Appletree by Erykah Badu Lyrics Meaning – Decoding The Layers of Self-Awareness and Choice
Lyrics
I have some food in my bag for you
Not that edible food, the food you eat?
No, I have some food for thought
Since knowledge is infinite it has infinitely fell on me
So uhm
It was a stormy night
You know the kind where the lightning strike
And I was hangin’ out wit some of my “artsy” friends
Ooh wee ooh wee ooh
The night was long the night went on
People coolin’ out until the break of dawn
Incense was burnin’ so I’m feelin’ right, aight
See I picks my friends like I pick my fruit
And Granny told me that when I was only a youth
I don’t go ’round trying to be what I’m not
I don’t waste my time trying ta get what you got
I work at pleasin’ me cause I can’t please you
And that’s why I do what I do
My soul flies free like a willow tree
Doo wee doo wee do wee
And if you don’t want to be down with me
You don’t want to pick from my apple tree
And if you don’t want to be down with me
Then you don’t want to pick from my apple tree
And if you don’t want to be down with me
Then you don’t want to pick from my apple tree
And if you don’t want to be down with me
You just don’t want to be down
I have a ho
And I take it everywhere I go
‘Cause I’m planting seeds
So I reaps What I sow ya know
Oh on and on and on and on
My cipher keeps movin’ like a rollin’ stone
I can’t control the soul flowin’ in me
Ooh wee
See I picks my friends like I pick my fruit
And Granny told me that when I was only a youth
I don’t walk around trying to be what I’m not
I don’t waste my time trying ta get what you got
I work at pleasin’ me ’cause I can’t please you
And that’s why I do what I do
My soul flies free like a willow tree
Doo wee doo wee do wee
And if you don’t want to be down with me
You don’t want to pick from my apple tree
And if you don’t want to be down with me
Then you don’t want to pick from my apple tree
And if you don’t want to be down with me
Then you don’t want to pick from my apple tree
And if you don’t want to be down with me
You just don’t want to be down
Oh my, my, my
Oh my, my, my
Oh my, my, my, ah
Oh my, my, my, my, my, my, my
Oh
I picks my friends like I pick my fruit
And Granny told me that when I was only a youth
I don’t walk around trying to be what I’m not
I don’t waste my time trying ta get what you got
I work at pleasin’ me ’cause I can’t please you
And that’s why I do what I do
My soul flies free like a willow tree
Doo wee doo wee do wee
And if you don’t want to be down with me
You don’t want to pick from my apple tree
And if you don’t want to be down with me
You dum dum diddy
And if you don’t want to be down with me
You don’t want to pick from my apple tree
And if you don’t want to be down with me
You just don’t want to be down
You just don’t want to be down
Oh you just don’t want to be down
Down, down, down
You just don’t want to be down
Oh
You just don’t want to be down
Down, down, down, down, down, down, down, down, down
Erykah Badu’s ‘Appletree’ is a wellspring of metaphysical poetry masquerading as a soulful tune. Not just a mere piece of music, it resonates with the frequency of self-awareness, self-care, and the power of discerning choice. These themes are intricately woven into the fabric of the song’s lyrics and its subtle yet powerful delivery.
With the audaciousness of a modern-day Sappho, Badu delivers wisdom through the allegory of an apple tree, a metaphor that stretches beyond its biblical resonance to embody the essence of personal choice and the nourishment derived from conscious decisions within her circle of friends and the deeper understanding of life.
An Orchard of Choices: Selectivity in Personal Relationships
The recurring line, ‘And if you don’t want to be down with me, you don’t want to pick from my apple tree,’ encapsulates Badu’s anthem to mindful selection of associates. It’s an invocation to quality over quantity, suggesting that the company one keeps should be as carefully chosen as the ripest fruit in an orchard will bear the sweetest taste.
Badu’s reference to the guidance of her Granny underscores how this wisdom is rooted in tradition, yet her delivery is anything but outdated. The song chimes with the importance of exercising autonomy and choosing friends who complement and elevate one’s vibrational energy.
Defiance in the Melody: The Anthem of Authenticity
Erykah Badu’s strong-willed refrain of not being swayed by others’ opinions or possessions (‘I don’t walk around trying to be what I’m not’) lays down a powerful principle of self-identity. Here the meaning dives into the oceans of authenticity, where Badu emerges as an advocate for realness.
Through repetition, she fortifies the stance of being true to oneself amidst societal pressures to conform. It’s a clarion call to individualism, embracing the quirks and facets that make each person distinctive.
Cultivating Your Inner Garden: The Metaphor of Sowing Seeds
In delving deeper into the lyrics, there lies the symbol of the ‘ho’ that Badu carries, not as a tool of labor but as an emblem of growth and personal responsibility. It reflects the singer’s commitment to ‘planting seeds,’ or instilling ideas and values that will flourish in due course.
This idea echoes the timeless adage that you ‘reap what you sow,’ reinforcing that deliberate actions and thoughts today will bloom into the realities of tomorrow. Badu’s lyrical prowess turns a gardening instrument into a beacon of hope and introspection.
‘My soul flies free like a willow tree’: The Emblem of Liberation
The song’s liberation motif soars through the verse ‘My soul flies free like a willow tree.’ Badu’s comparison to the willow, known for its resilience and bending flexibility, encapsulates her own spiritual freedom and resistance to external forces.
There is beauty and strength in the willow’s ability to sway with, not against, the storm. It’s illustrative of Badu’s life philosophy, as she encourages embracing life’s unpredictability with grace and fluidity.
Beyond the Apple: Uncovering the Song’s Hidden Meaning
While ‘Appletree’ exudes a tone of personal growth and friendship, its layers go far beyond. It’s a song about boundaries, about saying no to conforming to other people’s expectations, and about asserting one’s power to decide what influences to accept into one’s life.
The ‘apple tree’ symbolizes not only wisdom and temptation but also the offering of one’s personal fruits, whether they be gifts, talents, or presence. Those unworthy or uninterested in what Badu has to offer are calmly acknowledged, and then she moves on, preserving her essence for those who value it.
