Fiona Apple - Paper Bag (Official HD Video) 

"Hunger hurts, but starving works when it costs too much to love" that line makes me cry

When I was drunk singing this in High School, I never thought I’d be forty drunk singing this my empty living room. Preach Fiona.

I love the symbolism of the ‘baggage’ her ‘baggage’ that the man is too childish to cope with and so gives her it back at the end and so she moves on

"I said 'so is everything,' but he didn't get it." Most underrated lyric of all time.

"He said 'it's just in your head' and I said 'so'severything'buthedidn'tgetit." Is one of my top 10 favorite song lines.

To the user who commented that she believed this song was promoting anorexia, the lyrics are not literal. Her hunger is referring to an infatuation she has for a man that she has clearly idealized and put on a pedestal without fully knowing who he really was, "just a little boy". She is hurt by this realization and although she loves him and is still longing for him, she knows he will hurt her if she is with him. This is why she says "hunger hurts, but starving works, when it costs too much to love". She must starve herself from the love she desperately wants from the person because she knows she will be hurt in the end. I've felt this and it's genuinely miserable. This whole song has such hopeful and empowering sound, and this video is so playful and whimsical, it's hard to believe that the message of heartache and longing is able to be conveyed so clearly. So beautiful. :'-)

The quiet intensity in her voice is just breath taking.This is my favorite Fiona Apple song.

I'm 70 YO and just recently discovered Fiona Apple. This is an amazing video to go along with such an excellent song. She is quite the lyricist. I've really been enjoying her music. Even old farts can appreciate great music. p.s. those kids are amazing

She writes so perfectly

She’s a musical genius, and that’s just a fact. Undeniably.

She’s isnt for everyone, but if you get it, you get it. i think her line “ so’s everything, but he didnt get it” sums her brilliance and awesomeness and intelligence and tongue-in-cheekness just perfectly…..

Why is blues considered pop when a woman does it? Seems wrong to me. Fiona Apple is an incredible blues artist.

"Hunger hurts but starving works when it costs too much to love." I think this means that yeah sure loneliness can be painful but if being with someone requires you to give up too much of who you truly are, then it's better to wallow in the pain of loneliness rather than sacrifice too much of yourself.

I love the metaphor at the end. The person she thought was a man is just a little boy who leaves her with baggage

one of the greatest songs ever written.

Nearly 40 year old me is marveled at how mature her music and lyrics where they fed me in high school and now

Never noticed before, but she smiles at the end because, while she's sad, she's glad to be moving on

It's crazy to think that this song was never a hit... Amazing song!

she was so real for this

This song was recorded when I was born, and now I'm almost the age Fiona was at the time. I wonder if, given another 21 years, this kind of heartache will hurt less.

I'm one of the boys here. at 2:42 then 2:50. We had two or three weeks (not really sure anymore) dance training with PTA before we shoot this around 2pm. I was a small boy with a larger suit. Luckily, it didn't look bad on video and in fact, I looked taller. Didn't know PTA and Fiona were together that time and my mom pulled me out of the location right after we did the video. It was fun and also tiring at the same time. I can still remember some dance steps though, just the easy ones lol

Lyrics I was staring at the sky, Just looking for a star To pray on, Or wish on, Or something like that I was having a sweet fix Of a daydream of a boy Whose reality I knew, Was a hopeless to be had But then the dove of hope Began its downward slope And I believed for a Moment that my chances Were approaching to be grabbed But as it came down near, So did a weary tear I thought it was a bird, But it was just a paper bag Hunger hurts, And I want him so bad, Oh it kills Cause I know I'm a mess He don't wanna clean up I got to fold cause these hands Are too shaky to hold Hunger hurts, But starving works, When it costs too much to love And I went crazy again today Looking for a strand to climb, Looking for a little hope Baby said he couldn't stay Wouldn't put his lips to mine and A fail to kiss is a fail to cope I said, "Honey, I don't feel so good, Don't feel justified Come on put a little Love here in my void," He said "It's all in your head," And I said, "So's everything" But he didn't get it I thought he was a man but He was just a little boy Hunger hurts, And I want him so bad, Oh it kills Cause I know I'm a mess He don't wanna clean up I got to fold cause these hands Are too shaky to hold Hunger hurts, But starving works, When it costs too much to love Hunger hurts, And I want him so bad, Oh it kills Cause I know I'm a mess He don't wanna clean up I got to fold cause these hands Are too shaky to hold Hunger hurts, But starving works, When it costs too much to love Hunger hurts, And I want him so bad, Oh it kills Cause I know I'm a mess He don't wanna clean up I got to fold cause these hands Are too shaky to hold Hunger hurts, But starving works, When it costs too much to love Hmm

I'm so sad that I haven't discovered you earlier in my life. But I'm so so happy to have done it before I die. Your songs, your style, your fantastic voice, all of you make me feel better. Thanks for doing what you do.

It would be killer for them to reshoot this now with all the dancers grown.

This song spoke so much to me when I was in high school and I used to cry to it and pity myself all the time....I was so in love with a guy who was my best friend and I thought he liked me too. I was afraid to tell him and get rejected so I never did, he got a girlfriend when we were 16 and it broke my heart. I didn't know what to do with myself. He fell in love with her and tossed me aside so it wouldn't upset her. It crushed me. Fiona really grasped my upset and anger towards him in this song and many others she sang, her albums were the soundtrack to my heartache for a couple of years. Now I can look back and laugh at how much the first heartache seems like the end of the world when it isn't. Thank you Fiona

I always forget how drop-dread gorgeous Fiona Apple is. My god. She's so naturally beautiful that it hurts to look at her!

This is one of the best music videos of all time. I can't believe there isn't an HD version available.

I'm 15 and I love this song with all of my heart, I remember when I was younger my mom would get drunk to this song; and she would go on and on about Fiona Apple and her story, I didn't like much at first. I was too young to understand, now I understand and idk she is just an amazing artist.

Honestly this song is really resonating with me right now. Hunger hurts but starving works when it costs too much to love. Basically if you give a lot of yourself and the other person does not return the same love then it costs too much to love. Basically love should build you up because both people are contributing to it. Also I like the line where she says I thought he was a man but he was just a little boy. I also can relate to feeling like a mess someone does not wanna clean up. Fiona Apple´ś lyrics are so good. I haven´t listened to this since high school!! But in high school I used to listen to this album and another one on repeat.

"I'm a mess that he don't want to clean up". By the age of 25, I was CONVINCED that I was unlovable (based on my depression and past history) and I'd be a spinster for the rest of my life. At 27, I met the man of my dreams and someone that I don't deserve (after 17 years of marriage). We married and had kids. I'm still a mess (at almost 45 years old) and will always be, but the right person will see that you're worth the trouble. And so are they. We all can be ugly and we all have demons we battle (God knows I have mine), but you have to believe that you are worth it. What you bring to the table counts. Never settle.

I can't explain with my poor english what I thought when I was 15 hearing this for the first time. She is just a genius. It was hard to accept how perfect her songs are, cuz I was a teenager singer-song writer too. I was sick. lol I want her to know how beautiful she is. She is so graceful in this video.

One of my all-time favorite songs. This song was the first thing that I allowed myself to enjoy after my Dad died suddenly. it helped me heal. Fiona should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. No one else like her!

I'm not used to seeing her smile. I think I like it. :)

Her facial expressions and movements are so well done and fit every scene. Great choreography

A rare instance when both the music, lyrics, and video are perfect! Wow. VERY nice! Actually one of my favorite songs. Such a pretty video, fun song, with relatable lyrics. And that French horn at the end is gorgeous! Thank you Fiona and all involved in creating this beautiful little gem.👏👏👏😊😊

Bro listening to this after a break up is fucking wild

I'm still loving you Fiona.

how have I never hear this song before? this is incredible

Fiona is just one of those artists that when you first listen to, you can't ever forget or not listen to. Her lyrics are so iconic, sharp and descriptive yet subjective. I hope to continue getting music from her forever bc I know they'll have a very special place in my heart...

At 56 years young how on earth did i miss this talented beautiful lady until today so glad i have found you. I will listen to your music forever more

I think I actually saw her smile for a second. It was beautiful

Still better than most of the ladies today. We miss you Fiona!

“I went crazy again today, looking for a strand to climb looking for a little hope. “ This song has always put words to feelings I can’t.

She writes so perfectly now this is my type of girl. she knows the blues, she knows sultry like she owns it.

This is what goes on in my mind when I'm depressed and lonely. Seeing Fiona being escorted to the door with her luggage, and her looking back as she smiles is comforting for me... I saw it as her accepting to move on, and looking back to those memories of her old love fondly.

this is therapy

Wow I'm 46 now. I'd do anything to go back to the 90s and do it all the same. 💜 Fiona

One of my favorites by her. I honestly love everything she's ever done.. saw her in person a few years ago for her most recent album. She is a chaotic mess of perfection

“ He said it’s all your head and I said so’s everything...” Ain’t that the truth.

I found this song a few days ago. I cant stop listening to it. I tryed criminal and shadowboxer but this just scratches an ich nothing else does.

when the pawn is THE experience

I always liked Fiona's songwriting. It's always some kind of self-examination that I find myself constantly doing also. My favorite song off of her sophomore album.

she ate

Being hearbroken and mad being able to play and sing this song is such a relief (or it can make you madder). I wish I could see her live sometime, she is amazing.

ive had this stuck in my head for two weeks now and im not complaining about it!

Just when I thought the song alone was beautiful... this video and the choreography just renders it a work of art.

This song has been stuck in my head for 2 weeks without letting up at all.

She is a master unparalleled ; she is equally adept at her breath as well as the intention of her voice - she plays her 'antivoice ' as another instrument !

i LOVE how contrasty and compressed this video looks

Not a single flaw in this audiovisual piece. music, lyrics, vocal performance, story, acting, dancing, coregraphy, location, casting, costume design, lighting, direction. This is career peak moment of everyone involved.

Why does this make me cry!? Quintessence of beauty.

Fiona just gets it.

The dance troupe here is amazing. Much attention is given to Ms. Apple, rightfully so, but the boys here performed incredibly well for their age! Or for any age really.

Let’s not forget the instrumentation beautiful the bass the horns the drums the piano those horns were subtle which was so beautiful

thank god for paper bags

This is my favorite song, I've been coming back to it for 6 months and it still gives me the same feeling.

I need to listen to this song at least 3 times to get through the day

THIS SONG IS BEAUTIFUL.

I love that this song is entirely an alto part. Makes it easier to sing along for me. ;)

"I got to fold because these hands are just too shaky to hold" THAT LINE IS SO GOOD

Fiona is so great

She gives me goosebumps every single time.

I fell in love with this woman and her sound when I was 13, and I love it as much now at 39 as I did did in my youth. I wish I could thank her personally for being the soundtrack to so many huge milestones in my life. I will listen to her music til I die. ❤

This song hits SO hard 💔 probably the best lyrics ever written

I heard it first in the Bridesmaids soundtrack and fell in love with it ever since - the scene where Annie (Kristen Wiig) makes the one cupcake as she was thinking about her life. Those boys are super talented in this video, their ages must range from 10 to 12, such great choreography! Love that little boy at the end with the suitcase!

I listen to this song every day. I don't even know why, but it just happens! Pure magic xx

the best song ever made

I listened to this song almost every single day for a year or two

It’s insane how Paul Thomas Anderson pretty much inspired all the lyrics to this album, bringing her immense pain, was smart enough to know it and portray it beautifully in all the music videos he directed, was kind enough to say beautiful stuff about her, and then went around to abusing her and forcing their relationship to die. I’m sure she didn’t help, but he sounded like a real jerk in both the lyrics and the things she would say about him later on. The only song I can think of that isn’t about him is probably Love Ridden.

The late 90s are a cool time.

best song of all time truly

For those of you wondering where this was filmed, this was filmed at Grand Central Station in New York City on the upper level above where all the trains and buses stop in midtown Manhattan.

ill never forget first listening to this in 8th grade crying over a boy, then in 10th over a grown man, then in freshman year of college all over again. rediscovering this song over and over in different stages of my life has been a beautiful but challenging journey. fiona apples music has truly changed me

Lady something about your songs rolls my soul. Thank you for sharing. I listened to the fight between a panic attack and sanity you shared, thank you. they are tearing me right now, but that helped.

god I love this song

fiona apple is the best

What a gorgeous song. And now 21 years later she’s released yet another masterpiece album. A brilliant artist, the cream of the crop of her generation.

Fiona Apple, you are my spirit guide. I don't know how I might have navigated many of the crevices of my life without you there. This song absolutely killed me today.

The music instrumentation is also awesome

One of the few songs I could listen to til the ends of times...

Few artists impress me as much as Fiona Apple!

Is she blues? Alternative? Jazz? Truth be told, she creates this genre that is all her own. Perfection.

I've loved this song for so many years, brilliant lyrics. I now understand them too well. Breakups are always going to be hard, keep this in mind Luna. His borderline personality disorder is too much chaos, but he loved me except when he didn't and I miss him, I adore my alone but I'm lonely and it does hurt.... But starving works indeed.

I was 27 when this guy broke up with me. I bought this album and it helped me with my confusion and pain. I haven't heard this song in a very long time. and all of the memories just came RUSHING BACK. that time wasn't all bad. in fact, I really miss being young, even though I was stupid. but hearing this again makes me want to cry a little bit. and the video is very touching and true. are men really children who don't mature? it's like Fiona is Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz with a huge Lollipop Guild. great story there.

Fiona. You are such an inspiration. Such a insanely beautiful muse. I miss you dearly. I believe the world still needs you. Thank you for your work...

God she's wonderful

Beautiful video, I just wish it was in HD come on Sony, I'm sure this was shot on 35mm film by Paul Thomas Anderson - how about a better transfer?

Legendary. Iconic. Beautiful. Thoughtful. Amazing. Stellar. There aren't enough words to describe Fiona.

Fiona Apple is my music guilty pleasure.

I love this and the little boys as backup dancers in their suits emphasized the message behind the song. Anyone else come here after watching "The Idea Of You"???