Fiona Apple cover of The Whole of the Moon - Live version

Fiona Apple covered The Waterboys’ The Whole of the Moon for the series finale of Showtime’s The Affair. She asked Tony Berg to produce the record. Tony called in Matt Chamberlain, Patrick Warren, Ethan Gruska, Wendy Melvoin, and Phoebe Bridgers.

Fiona has worked often with Matt and Patrick and knew Ethan as the brother of her former bandmate, drummer, Barbara. This was the first time she had met Wendy and Phoebe and fell in love with both of them.

In a few hours they produced this beautiful rendition of a classic written by Mike Scott. After Mr. Scott (@ MickPuck) heard the performance he tweeted – “Prepare ye to receive goosebumps.”

Fiona practiced the first take in a small vocal closet but when it came time for the main event, Tony moved Fiona into the big room where she had a great expanse to sing into. I tagged along with my new camera which I could barely work because I had forgotten my glasses – couldn’t see the buttons, couldn’t focus. Despite the crappy camera work of a blind photographer, the magic that is Fiona shines through. I hope you enjoy this captivating version of a sublime song.

Drums – Matt Chamberlain
Chamberlin – Patrick Warren
Bass – Wendy Melvoin
Piano – Ethan Gruska
Background Vocals – Phoebe Bridgers

BTW, Fiona was named after a character in the musical, Brigadoon. And Tony Berg is the one who described Fiona as "pissed off, funny, and warm."

[AR-ejxw]

I have two things to say about this performance.

First, it saved my life. Not in a metaphorical way, not in a way attenuated from reality, and not in the way "saving one's life" is sometimes used to mean "I really like this and it felt restorative to me." I mean I was going to shoot myself in the head and then I heard this cover and I listened to it for about three hours and decided not to as, I think, a direct consequence. And I don't mean to over-attribute meaning to the song itself in this process, either. Both my reasons for wanting to die, and my reasons for surviving, are unrelated to the song. Really, the song reminded me of a person, and I decided that she would be sad to find out, and so I ought to endure, for her if for no other.

But that's the power of music, at least for me. It summons ghosts and spirits and maybe God. This song summoned a ghost who saved my life. I'll spare her the pain as long as I can.

Second, if I had the talent or the capability for creative expression that Fiona Apple loses in a thumbnail clipping, I should count myself fortunate beyond measure. I am overawed by this performance and astonished it isn't the most popular piece of "pop music, " as it were, in recent years.

Anyway, suffice it to say, thanks for posting this.

[nickhulston]

God this is something build, the intensity, the rasp in her voice, the rich, warm sound of the she's not 'singing' as much as releasing the lyrics out of her self. Transcendent.

[trackit]

I don’t have words for how AWESOME this rendition of the song is. I absolutely love Fiona’s fire through her vocal expression.

[louisgreenstein]

One of my all time favorite covers. When the Waterboys sing it, it's "you saw the whole of the moon and I love you for it." When Fiona sings it, it's "You saw the whole of the moon and I'll never forgive you for it."

[geoffwolfe]

There is likely no bigger fan of The Waterboys than myself. The thought of another artist covering one of Mike Scott's gems seemed like heresy. I stand humbled and publicly corrected. Fiona Apple has delivered a definitive version of this marvelous song. The raw emotion and vulnerability of this performance is unmatched by anything I've seen before. And the physicality of the performance! I love the shot toward the end showing her foot keeping the beat! Wow. What a great song and interpretation.

[izaakdaviddiggs]

You know its a remarkable performance when you think to yourself, "This is fucking powerful...and I cannot explain why." If you can explain it, there is no magic, just mathematics. Fiona seems this collision of contrictions, deeply vulnerable yet fiercesome...

[-danewraith]

"The Affair" brought me here. There are just a handful of artists that can sing with their entire being .... Fiona is phenomenal with this song. To say I love it, would be a gross understatement. There are songs you remember over your life. I am 73 years old. This is something I will take to the grave with me.

[spacecowboyk]

I can't get through the first two lines without bawling. It's not only the lyrics, it's Fiona's performance.

[jdm]

I can't get over how abruptly she goes from "genius artist possessed by the music" to "silly person who dances like a dork" as soon as she is done!

(And I love it)

[wml]

I'm 70 and I'm a Fiona fan. Never too late to have a happy childhood!!

[son_of_a_Bun]

She feels every damn word she is singing with every inch of her body. It's so mesmerizing.

[AdreamThatwasRome]

This song means so much to so many. It's 2023. Times are tough but keep this kind of energy going 🙌

[marygildea]

Can I be a Fiona Apple fan girl at age 67? ❤️❤️

[rickheisler]

I have a twin brother who lived clear across country but we texted everyday about childhood memories, inside jokes, etc. Not too long ago he and I fell in love with this version after I stumbled onto it via The Affair (but we were lucky enough to love the Waterboys in college) and probably account ourselves for about 100, 000 views on the above viewer counter. We loved this soul-shaking version SO. Much. that both of us said, "You know, I think I'd want this played at my funeral." Well, he died of a heart attack in late 2021 way far too young. I posted part of the lyrics in his obituary -- it describes how we different people think and act -- and let me tell you - we survivors will sure as shit play this at his post-Covid remembrance soon (and maybe try the flashmob dance too from The Affair). Thanks Fiona for pouring every single available life-affirming molecule of experience and power into this!

[m.a.g.]

She is intensity, the crack of light in the dark.

[robv]

I was managing record stores when Fiona Apple released her debut. I was never a fanboy but I thought it was a good record. Never bothered me when all the employees played the hell out of it. I liked it. That was 1996 and towards the end of my record store days. I hung on till 1999.

Flash forward and my wife says “Hey, check this out. I know you really liked The Waterboys.” I listened and watched. Then I listened and watched again. And again. It is just a perfect glimpse of an artist giving it all she’s got and losing herself in a song. Just fantastic to watch and damn fine version if I may say. I don’t comment on YouTube videos pretty much ever but props to Fiona Apple.

[scottcates]

This performance gives me chills. The way she performs is a really honest way to communicate feelings. Maybe there is hope for me, yet.

[ROCKAPOTAMUSINMYHAND]

She's sounds as good as she did a quarter of a century ago.

And that smile and dance at the end is as beautiful as she is at 43 without a stich of makeup.

[smugsheep]

No one should have such perfect taste... it hurts more to know someone felt like I do...
Truly a magical performance, from her soul to our heart.

[hc]

Galway girl here, big fan of the Waterboys. I have seen them live several times over the years. I usually hate versions of original songs that I love, but this is raw real and really good. Love it!!!!