On the Bound album art

On the Bound

Fiona Apple
When the Pawn... (1999)
Moderate 95 BPM
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Song DNA

Dynamic Range7/10
Sudden Changesmild
Texturelayered
Predictabilitymedium
Vocal Styledynamic vocals
Notes: Layered orchestration with jazzy, funky grooves and moody piano creates a rich, immersive soundscape; dynamic vocals shift from light floating verses to deep throaty choruses without extreme harshness.

Misophonia Triggers

Mouth Soundsnone
Percussive Clicksnone
Breathing Soundsnone
Repetitive Micro-soundsnone

Opening track featuring introspective lyrics on relationships, sultry vocals, and orchestral arrangements blending jazz, funk, and blues influences.

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Hear it the way it was made

The right gear changes everything.

Moods: edgy, introspective, melancholy

Traditions: alternative, blues, jazz

How this song sits on each sensory axis

A dynamic range of 7/10 means this song moves. Expect a real volume climb between quiet sections and the loudest part of the arrangement — enough that you may want to set the initial volume below where you'd normally land.

Sudden changes: mild. There are one or two transitions worth knowing about, though they're musically resolved rather than surprise-driven.

Texture is layered — a full arrangement with clear separation between parts.

Predictability is medium — conventional structure overall, with one or two moments that deviate from what you'd expect.

Vocal style: dynamic vocals.

Where this sits in Fiona Apple's catalog

We have 46 songs from Fiona Apple in the library. Of those, 3 are rated Safe, 32 Moderate, and 11 Intense. This song's dynamic range of 7/10 sits above the artist average of 6.7, making it the #13 most dynamic track of theirs in our library.

Other tracks from When the Pawn...

We have 7 songs from this album. Overall, the album leans moderate in sensory profile.

1999 context

Released in 1999. We have 304 songs from that year in our library, averaging a dynamic range of 6.3/10. This track is about average than the year average. Explore more from the 1990s.

Explore by mood and tradition

Moods
edgy · 2introspective · 5721melancholy · 5399
Traditions
alternative · 135blues · 342jazz · 890

Why this rating

We rate this song Moderate because it falls between our Safe and Intense thresholds on at least one dimension. Moderate is the default for most well-produced music that has real arc but no surprise elements. Full rubric: methodology.

Rating last reviewed: 2026-04-13. Reviewed by the Music I Want editorial team against the documented methodology.

Think this rating is wrong? Email the editor — every message is read and ratings get revised.

Frequently asked about "On the Bound"

Quick answers pulled from the song's sensory analysis.

What is the sensory intensity of "On the Bound" by Fiona Apple?

"On the Bound" by Fiona Apple rates as Moderate intensity. Dynamic range 7/10, mild sudden changes, layered texture. Moderate is the default for well-produced music with real arc but no surprise elements.

How loud is "On the Bound" — what is its dynamic range?

"On the Bound" has a dynamic range of 7/10. Noticeable climb from quiet sections to loudest point. Set opening volume slightly lower than your preferred peak.

Does "On the Bound" have sudden or surprising changes?

"On the Bound" has mild sudden changes — one or two transitions worth knowing about, but they are musically resolved rather than surprise-driven.

What is "On the Bound" best for?

In our library "On the Bound" is recommended for: deep listening, emotional release, focus. These tags are assigned only where the song's sensory profile genuinely supports the use case.

When was "On the Bound" released?

"On the Bound" is from 1999, on the album "When the Pawn...". It appears in our 1990s catalog.

What is the emotional mood of "On the Bound"?

We tag "On the Bound" as edgy, introspective, melancholy. Moods are tonal descriptors based on how the song reads emotionally — separate from the sensory intensity axes.

What is the vocal style of "On the Bound"?

The vocal style is dynamic vocals.

Should I listen to "On the Bound"?

"On the Bound" is Moderate intensity — fine for most listeners, but with enough dynamic activity that it works best as active listening rather than background.

Songs with the same DNA

layered texture, similar intensity — across any genre or era.

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DR 7
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moderate
DR 6
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Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee
Jerry Lee Lewis
moderate
DR 7
Following Eyes
Soccer Mommy
intense
DR 7
Where Are You
Dexter Gordon
moderate
DR 7

Safer alternatives with a similar feel

These songs share similar moods but with a gentler sensory profile.

Blowin' in the Wind
Bob Dylan safe
If You Could Read My Mind
Gordon Lightfoot safe
It's Too Late
Carole King safe
If I Were a Boy
Beyoncé safe
Please, Please, Please
James Brown safe

What this song means to people

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