any new shoes -And- I certainly haven't been spreading myself around I still only travel by foot and by foot, it's a slow climb, But I'm good at being uncomfortable, so I can't stop changing all the time I notice that my opponent is always on the go -And- Won't go slow, so's not to focus, and I notice He'll hitch a ride with any guide, as long as They go fast from whence he came - But he's no good at being uncomfortable, so He can't stop staying exactly the same If there was a better way to go then it would find me I can't help it, the road just rolls out behind me Be kind to me, or treat me mean I'll make the most of it, I'm an extraordinary machine I seem to you to seek a new disaster every day You deem me due to clean my view and be at piece and lay I mean to prove I mean to move in my own way, and say, I've been getting along for long before you came into the play I am the baby of the family, it happens, so - Everybody cares and wears the sheeps' clothes While they chaperone Curious, you looking down your nose at me, while you appease - Courteous, to try and help - but let me set your Mind at ease (Chorus) -Do I so worry you, you need to hurry to my side? -It's very kind But it's to no avail; I don't want the bail I promise you, everything will be just fine If there was a better way to go then it would find me I can't help it, the road just rolls out behind me Be kind to me, or treat me mean I'll make the most of it, I'm an extraordinary machine
splooge wrote:
She said poop for real? That's cool. It's like she is saying, "hey, I poop just like everyone else." So, don't put her up on a pedestal ok?
"Extraordinary Machine" I certainly haven't been shopping for any new shoes -And- I certainly haven't been spreading myself around I still only travel by foot and by foot, it's a slow climb, But I'm good at being uncomfortable, so I can't stop changing all the time I notice that my opponent is always on the go -And- Won't go slow, so's not to focus, and I notice He'll hitch a ride with any guide, as long as They go fast from whence he came - But he's no good at being uncomfortable, so He can't stop staying exactly the same If there was a better way to go then it would find me I can't help it, the road just rolls out behind me Be kind to me, or treat me mean I'll make the most of it, I'm an extraordinary machine I seem to you to seek a new disaster every day You deem me due to clean my view and be at piece and lay I mean to prove I mean to move in my own way, and say, I've been getting along for long before you came into the play I am the baby of the family, it happens, so - Everybody cares and wears the sheeps' clothes While they chaperone Curious, you looking down your nose at me, while you appease - Courteous, to try and help - but let me set your Mind at ease (Chorus) -Do I so worry you, you need to hurry to my side? -It's very kind But it's to no avail; I don't want the bail I promise you, everything will be just fine If there was a better way to go then it would find me I can't help it, the road just rolls out behind me Be kind to me, or treat me mean I'll make the most of it, I'm an extraordinary machine
lathyris wrote:
Did she say "I need to poop?" I see I rated this song a 4 in some distant past, yet that was before I (maybe) heard that lyrical beauty.
You deem me due to clean my view and be at peace and lay I mean to prove I mean to move in my own way and say But Golly, I like it better as Poop. I heard "I'm into poop...." Weird sheeite, man
Less dreary than her old stuff. It's a fun song, but I don't think I could stand to listen to it more than... well, this one time.
lathyris wrote:
Did she say "I need to poop?" I see I rated this song a 4 in some distant past, yet that was before I (maybe) heard that lyrical beauty.
She said poop for real? That's cool. It's like she is saying, "hey, I poop just like everyone else." So, don't put her up on a pedestal ok?
lathyris wrote:
Did she say "I need to poop?" I see I rated this song a 4 in some distant past, yet that was before I (maybe) heard that lyrical beauty.
I can promise you that you misheard. She did not say that.
Isn't this is first release of this song, not the album version that one can buy? Whichever it is, i like it!
An extraordinary artist.
Did she say "I need to poop?" I see I rated this song a 4 in some distant past, yet that was before I (maybe) heard that lyrical beauty.
superdan wrote:
I'm really suprised at all the negitive posts. This is one of the best new songs I've heard in a long time! Very origional.
I agree, I never was a Fiona Apple fan it was my generation, but I never got into her (maybe its because I am a dude). This song, however, threw me back and forced me to revisit everything she has done, and I have to say I really like some of it. She is a great artist.
I'm really suprised at all the negitive posts. This is one of the best new songs I've heard in a long time! Very origional.
Ghastly. I can only assume that this is some sort of a test to see how much musical indigity we will put up with.
Aud wrote:
annoying
More boring than annoying, I think.
annoying
This reminds me of something from a Broadway musical - a nice change of pace. I think it is fresh and original. Thanks for adding it to the mix, Bill
I think this would be Fiona's last album. Are those wasabi peas in the cover? I bet those are organic!
I don't know what's worse: my hangover or this song.
I am normally not that big of fan, but this is a great song, and I like the direction Fiona is going.
maLeFunKtion wrote:
It's certainly "Extordinary"
Hmm she does say 'extordinary'. That's funny.
jbtidwell wrote:
It's more like Gilbert and Sullivan. ;)
It's certainly "Extordinary"
TheLoneIguana wrote:
I like the whole off-kilteredness (?) of this.
Hunh? I like it, but it sounds nothing like Off Kilter. :-)
iMacomania wrote:
sensless querulousness
Which is what she's all about on all her albums.
I totally dig this song... I think she's gained some maturity in her songwriting on this album. Plus she mentions shoes...
sensless querulousness
I just saw her do this on the Today Show. Good performance, but very surprising to see her there. It turned out it was her first morning show appearance, and she was apparently pissed at her manager for booking her for an early morning set after she'd appeared at the Nokia Theater last night. But they sat her down for what seemed to be a unique after-the-hour-break chat BEFORE the news -- something I've never seen them do before. What was most interesting was her comment that she doesn't see anything odd about not writing or performing anything for a few years -- she feels that the time off is just as valuable as the time "on", and she also is actually now comfortable thinking of herself as an "adult."
Agree with Bill - this previous release version on RP is much better than the final on the new CD.
I like the whole off-kilteredness (?) of this.
mxdcec wrote:
How many times do we need to hear aboutt teen-age aganst masquerading as a victim of self-invited abuse? Mark Dubai, United arab Emirates
I think being raped as a 12-year-old more than entitles someone to feel angst. And I hardly think walking home to her apartment after school is an "invitation" for abuse. And you don't "need" to hear about it; you are perfectly free to turn off the radio at any time.
amb599 wrote:
I'd bet my life that if most of the RP raters had never heard of Fiona before, this would get a higher rating. FA is incredibly talented and original, and its a shame that she blew her "credibility" at such a young age. But if the world had tried to take me seriously when I was 19, I doubt I would have fared much better...
I agree with you, but i don't understand how people think she blew her credibility? because she was a thin girl in a "sexy video?" I don't think that blows her credibility at all. She says she was uncomfortable with that then, but it was what she did. I find her music to be completely credible and from the heart. Go fiona
mxdcec wrote:
Fionna's had her 15 minutes of fame during that great influx of female artists that appeared on the music scene around 94-98. For the most part they gave us some really good music. However, this is another decade, and well, Fionna's done, and shouldn't try to reinvent herself, it won't work. In fact, looking back, she has a body of work that's pretty hard to take seriously. How many times do we need to hear aboutt teen-age aganst masquerading as a victim of self-invited abuse? Mark Dubai, United arab Emirates
uhm... wow. I thought you had an point (that I don't agree with, but a valid one nonetheless) right up intill the end. First off, what about her body of work is so hard to take seriously. Sure, a lot of her first album was written when she as a very young pup, and it shows... but I daresay she's a lot better than what's being written by most other 16-year-olds out there (have you ever visted the poetry or fiction blog of teenagers, or listened to one of their bands play original material... you should, because you'll appreciate what she did back then more). Then, the 'self-invited abuse' statement. I certainly hope you're not insinuating that the sexual assalt she suffered when younger was 'self-invited'... and if you're not, then OK; the stunt at the VMAs was a bit overblown, but how many rock stars have ever made fools of themselvs on TV?? If you're on RP, then I'd guess you're at least open to the IDEA she was trying to get across (that the music industry is a bunch of corporate whores) even if you don't agree with her method/delivery.
Who uses a woodwinds section any more! This is great, I love it, I would marry it if I could. Freaking great. reminds me of old cartoons. Love it, love it.
I like the Etch-A-Sketch writing on the album cover.
I love Kailua, Hawaii. This song, its ok. IslandMax wrote:
Is this what happens when artists with no real talent get influenced by the 1920s?
something ani-esque about her
GoldenBoy wrote:
Fiona is incredible. If anyone is reading this today, she will be on The Tonight Show tonight.
Yes, she is. And thank you so much for the heads up!
Outstanding! I am so happy that Sony finally got off their arses and released this album, even if it is a re-recorded version with a new producer. Fiona is incredible. If anyone is reading this today, she will be on The Tonight Show tonight.
I'd bet my life that if most of the RP raters had never heard of Fiona before, this would get a higher rating. FA is incredibly talented and original, and its a shame that she blew her "credibility" at such a young age. But if the world had tried to take me seriously when I was 19, I doubt I would have fared much better...
Is this what happens when artists with no real talent get influenced by the 1920s?
It's official...Extraordinary Machine will finally be released on October 4. yay.
Xeric wrote:
Heard a rumor the other day to the effect that it soon would be. . . .
The rumor appears true: https://edition.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/Music/08/17/music.fiona.ap/index.html But I note the "reworking" of as many as nine tracks for the official release and the insistence that much of the Internet version was "tweaked" or "additionally manipulated."
rasta_tiger wrote:
I wonder if it will ever be officially released?
Heard a rumor the other day to the effect that it soon would be. . . .
Interesting. Kinda perturbing to hear such disdain for Fiona in this thread. I don't like everything she does but at least she's an original artist. You're more likely to hear something interesting from her than someone like Madeleine Peyroux (someone I like) who is basically just an interpreter of other peoples songs. Anyway, I like this song. I wonder if it will ever be officially released?
What's with the bell? This sounds like a cartoon soundtrack. Perhaps the cruelest thing life can give us is a taste of fame early in life. She was cool as a waif looking sexually abused. This is really bad, and doesn't work.
Perfect, jbtidwell!
ya i don't much care for that influx or fionna, but this song is really cool, i like the off tempo and her voice works really well here
Fionna's had her 15 minutes of fame during that great influx of female artists that appeared on the music scene around 94-98. For the most part they gave us some really good music. However, this is another decade, and well, Fionna's done, and shouldn't try to reinvent herself, it won't work. In fact, looking back, she has a body of work that's pretty hard to take seriously. How many times do we need to hear aboutt teen-age aganst masquerading as a victim of self-invited abuse? Mark Dubai, United arab Emirates
This made me stop and listen...then I smiled...I'll be glad to hear it again.
DING!. . .still sucks. ;-)
Growing on me. From a 4 to a 6.
Excellent tune. Very impressive. Everytime I hear it, I like it even more than the last time.
WTH is this crap?
I likey. Can't help it. So "bah!" to the naysayers.
I don't generally care overmuch for Fiona, but I like this song a lot.
Damn.. extraordinary range. 8O
outerspace wrote:
And how the hell am I supposed to get anything done with a set like this. What's it now... 8 in a row I have pause and listen to. Damn.
No kidding! :D Really great music this morning.
The world always has a place for more goofy stuff! Go Fiona!
And how the hell am I supposed to get anything done with a set like this. What's it now... 8 in a row I have pause and listen to. Damn.