Fiona Apple: “Hot Knife” (Official Music Video)

Fiona Apple reunites with filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson for the deceptively simple, vintage-looking video for Idler Wheel track "Hot Knife".
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[@elbonia17]

if you just looked at the lyrics to this, you'd think it's a simple love song, but between the drums and her delivery it just has this almost frightening energy to it... like she can't decide if she wants to sleep with this guy or eat him alive. I love it.

[@juliaangelina1984]

+hail satan those two desires are not mutually exclusive.

[@pedrohitzfeld4803]

hail satan is on for dudes.

[@narizota]

okay but that’s ur personal opinion

[@abigailrose4188]

I see it deeper than sleep could provide

[@manda1123889]

It is absolutely eat him alive.

[@tonybates7870]

How can just drums, a sprinkling of piano, and her multitracked voice produce all this intensity? She is fantastic.

[@atlas7409]

her sister also sings on this track!

[@ison7834]

Because it's Fiona Apple

[@daveontomas7495]

Not even drums, just drum!

[@RandomDudeOne]

The lady Fiona is singing this duet with is Maude Maggart, her sister.

[@bagwipes]

@@RandomDudeOne you can hardly call it a duet, Maude is just providing harmony vocals.

[@mitoproducer1075]

"He makes my heart a cinemascope screen showing the dancing bird of paradise" A very beautiful and unique phrase. No artist in this world would ever have use it.

[@stalecornchips9968]

The only person that could is Regina Spektor. The more I listen to apple the more I see the similarities between them

[@mitoproducer1075]

@@stalecornchips9968 I like Regina Spektor but no, Regina's lyrics are more simple.

[@stalecornchips9968]

@@mitoproducer1075 definitely not the case, you must not have heard her older songs and her unreleased songs

[@vermzmcruz5459]

You mean it’s not “cinnamon scones”? Lol

[@SPRPhilly]

A gorgeous line, absolutely miraculous in its construction. And to the Regina Spektor group - I'd love to hear Fiona sing "All the Rowboats."

[@samwallaceart288]

This song never fails to leave me pumped. It’s almost 2 am, I just finished a painting and imma go punch a wall.

[@quinnlewis2003]

Yes dude yes

[@CuteDiva23]

its 4 am here and im doing exactly that, finishing this painting and punching walls.

[@ulysees1117]

Lol

[@johnIZaUWL]

Damn your imagination VIVID 😯😯❤️🤘

[@arturollll537]

Show us the painting

[@tticd]

The evolution of this lady since I first started listening to her way back in '94 has been incredible. Some artists fade or refine as they get older: Fiona distilled.

[@tticd]

***** Eh - '96, then. Whatever, it was a long time ago. But thanks for pointing it out, I guess?

[@livilang]

Mike F Perfect description of her musical evolution. I'm stealing it. ;)

[@tticd]

With her, it's totally true. :)

[@timothyliang6477]

+Mike F She doesn't stop exploring and every album is something that builds upon itself in musicality and poetry... a true genius especially in today's watered down definition of genius.

[@transp0rter1]

+Mike F I agree. The Idler Wheel... is literally the BEST Fiona album, and it's her fourth. Sadly, most artists can't even say that!!

[@dnbnme]

I love how this was the direction she went in for Fetch the Bolt Cutters.

[@shelby4809]

YES! I said the same thing. The vocal layering and the percussive noises. LOVE IT

[@bjwnashe5589]

Yes!

[@camilaamarilla8330]

Absolutely!

[@stephaniegonsalves2263]

This was so much better than "Fetch the Bolt Cutters", which sounds like one, looooong, experimental, thesis project. Still, somewhat pretty, like Fiona.

[@brooklyna007]

My girl showed me this the other day and I just stared at this on the screen as I saw one of the most genuinely artful performances I've ever seen in my entire life. She excites me! =)

[@dissonancecognitive1]

this song is so cinematic, surprised it hasn't been used in a film

[@qboyvids5156]

This video was directed by PTA

[@Polveria]

+QBoyVids PRAISE OUR LORD AND SAVIOR PAUL THOMAS ANDERSON

[@gentlemanbrawlers]

+discojack Gorgeously shot video. I agree, surprised it hasn't been used in a film.

[@filmsagainstempires1388]

It would overwhelm the film.

[@jovaniolivares9460]

He directed some of her best videos and broke her heart so she could write some amazing songs about it. Hes the best.

[@cakredi4132]

This is something between a playful children song and chants in a witches' ceremony.

[@iksaxophone]

You'd be surprised how many "children's songs" actually ARE witches' chants...our few remaining vestiges of pagan tradition fly under the radar as innocuous kids' games.

[@contrafax]

Jazz

[@ikeepscreamingbutgodwontan3132]

@@iksaxophone what

[@user-wz4nn4ii4r]

😂❤

[@stuartkirk7373]

Children music for adults

[@ZagadkaTeg]

I've just discovered this and to me it's an existential mic drop. If I'd managed to create something of this quality I'd have retired said 'I've done my bit, your turn' and walked away.

[@elegance7940]

Her delivery of this song is just so phenomenal it never gets old

[@singingnymph]

It's exquisite with headphones.

[@BrainRotAntidote]

Coming back to Fiona is like coming back to some comfort food after eating shit for a week straight.

[@ninachampion8671]

atyourbest THIS. ya tore the words straight outta my soul,,,

[@JorgeHernandez-pp9ww]

feel da same jajaja

[@eduardo.gordillo]

Word

[@platypusjonesy2757]

Paul Thomas Anderson and Fiona Apple is always going to be a winning combination when it comes to music videos. Two greats.

[@someguy79]

"Maybe you could teach me something Maybe I could teach you too Even just to reach is a triumph And now I've really got a hold on you" -that last bit

[@scottboyan]

And sometimes the SOME in something thing is on the down beat, sometimes it’s on the up beat.

[@someguy79]

@@scottboyan i noticed as well thank you for stating it =]

[@ivanterrible7362]

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how you build to a crescendo.

[@oyahthefirst]

She should be way bigger, it's nuts how talented she is and how good and ranged her songs are.

[@oyahthefirst]

So was Barry Manilow, Luther Vandross, Andy Williams but that doesn't mean they have a commercial success in life now. I was essentially saying it'd be amazing if she received more credit as there's plenty of plain lazy artists out there that receive waves of fans.

[@ArielWidhibrata]

She doesn't want to be big, she has struggled with her mental health in the past. She was huge in 1996 with the release of Criminal.

[@spaceboy2095]

She'll be remembered in centuries when most popular artists of today will be forgotten...

[@llimettime]

She's pretty much as big as you can get without being a popstar and from what I know of her she'd like to keep it that way

[@Alyaahahahaaa]

That’s how I used to feel when I was younger like Why isn’t X and Y bigger bands/artists? Waaaa!! Now if I discover some smaller indie band or smthing, I’m cool w/ them not blowing up. It’s like my little secret

[@owenprice4072]

Sigh... here goes another day of listening to Fiona Apple over and over.

[@spaceboy2095]

Another night for me, but yes same here, I could listen to most of her songs forever...

[@hquinnterpreter5911]

#relatable in 2018

[@Luna_Christine]

Owen Price 2019, and I’m still listening to The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do, in addition to 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. But I never go wrong with the debit album of the siren that Fiona in Tidal.

[@cbirkhead2490]

And now 2020. Just waiting for the new album. I remember her saying early 2020. Ready when you are Fiona!

[@Connor-ih5hl]

Not anymore ;)

[@angellacanfora]

A pure, genuine, musical genius.

[@AnthonyMoitzger-nw1id]

The way she expresses herself when she sings can make me laugh or cry. Such soul. What a great artist.

[@jackmcmuscles]

Man she really is one of the best songwriters ever

[@YarrBr0]

HE EXCITES ME must be like the genesis of rhythm I GET FEISTY whenever I'm with him

[@H11X11N]

🌹

[@dperry9406]

YarrBr0 Awesome lyric😎

[@MS-sj7zx]

I love belching that verse haha!

[@tminustech]

I really like the simplicity here. He captures the intensity and passion behind the music while keeping it totally digestible. He doesn't try and cover the song with a narrative he compliments the music with the imagery.

[@betweenlakes]

It's a more mature PTA

[@AndreaAguilar-qx7hh]

Named my daughter Fiona and this is her song. I sing it to her every day. Simple, clever & upbeat.

[@mozekhiar]

lmao name her boyfriend shrek idiot

[@sugma148]

oof

[@nikkobellini]

You do not and never did.

[@jamesdriskell4820]

Truley amazing song. Brilliant jamming, almost classic orchestra feel, classic choir feel. I'm blown away. Haven't listened to Fiona since the late 1990's. She knows how to craft music, a true genius.

[@markgunter8185]

I've been a fan since the 90's , I was today years old when I discovered there was a video for this ! Love it! If only someone had a TV station that played nothing but music videos to promote the music industry...

[@fladgyglitz]

Paul Thomas Anderson nails something vital about Fiona Apple in this video. Above all - beyond her complex persona, daring self-deprecation, record label battles etc - she is one of the great singers of her era. Technically sound, riveting & inventive, with startling range. PTA's camera reveals her soulful intensity & dynamic vocal ability, unobstructed. Cool to see this odd couple forge a working relationship that illustrates what may have drawn them together the first time. 2 rare talents.

[@kirkbridej77]

They dated throughout the 90s...he knows her well

[@themainbork]

One of the best songs ever made

[@beeztrapp1612]

I always love when I fall back into a Fiona Phase. She's phenomenal, and, whoooo maaaaan, can she capture a feeling.

[@binkymagnus]

I love when a great music video comes out a long time after a great album comes out. It's like waking up for a little while early in the morning and then going back to sleep for a couple of hours. A reminder of how much you liked the album the year before, and an excuse to listen to it a whole bunch again.

[@scottdaley3886]

This was my earworm for the day. A completely genius video for a completely genius song.

[@MartinBustamanteSolares]

I think she wrote this song with PTA in mind. "He makes my heart a CinemaScope, he's showing the dancing bird of paradise." Also the fact that she doesn't look into the camera gives it a special touch, she's singing her heart out but if she looks into the lense she'll melt like hot butter!

[@resonantdave]

The harmonic choices make my brain go sideways. Her vocal ability is incredible. She's not just a great emale singer, she's a great performer.

[@petersavieri]

Masterpiece. Among her many masterpieces. Such worlds and talent contained in her tiny frame.

[@NoodlesVanPflock]

Fiona and Paul Thomas Anderson = explosive! How I love all the videos you did together!! And what a songwriting, what a recording, what a voice!

[@douglasmilton2805]

This is the one I play to people who've never heard Fiona Apple before. Works every time.

[@vinnyhaddad]

AHHHHHH THIS SONG IS SO DOPE!!!!

[@ChicagoMonsterPunk]

PT Anderson films her like no one. He reveals her beauty in a striking way

[@LuisRamirez-vb4ey]

Fiona Apple has the exquisite ability to outdo herself every time that she releases an album, it’s her still, her soul bare but yet it’s a new her, there’s evolution but within her ... Fetch is another great album , she has yet to disappoint me !

[@BobRenoir]

OMG! I did not know the video for this song exists till now !!!

[@BryceKatz]

It's the last track on "The Idler Wheel ...".

[@НаильУмаров-ы2и]

@@BryceKatz but the real last track is "Largo". It fits and ends album absolutely great like a poignant farewell.

[@AL-hz6bo]

This is pure magic by a pure magician.

[@stagirasghost]

Approaches performance art. Harmonies here are manic gold. So good.

[@alyrababy]

Fiona's sister is in this video, woman on the left

[@RcsN505]

Fiona's sister's stage name is Maude Maggart =)

[@afriendcalled5]

Didn't know that!

[@Ellier215]

I was wondering who that was.

[@xocomaox]

@@Ellier215 Me, too! Finally found this comment after scrolling.

[@carlosconesa]

"Idler Wheel" is a FUCKING MASTERPIECE.

[@allimensch]

idler wheel is my favorite and i really don’t think it gets the love it deserves

[@rebecca11391]

I think this is my favorite song by her, idk why exactly. It's definitely not lyrically the most interesting. I just really like the drums and piano. & her and her sister's voices are just awesome layered like that. It'd be cool if a good like college acapella group did this haha.

[@bruno1999]

***** shes the one that looks like an evil witch version of fiona. scary witch mole and all.

[@kaya8055]

Bradley Holtan this comment made me laugh so hard

[@bruno1999]

KAyA thanks, I try to amuse myself. Fiona's starting to look pretty scary witch version herself nowadays, :(

[@Chic88go]

Bradley Holtan 😩😩😩😂😂😂🙊🙈😩

[@JohnMartin-tm6lt]

agreed. and in spanish or portugese.

[@tummelluv]

This is sooo sooo sooo wonderful... how I love Fiona and her music. Today Mountain Man released their cover of this song which too is great. But dang I love the beats banging in this original Hot Knife song

[@lkw7482]

I have loved this song for YEARS; how did I not know about this amazing - amazingly beautiful, amazingly simple - video?

[@lifestandstillhere]

The layering builds and builds--like climbing a tall staircase. Love to work out to this song! Fiona forever!

[@suuwu21]

decided to leave a comment this time. I love her songs so much

[@ginatome5031]

This is the first time I hear Fiona, just one word: amazing.

[@blahblahblahblahbla2705]

Gina Tomé You are.

[@tinotica]

This is the coolest minimalistic love song!!!

[@jennasphoenix757]

She's ALWAYS been SOOOOOO DAMN AMAZING!!!!.....(even in person!....she's so down to earth!!!) I will NEVER STOP LOVING HER!!!!)

[@garychap8384]

How the hell am I hearing her for the first time in 2019? Thanks Handmaids Tale, you never fail to expand my horizons.

[@borednerd2100]

They used this for the handmaid's tale?

[@garychap8384]

No, but they used Fiona Apples _"Every Single Night"_ in Season 3 Episode 7. It's a deliciously surreal song XD. It brought me here to sample Fiona's discography and I'm just astounded by her! I can't believe I'd never come across her before. Handmaids Tale is always introducing me to cool quirky music ; )

[@borednerd2100]

@@garychap8384 I discovered fiona through "Every single night" too! It kept coming up in my recommendations untill I finally clicked and fell in love with the so'g and video. But as incredible as fiona is, I can't seem to find other songs of hers that I like as mush as thses two.

[@davidadams2395]

The same song was featured yesterday on HBO's Euphoria. I've loved her ever since Tidal, but it's awesome to see that others are continuing to discover her. She's brilliant, right?

[@clauperezm]

@@garychap8384 The same happened to me! Amazing music! :)

[@Millienfilm81]

Fiona is a real artist, like Janis or Bjork. She creates her own sound, and doesn't need to copy. Brava sis and thanks for showing us the way.

[@mistabook]

GodDAMN has there ever been a music video that so perfectly captured the song it was made for. Fiona Apple and PT Anderson are like artistic soulmates. The song is obviously astonishing in any context, but this visual accompaniment is poetry.

[@thehulk525]

This song has been on my iPod for months. Its so raw, powerful and punchy. This music video captured it so amazingly well. Paul is such a genius. He sure missed working with Fiona, after all these years.

[@Meishaloveless]

1:04 That smirk gets me everytime! LOVE THIS!

[@allisonsteffey893]

Thank you for never selling out and for creating some of the most dynamic and creative music that I’ve been lucky enough to have been listening to - from the 90’s through to today, and imho, your music just keeps getting better! When I listened to Tidal, it was a revelation. I thought it impossible that anything could come anywhere close to the perfection that is Tidal. Until When the Pawn... and then Extraordinary Machine... and then the Idler Wheel. Album after album of ‘next level’ musicality, creativity, with lots of love and more than a little rage, you sing the song of my soul, and as the years slip by, my love and gratitude for you and your music only grows! So please keep the music coming...because nobody else does it like you do, Fiona! Genius, pure and simple.

[@dabeanx]

This is the first day I heard it 1. *know the whole song by heart* 2. *Watched the video about 12 times today* 3. *Committed a crime of looking depressed* 😭😭😭

[@LaurenInesRuiz]

I didn't jibe with this song at first. Then I listened a few more times and realized...it's incredible. Love this album

[@jilllitvin6421]

Wow. The rhythm and silence and singing and synced song. Beautiful. The piano is key to the drums. It adds character and charm. If I'm butter he's a hot knife. If I'm butter, well welcome to margarine. Cheaper. And all I can afford. This song is brilliant. Takes me to places I wish I could be.

[@omvalleyofthesunom]

I've been in love with Fiona longer than any other woman in my lifetime. She's a bold, beautiful, musical genius.

[@lbetweenthebars]

THIS IS SO AMAZING. I love it so much. It perfectly mirrors the response one has when listening to this song alone, on headphones, layers coming in one at a time and building a crescendo... love Fiona and PTA!!!

[@taka-taktak]

Her vocal delivery is otherworldly.

[@UpTheBracket420]

To me this song perfectly represents Fiona Apple's unique place within our culture: she is a singular genius who delivers on her own terms

[@DanielleMuscato]

This is the founder of the Free Fiona campaign back in 2004. I am *so thrilled* to see she's putting out material again. I'm going to wait to watch this until I have my headphones with me and can really experience it distraction-free. I can't wait! Hey Pitchfork, thanks for putting this up.

[@liteflightify]

This might be my favorite song of her's. It's simple yet complex at once. It's fun but still emotional. It's the type of song that gives way to a very good video. Of course, it's entirely different than anything she's done.

[@goober-fq5ky]

She really embodied "a cinema scope screen showing a dancing bird of paradise" here. The way she sings, the drumbeat like a heart racing. It's energizing and incredible

[@norainest89]

Esta mujer es increíble... no deja de sorprenderme desde la primera vez que la escuche. Es magnífica.

[@caressajolene]

love this album - again and again

[@camilaamarilla8330]

I can't get enough of this song, i'm so full but i need more

[@Dinkylicious]

I can't get over how beautiful this is... Her natural way is so intriguing. Amazing!

[@Danielroams]

I love Fiona Apple. Wish I had the chance to see her in concert. When she is singing, you feel the emotion.

[@eliuvillarreal8001]

I remember her debut CD. Fell in love with her perfect blue eyes. And the disc was amazing.

[@izzyboone9400ydvb]

Makes me think that i am watching a 1920's Hollywood Movie with ward winning sound track. amazing!

[@jems5403]

Simplicity done perfectly! PT Anderson is a master. Fiona is great too! Love her music.

[@DaveJoria]

Aaaaaaand now it's stuck in my head all day.

[@fungoloide]

QUE VONTADE INSUPORTÁVEL E INCONTROLÁVEL DE CHORAR... DE ONDE VEM TANTA POESIA, QUEM DOTOU A RAÇA HUMANA DE TANTO SENTIMENTO...

[@sorcerer1975]

Love this video... "The Idler Wheel..." was hands down my favorite album of 2012... I hope Ms. Apple is working on new material and we won't have to wait another 6 or 7 years... I truly don't think it's gonna be that long... Since releasing " The Idler Wheel..." she's released " Dull Tool" ... Contributed the theme for The Affair... Worked with Blake Mills... Contributed to the Watkins family album... She's been busy since her last album... I LOVE U FIONA APPLE!

[@everythingyoufear1538]

Kevin Patrick fast forward to 2018 and it's been _long_ , no sign of new music too, but she's obviously doing much better now and her health is the most important thing :)

[@mejiolo]

Her new album is coming this year!

[@davidsir1019]

The best passionate love song I've ever heard

[@froberts7]

For me Fiona Apple is the most interesting Artist of the past 20 years. Needless to say I'm a big fan :-)

[@spinblackcircles]

Same. Who else has such a near perfect catalogue and has never once let anyone influence her art?

[@sumayaorra]

I never knew about this collaboration between Fiona and Paul!!! love them

[@aabcdanilo]

this is probably the fourth time they collab

[@connecticutmom9087]

Did she write any songs about him/their break up?

[@CARLOSRODRIGUEZ-gn5dz]

This is a masterpiece song and video. Love Fiona Apple

[@JOSEENCALADAGUITAR]

Thanks Fiona!!! your music is pure art!!!....is a fresh air in this decadent period of music.......

[@HaphazardHomestead]

The first couple times: "Maybe he could teach me something, maybe I could teach him too. Even just to show that he, really, got over you." The last few times: "Maybe he could teach me something, maybe I could teach him too. It's not impossible to show that he, really, got over you." And that gives the song a different spin...

[@jilliana4716]

plz explain

[@Filippo2192]

This is my favourite song from the album and honestly one of the most original song ever! I'm so glad it got a cool video

[@blugreen17]

Pure fantastic.

[@soyburglar77]

I’ve been absolutely in love with this woman since the release of Tidal back in the day. I was fortunate enough to see her 3 times in concert in 1996-1997 and actually got to talk to her at Lilith Fair as she was signing autographs. Super cool girl.

[@jennafigueroa8010]

I woke up with this song playing in my head. Catcy yet good.

[@daveontomas7495]

What a music video. This is how you showcase such a unique song

[@Scurrow]

This song is sooooo good, Like probably my current favorite song ever. She lip syncs so well in this video too.

[@YarrBr0]

It's like she's lip acting!

[@spaceboy2095]

because maybe she's not!?

[@xtop23]

The mash up is great and omg when the piano kicks in its awesome.

[@theidlerwheel]

when i discovered this song i was literally obsessed you don't understand

[@tonylangmach9535]

So excellent and great-So soul-like voice

[@empathcaroline2586]

this song is amazing

[@martasanchez8444]

Saw her in concert several years ago. One of the best shows I've ever seen! Hope to do it again!

[@Sethjj1975]

Absolutely amazing. Such a talent it gives me chills of goodness.

[@rebecca8525]

This is my favorite song on her Idler Wheel album and the video is perfect, too.

[@davidaguirre02]

amazing fiona apple and sister

[@_AIAH_]

Brilliant always Brilliant when Fiona Apple makes music

[@louisemclean2973]

If I'm butter, if I'm butter, If I'm butter, then he's a hot knife, He makes my heart a cinemascope screen Showing the dancing bird of paradise.

[@claire-polinadriegen9]

I love her. This is exquisite. Unique.