Bonita Applebum
A Tribe Called Quest Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Do I love you?
Do I lust for you?
Am I a sinner because I do the two?
Can you let me know
Right now, please
Bonita Applebum?

Bonita Applebum, you gotta put me on
Bonita Applebum, I said you gotta put me on
Bonita Applebum, gotta put me on
Bonita Applebum, I said you gotta put me on
Bonita Applebum, gotta put me on
Bonita Applebum, I said you gotta put me on
Bonita Applebum, you gotta put me on
Bonita, Bonita, Bonita

Hey, Bonita, glad to meet ya
For the cunning, stunning you, miss, I must beseech ya, mhm
Hey, being with you is a top priority
Ain't no need to question the authority, mhm
Chairman of the board, the chief of affections
You got mine's to swing in your direction
Hey, you're like a hip hop song, you know?
Bonita Applebum, you gotta put me on

Bonita Applebum, you gotta put me on
Bonita Applebum, I said you gotta put me on
Bonita Applebum, you gotta put me on
Bonita Applebum, I said you gotta put me on
Bonita Applebum, you gotta put me on
Bonita Applebum, I said you gotta put me on
Bonita Applebum, you gotta put me on
Bonita, Bonita, Bonita

38-24-37 (mmm, mmm, mmm)
You and me, hun, we're a match made in Heaven
I like to kiss ya where some brothers won't
Listen, I like to tell ya things some brothers don't, mhm
If only you could see through your elaborate eyes
Only you and me, hun, the love never dies
Satisfaction, I have the right tactics
And if you need 'em, I got crazy prophylactics
So far, I hope you like rap songs
Bonita Applebum, you gotta put me on

Bonita Applebum, you gotta put me on
Bonita Applebum, I said you gotta put me on
Bonita Applebum, you gotta put me on
Bonita Applebum, I said you gotta put me on
Bonita Applebum, you gotta put me on
Bonita Applebum, I said you gotta put me on
Bonita Applebum, you gotta put me on
Bonita, Bonita, Bonita

(Sex, sex)




(Sex, freaks)
(Freaks, peace)

Overall Meaning

In A Tribe Called Quest's song Bonita Applebum, the lyrics suggest a man's desire for a woman named Bonita Applebum. The first stanza poses a question about the nature of the man's feelings, questioning whether he loves or lusts after her, and asking if he is a sinner for doing both. The following stanzas express the man's strong desire to be with Bonita and be put on by her. He praises her beauty and places her as his top priority. He sees himself as the "chairman of the board" and "chief of affections," wanting to be with Bonita and win her over. In the final stanza, he gives his measurements and talks about his tactics, wanting to be with Bonita and have a sexual relationship with her.


The lyrics of Bonita Applebum reflect common themes of love and desire for a woman, but the song is unique in its approach. Rather than being overly sexual or aggressive, the tone is playful and laid back. The lyrics are clever, mixing clever metaphors and wordplay with simpler phrases related to desire. The repetition of the name Bonita and the catchy melody make the song memorable and easy to sing along to. Overall, Bonita Applebum is a classic example of A Tribe Called Quest's mix of smooth beats, catchy hooks, and intelligent lyrics.


Line by Line Meaning

Do I love you?
Do I have genuine feelings of love for you?


Do I lust for you?
Do I have a strong desire for you?


Am I a sinner because I do the two?
Is it morally wrong to have both love and lust for you?


Can you let me know
Can you answer my questions about your feelings towards me?


Right now, please
I am eager to hear your answer immediately.


Bonita Applebum?
I am referring to you, Bonita Applebum.


Hey, Bonita, glad to meet ya
Hello, Bonita, I am happy to meet you.


For the cunning, stunning you, miss, I must beseech ya, mhm
I am requesting your attention because I find you attractive and impressive, Miss Bonita.


Hey, being with you is a top priority
Spending time with you is extremely important to me.


Ain't no need to question the authority, mhm
You can trust me and my decisions in our relationship, Bonita.


Chairman of the board, the chief of affections
I am the in-charge of our romance and loving emotions, Bonita.


You got mine's to swing in your direction
I am interested in aligning my thoughts and feelings with yours.


Hey, you're like a hip hop song, you know?
Bonita, you are as amazing as a classic hip hop song.


38-24-37 (mmm, mmm, mmm)
The numbers refer to your body measurements that I find attractive, Bonita.


You and me, hun, we're a match made in Heaven
We make an outstanding couple, honey.


I like to kiss ya where some brothers won't
I have specific desires for where to kiss you that not all men may have.


Listen, I like to tell ya things some brothers don't, mhm
I am open and honest with you, even about subjects some men may be hesitant to talk about.


If only you could see through your elaborate eyes
If only Bonita could see her own beauty and worth as I do.


Only you and me, hun, the love never dies
Our love is eternal, honey, and no one else can compete with what we share.


Satisfaction, I have the right tactics
I know how to satisfy you, Bonita, and I have the best approach for doing so.


And if you need 'em, I got crazy prophylactics
I have protection to keep us both safe during sexual activity.


So far, I hope you like rap songs
I hope our relationship is going well, and that you enjoy the same things I do.


Bonita Applebum, you gotta put me on
I am asking you to give me a chance in our relationship, Bonita.


(Sex, sex)
This is a repeated reference to sexual activity.


(Sex, freaks)
Another reference to sex, and possibly to unconventional sexual behavior.


(Freaks, peace)
A reference to embracing differences and living peacefully with them.




Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Charles Stepney, Edwin Birdsong, Kamaal Fareed, Roy Ayers, Walter Booker, William Allen, Ali Muhammad

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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