Fiona Apple's 1997 VMA speech was so ahead of its time
Posted by Josephthebear@reddit | Xennials | View on Reddit | 122 comments
Fiona Apple gave her 1997 VMA speech to express gratitude while also critiquing the music industry's superficiality and encouraging fans to be true to themselves rather than idolize celebrities
skyvola@reddit
Still one of my all time celebrity crushes.
BabaofTheShimmer@reddit
I don’t think this was so ahead of its time. I was a teenager in the 90s, and the idea of being unique and having your voice heard was very much the message back then.
If anything, we have regressed as a society: teenagers and young adults are conditioned to “follow” people they find interesting and mimic those “influencers” as best as they can.
Suspended-Again@reddit
Yup I’m old enough to remember when it was uncool to “sell out”. Those days are long gone.
questions6486@reddit
That's because you didn't have to sell out to be able to buy a house back then.
I "didn't sell out." I work in public service, always try to be kind to others, do the right thing, and be true to myself.
I'm broke as hell man. No house. If I'd wanted kids, I'd have to be on SNAP.
My friends who joined the military or got jobs in big-tech or government contracting, the ones who "sold out," have the money to actually do things with their lives.
The '90s were the best it was ever going to be, economically (in the U.S. at least). That's why people could be on their high horses like that. People can't afford to now, or they have to be willing to give up a lot more that they would have in the '90s.
Suspended-Again@reddit
I just hope my headstone says, was poo, but did not sell out, not a poser, not a grommet
Sumeriandawn@reddit
Fat_Krogan@reddit
This line pops into my head every now and again.
SumpCrab@reddit
Yeah, being a poser or a sell out was the worst thing to be in the 90s.
TxEagleDeathclaw81@reddit
“Poser” was a very dirty word back then!
sweetbeard@reddit
MrCrash@reddit
Only posers die
KudosOfTheFroond@reddit
Yeah kids these days sell out the first chance they get. Craziness.
willitplay2019@reddit
Yes and they are very into putting everyone into boxes. Completely goes against what was cool in the 90s.
KudosOfTheFroond@reddit
Yes exactly! Man shit’s got cruel since back then.
MunkyDawg@reddit
That's because the 90's was the peak.
Man_Bear_Beaver@reddit
There's a reason why the Matrix was modelled after the 90's
JonnyQuest1981@reddit
Sinéad ripped up the Pope 5 years before this. I feel we just don’t have true counter culture anymore. Everything became cool because everyone basically turned into nerds or everyone felt comfy enough to let their inner nerd out. Some examples: Part of the initial appeal of tattoos was that they represented counter culture. Now they’re just normalized into everyday life with how much the younger generations embraced them. My goth SIL tries so hard to be edgy, yet she gets compliments on her crazy pink Lydia Deets hair everywhere she goes by all different kinds of people. The rise of e-girls and the like. Counter culture is so accepted today that it’s just becoming culture. Does that make sense or am I way off base here?
The_White_Devil_69@reddit
I think you made a lot of sense!
JonnyQuest1981@reddit
Oh good! It definitely feels to me that this is what has been occurring since around the turn of the century.
Toblogan@reddit
You nailed it!
Able-Yogurtcloset838@reddit
Today I just feel like I’m watching a very bad remake of 1987’s Wall Street. Greed is good
urbanlife78@reddit
We tried our best
URfwend@reddit
MrPreviz@reddit
Yup, and then Gen X grew up and became boomers just like the hippies did. What happened to us? Money changes everything man...
L3g3ndary-08@reddit
I dunno man. I know plenty of GenX that still have the 'give no fucks' attitude.
Duffalufffagus@reddit
Present
Sumeriandawn@reddit
"I didn't sell out, I bought in"
MrPreviz@reddit
Im glad you do. Most of my old friends from the midwest have gone full capitalism/republican.
PackageNorth8984@reddit
It was the decade of “SOCIETY, MAN…SOCIETY.”
wiserTyou@reddit
Agreed. She wasn't going against the grain, she was playing into it, knowingly or not.
Why anyone let's actors or musicians sway their thoughts on the world is something I'll never understand. They have no more insight than the person walking past you on the street. Read a book and make up your own mind.
MunkyDawg@reddit
Because they only see the "ideal" version of that person? They "relate" to that person's dilemma/ character/ story in some way. That leads them to believe that the character that they know would have opinions that they would agree with.
Makes sense to me anyways.
Funwithfun14@reddit
Ya def not edgy in 97.....maybe in 77 or 67.
cortesoft@reddit
We haven’t regressed, this shit goes in cycles. The current culture is a reaction to the previous culture which is a reaction to the culture before that one. We cycle through times of conformity and times of rebellion.
HicJacetMelilla@reddit
And since the internet is forever and everything is recorded, teens have an even greater disincentive to ever take risks or stand out. So glad my adolescence was pre-internet and pre-constant recording. Sure we had the Kodak moments of dancing in our bras but they only exist in someone’s Anne Geddes keepsake box now.
kembik@reddit
As a fellow fruitopia enjoyer I concur
MisterHibbert@reddit
Right on. When did being cool become joining one of two teams?
ExtinctionBurst76@reddit
I know lol, OP acting like Fiona was the first person to ever say “be true to yourself”
Like that is in itself such a cliche.
Person0249@reddit
Anything was better than being labeled a poseur back in the 90’s.
I see a little hope though. My 12 y/o went the Olivia Rodrigo route for this exact reason - see’s Taylor as phony. Not exactly the same situation but I think kids can still appreciate originality.
ClearWaves@reddit
Yup. Our biggest fear was being normal.
Toblogan@reddit
Pfff conformists! 🤣😂
Tribe303@reddit
I don't think this was ahead of her time. This was pretty standard for the 90's. Western society regressed during the Bush eras War on Terror. Then the US elected a biracial dude and American conservatives went insane.
CelestialFury@reddit
Yeah, the 90s were such an amazing time to grow up. There was a great sense of optimism that anything was possible, the internet was new and exciting, and there was a huge focus on being authentic. We've 180'd since then.
Tribe303@reddit
Now the Internet has turned people into mindless sheep consuming whatever crap the corporations crank out, while unwanted AI enforces conformity. No, I'm not bitter!
wombatrunner@reddit
Saw her in Asheville a few years ago sing Jolene….fuck all, she is still cool as fuck
AlwaysSleepingBeauty@reddit
We should have made her more famous but I bet she would have rejected it and did her own thing.
OkArmy7059@reddit
Ahead of its time for being cringe before cringe became a term
4luminate@reddit
i was just thinking about her last night...randomly popped into my head.
Sumeriandawn@reddit
Ironic!
QuietNene@reddit
Sorry Gen Z, they don’t make women like that anymore.
Sumeriandawn@reddit
Okay, boomer
Ghoulie_Marie@reddit
She got crucified for this too
Josephthebear@reddit (OP)
She sure did
devilsbard@reddit
Seems like a run of the mill valedictorian speech.
Lanky_Rhubarb1900@reddit
Fiona walked so the amazing young women of music today could run.
Somegirls85@reddit
Good on her for calling out an industry. I was trying to body shame her at the time. Also fuck Janine garofalo for making fun of 17 year old girls body
Ghoulie_Marie@reddit
Right? How did she think she was going to look being like "look at this loser having a life threatening illness that causes her to suffer all the time"?
Roseheath22@reddit
Wait, do you mean people were saying she was fat?? I don’t remember people body shaming her but there’s a lot I’ve forgotten about that era.
EAE8019@reddit
No the opposite. As I recall she was being used as an example of anorexia
Mpoboy@reddit
It’s unfortunate she did have an eating disorder, possibly due to being raped at 12. This is why people should refrain from commenting on their bodies. We don’t know their history. We’re all guilty of it but it’s a good reminder.
BasicMomBitch4@reddit
Yes, she writes about this in some of her music. Look at the lyrics for Sullen girl and Paper bag
Roseheath22@reddit
Ah, I guess that makes more sense than calling her fat, but I wish we would stop talking about people’s bodies. I think there’s more awareness now of what body shaming is, but there’s still so much of it.
Roklam@reddit
If I remember correctly, the default was to point out minute imperfections in women's bodies at the time?
_R_A_@reddit
As it was in the before times, so is it now...
nucl3ar0ne@reddit
I'm guessing too skinny, which could only come from a place of jealousy.
6ynnad@reddit
Generation X girls, had a ethereal tragic love prove yourself or die and ill do it with a kiss kinda thing going on. “Star” from lost boys comes to mind
mentaleffigy@reddit
Her and Tori Amos were extremely underrated in regard to not only their music, but their impact.
CDJMC@reddit
Don’t forget Sinéad O’Connor!
Stop_Already@reddit
I started listening to them both in 1996, when I was a freshman in college and still adore them both to this day. I grew up with a trash family and have PTSD from abuse and neglect. I’m glad I found these two amazing women as role models.
tiowey@reddit
Chris Rock has entered the chat...
PersonOfInterest85@reddit
"That girl's angry! She's like Fiona X!"
Trick-Sound-4461@reddit
She was hard as nails then, and she's hard as nails now.
This is a project she's been championing recently: https://lethergohome.org/
Fiona Apple observed court hearings as a court watcher for 2 years. She continues to elevate and bring attention to people who are sent to jail PRETRIAL away simply because they could not afford the bail. They're supposed to be presumed innocent.
It destroys families, and continues a vicious cycle of broken homes and incarceration.
If you like the cut of Fiona's jib, look for ways to help in your area.
He_Was_Fuzzy_Was_He@reddit
Say it LOUDER for the Tiktok "influencer" generation chasing Internet clout!
stykface@reddit
This wasn't ahead of its time, it's just a young 20yr old saying something a 20yr old would say. She was heavily sexualized as a 19 year old in her music video so it's kind of hypocritical, unless she woke up and realized that she was basically a victim of hyper sexualization, then I would be all for her comment.
Her music still rocks tho.
senorsmartpantalones@reddit
Hopefully she hasn't seen Instagram in 2025
8th_Dynasty@reddit
I just heard Criminal on the radio the other day and was wondering how her career has turned out (ie is she happy?).
that said, the drums that track are fucking ridiculous.
hop123hop223@reddit
The last album she released in 2020 got a perfect score from Pitchfork which is quite an accomplishment and very very very early happens. Her (few) albums are regularly rated in “top” albums of the century/decade/etc. She a lot of critical accolades, but isn’t really a “pop singer”
8th_Dynasty@reddit
I admittedly didn’t/dont follow her career but I imagined she had her breakthrough hit and like many other artists just kept on doing her thing. glad to hear, but not surprised, she’s still turning out quality.
the only thing I remember from her post Criminal was she did a cover of Across the Universe for some movie soundtrack.
hop123hop223@reddit
Her music isn’t for everyone, but I definitely enjoy it! It’s maybe worth a listen! Music is so subjective too-you can acknowledge talent, but it might not be enjoyable to you.
_R_A_@reddit
I was watching a live performance of hers on YouTube when her new album came out. Giving real "I'm happy with how life turned out and IDGAF about your opinion" vibes.
padlrchik@reddit
Check out “Fetch the Boltcutters” - GREAT album and I also just enjoy saying the title.
8th_Dynasty@reddit
great title.
and will do, thx for the suggestion.
bananabastard@reddit
Is she related to Tim Apple?
QuipperSnapper@reddit
No, she uses a stage name
itsjakerobb@reddit
Ah, so Fiona Cook then? 🙃
_R_A_@reddit
"Apple" is a stage name.
hop123hop223@reddit
Apple is her middle name
ConcreteKeys@reddit
Do you think she felt like a criminal for this?
Bellatrix_Shimmers@reddit
Definitely a bad bad girl..
Josephthebear@reddit (OP)
Hertje73@reddit
OMG WE SHOULD CENSOR THESE BAD WORDS>!>!>
hop123hop223@reddit
And this is why when Britney Spears and that whole Mickey Mouse Club crew became so popular and famous shortly after this speech, I couldn’t believe it. It seemed beyond strange that such contrived artists became so beloved.
ManateeNipples@reddit
She was so effortlessly cool as fuck
Planetofthought@reddit
She still is!
Themoosemingled@reddit
And so gorgeous.
Immediate-Yogurt-558@reddit
"This world is bullshit" hits even harder as an adult
Devium44@reddit
Still is.
freedraw@reddit
Maybe the only artist I can think of where they somehow get better every album.
sugarcoatedpos@reddit
Meh
krislynn021@reddit
I loved her and always wondered what happened to her. Criminal was and is still one of my favorite songs
spazz720@reddit
She releases material now and then…last album was Fetch the Bolt Cutters in 2020
Stop_Already@reddit
And it’s AMAZING!
I’ve been a fan for a long time.
When it came out, I was taking guitar I as an elective at school. My professor was a classically trained musician who’d toured and shit and he RAVED about how amazing this album is. It made me so happy to have her recognized. I’m like a proud sister or something. Heheh.
Way_2_Go_Donny@reddit
I would just rather go along with everything that the political party, media, and corporations I like does and then say I'm fighting the system.
/s
averyfinefellow@reddit
Perfectly within its time actually and also very pretentious at the time and now.
Blood_And_Thunder6@reddit
I met Fiona at the PG county courthouse years ago. I was there for my last court appearance before I quit being a police officer and we talked for about an hour about everything under the sun. Super duper cool lady
FreeOpinionsFromMe@reddit
I love her - I still listen to her music. In addition to being a lyrical genius, she is poetic in conveying the depths of her emotions in her music.
FreshJuice60@reddit
I love her so much
BigPoppaStrahd@reddit
I forgot all about this until she said “this world is bullahit”. I then remembered how overplayed that sound clip became and it seemed nobody talked about her whole message.
urbanlife78@reddit
She's that girlfriend that went to another school in Canada that I wished I had
The_Fell_Opian@reddit
I only remember two music award acceptance speeches from the 90s. This one.
And Eddie Vedder's: https://youtu.be/cD7hN4J0Dk8?si=X-TRg3_sDqWxMdxY
Suitable_Database467@reddit
True then true now
nucl3ar0ne@reddit
My best friend in HS was obsessed with her.
HerbaDerbaSchnerba@reddit
Cool
nucl3ar0ne@reddit
Brad? Is that you?
HerbaDerbaSchnerba@reddit
You know it! What’s up babyyyyy
mplsandrew@reddit
I like her as an artist, but this came off as pretentious. Now watching as an adult, she seems like a whining child. She isn't wrong, but maybe it's the timing for me.
oldmilt21@reddit
I wouldn’t say this was ahead of it’s time. People have been calling out the music industry basically since it was created.
Mountain-Fox-2123@reddit
Never really listened to her music, but she is 100% right and its still right today.
Now lets see how many Fiona Apple fans will downvote me for not listening to her music.
vexed_fuming@reddit
Had me and you lost me.
“I’m about to get hate online” is tired and corny. Make your point and just live.
Hoppers-Body-Double@reddit
I have loved her from the first time I heard Criminal. Her sense of self and attitude only made me love her even more.
Aught_To@reddit
i swear 2-3 times a week I say out loud - Maya anglou says this world is bullshit