Criminal

song by Apple

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July 22, 2026

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"Criminal" is a hit single by American singer-songwriter Fiona Apple, released in 1996 on her debut album, Tidal. The song, known for its sultry vocals and hard-hitting lyrics, propelled Tidal to multiplatinum status in the United States and earned Apple a Grammy Award for best female rock vocal performance in 1998. The provocative music video for "Criminal" also contributed to Apple's early public image. Apple's music often explores themes of trauma, mental health, and personal struggles, with "Criminal" being an early example of her raw and confessional songwriting style.12

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Fiona Apple
Tidal, Criminal, and stardom
The jazzy single “Criminal,” however, broke open the floodgates, propelling the album into the top 20 on the Billboard charts and making Apple a star. Tidal sold three million albums domestically. In 1998 “Criminal” won the Grammy Award for best female rock vocal performance.
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The jazzy single “Criminal,” however, broke open the floodgates, propelling the album into the top 20 on the Billboard charts and making Apple a star. Tidal sold three million albums domestically. In 1998 “Criminal” won the Grammy Award for best female rock vocal performance.
Read More