Hewerdine (born Mark Hewerdine) moved to Cambridge as a child, but returned to London in his late teens, and worked in a record shop. Suffering from agoraphobia, it was not a happy time of his life, and he was fired from his job after being wrongly accused of theft. Returning to Cambridge, he teamed up with a friend with similar experiences and started to write songs. They formed the short-lived Placebo Thing, later renamed The Great Divide. They were heard by Mike Scott of The Waterboys, who recommended them to Ensign Records, where they cut two commercially unsuccessful singles. In 1985 Hewerdine, working once again in a record shop in Cambridge, formed The Bible, recruiting jazz drummer Tony Shepherd. They released an album of songs through the independent Norwich label Backs Records called Walking The Ghost Back Home.
The Bible became a fairly successful independent band, with a cult following spread mostly through word of mouth and live performances. Two tracks from the first album, Graceland and Mahalia were released as singles, but did not achieve very significant sales. The album however was very well received by music pundits, and this brought the band to the attention of Chrysalis Records. Signing to Chrysalis, Graceland and another track, Honey Be Good were (re)released as singles, and reached the lower end of the UK singles chart. A new album, Eureka followed, but failed commercially. In 1988, Hewerdine decided to leave the group and pursue solo projects. Calum MacColl and Neill MacColl from the group went on to form Liberty Horses.
At around this time Hewerdine met US "new country" singer Darden Smith, and this set him off in a new direction. Working together, he and Smith released a collaborative album, Evidence. Hewerdine also worked simultaneously on new solo songs, largely based on his earlier traumatic experiences in London. Eventually these were distilled down to produce the Ignorance album, released in 1992. Invited by Tori Amos to play support promoting these songs, Hewerdine managed to find a new audience and Ignorance and a single from the album, History, did relatively well commercially.
As Hewerdine's star rose, he started to write for other artists, among them Eddi Reader, Clive Gregson and Christine Collister. The Bible reformed for a tour in 1994. Further solo album releases followed, such as 1996's Baptist Hospital and 1999's Thanksgiving. Meanwhile Hewerdine was asked by long-time friend Nick Hornby to contribute music to the soundtrack for the movie version of his book High Fidelity, whose subject (working in a record shop) was also very close to Hewerdine's experiences.
Hewerdine continues to write and perform his own songs. Harmonograph, released on MVine/Red Grape Records in February 2006, is a collection of his songs written for other artists such as Eddi Reader and Hepburn, recorded by Hewerdine for the first time. 2008 saw two mini CD releases - Toy Box 1 and Toy Box 2 with art work by Hewerdine's grandmother. Hewerdine continues to tour regularly, playing a set featuring songs from through out his career from The Bible to Toy Box.
Apple Tree
Boo Hewerdine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What Adam said to Eve
Now I know the first thing
That you must believe
Can't escape from gravity
Underneath the apple tree
Oh-oh
Leave that on the shelf
It's only full of numbers
Won't tell you too much else
Can't escape from gravity
Underneath the apple tree
Oh-oh
See that silver moon
Silver moon shining in the sky
See that silver moon
Still going to be shining when you die
When you die
Look at all your riches
So shiny and so new
One day all that stuff's
Gonna come crashing down on you
Can't escape from gravity
Underneath the apple tree
Oh-oh
See that silver moon
Silver moon shining in the sky, yeah
See that silver moon
Still going to be shining when you die
When you die
I don't know where love is from
I've got no idea
But anyone can tell you
Soon as it gets here
Can't escape from gravity
Underneath the apple tree
Oh-oh
Can't escape from gravity
Underneath the apple tree
Oh-oh
Can't escape from gravity
Underneath the apple tree
Oh-oh
Boo Hewerdine's song "Apple Tree" is a reflection on life, death and the inevitability of gravity, using imagery from the Bible and nature. The lyrics suggest that the first thing to believe, as stated in the Bible, is that we cannot escape gravity, which is a metaphor for the weight of our lives and the force that will ultimately bring us down. This is reiterated in the chorus each time, "Can't escape from gravity, underneath the apple tree". The apple tree is also symbolic of the Garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve were thought to have eaten from the forbidden fruit, leading to their expulsion from paradise.
There is a sense of mortality in the song as the lyrics contemplate the silver moon, which will continue shining long after we are gone. The idea that all our possessions and riches will one day come crashing down on us further highlights the theme of impermanence in life. There is also a reference to love, suggesting that while the origin of love may be a mystery, its effect on us is undeniable.
In conclusion, "Apple Tree" is a poetic contemplation on the transience of life and the inevitability of gravity. The rich imagery used in the lyrics connects the theme of gravity to the Bible, nature, and human existence.
Line by Line Meaning
Read it in the Bible
This line implies that the song is based on the story of Adam and Eve's first sin as it is mentioned in the Holy Bible.
What Adam said to Eve
This line refers to the conversation between Adam and Eve when they ate the forbidden fruit from the apple tree and were banished from the Garden of Eden.
Now I know the first thing that you must believe
The singer is insisting that believing in the gravity that holds us to the earth is the first and most crucial thing one should accept as true.
Can't escape from gravity
This line reminds us that no one can escape the gravitational pull of the earth, and we must always be mindful of that reality.
Underneath the apple tree
The apple tree symbolizes humanity's first sin, namely the original fall of man and is used as a metaphor throughout the song.
You can keep your science book
The singer is telling us that science does not provide answers to all of our questions about life, and we should not rely solely on it as our guide.
Leave that on the shelf
This line implies that science should be ignored at times, and we should listen to other voices for guidance and understanding.
See that silver moon shining in the sky
The moon symbolizes the eternal and unchanging nature of the universe, something that will remain in place long after we are gone.
Still going to be shining when you die
This line is a reminder that life is fleeting, but some things like the moon and the earth's gravity will outlast us all.
Look at all your riches
The singer is pointing out that even though people amass vast material wealth, it ultimately means nothing as it cannot protect them from the inevitability of life and death.
So shiny and so new
Material wealth can be superficially impressive, but its short-lived nature means that it cannot sustain us.
Gonna come crashing down on you
The singer warns us that material wealth and materialism, which can be empty and lacking, comes with a crash when it is lost, stolen, or lost its value over time.
I don't know where love is from
The singer admits that despite his love and passion for someone, he is uncertain about the origin and meaning of love and its complex emotions.
I've got no idea
This line underscores the singer's belief in the mystery and wonder of love, which is beyond anyone's understanding or rational explanation.
Anyone can tell you soon as it gets here
The refrain suggests that when love arrives in someone's life, it is impossible to ignore or resist, and anyone can recognize and feel its effects.
Can't escape from gravity
The final repetition of this line reinforces the idea that we are bound to the earth's gravity and should keep it in mind as we navigate various aspects of our lives.
Underneath the apple tree
This line brings the song full circle, back to the beginning, and reinforces the idea that the apple tree is a symbol of humanity's place on earth and our fall from grace.
Writer(s): Mark Nicholas Hewerdine, Holly Hewerdine
Contributed by Mateo J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.