Fiona Apple Shows Lighter Side While Chatting About ’90s Success, OCD

Most people have the perception that Fiona Apple is a brooding singer-songwriter around the clock. However, the New Yorker revealed a surprisingly comedic persona in a recent interview.

Apple was a guest on Marc Maron's most recent WTF podcast to promote her latest album, 'The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do.' Since the two were somewhat familiar with each other, the conversation topics ranged from her fascination with hummingbirds to sharing her family's rich history in the arts.

Apple became famous at the tender age of 18 with her debut album, 'Tidal.' Fueled by the hit single 'Criminal,' she could be heard all over the radio and was a staple on MTV during the mid-'90s. Much to host Maron's and our surprise, Apple acted like she wasn't aware just how successful she was at the start of her career.

"Was I?" she innocently asked when Maron said she was huge when she first appeared in the music scene. "I purposely didn't read anything about myself. I didn't ever read reviews. I was so obsessive in my own little world."

As previously reported, Apple battled a severe case of obsessive-compulsive disorder. The singer admitted that she would tune out the crowd she would be performing for in order to concentrate on the music. "I was probably just thinking I have to get out of here," she explained, when asked what went through her head during shows early in her career. "I have to get out of here, and go to the hotel and try to open every door in the hallway, which is something that I used to have to do."

"If you could go into the maintenance would you go into the maintenance room?" Maron asked.

"Yes. I would have to, I didn't want to," Apple answered. "See every little thing inside." She gave an emphatic "no" when asked if looking at the maintenance room was relaxing.

Listen to the rest of Marc Maron's candid interview with Fiona Apple here.