Summer's career began in 1983 when she was cast as the voice of niece Penny on the original cartoon version of Inspector Gadget. Her unique, throaty voice was instantly recognizable to casting agents (as well as viewers even today), who began frequently casting her in animated programs. Many of these were part of cult franchises, like The Care Bears Movie and Ewoks. Audiences finally had a chance to put Summer's voice to a face when she was cast as the afrocentric Winifred "Freddie" Brooks in the Cosby Show spin-off A Different World. She remained a regular cast member of the show from 1988 through its end in 1993.
In all, Summer has voiced over 70 animated characters between 1983 and 2006, many of them African-American girls. Summer has also ventured into the realm of music. In 1990, she sang background vocals on two tracks for fellow A Different World cast member Jasmine Guy's self titled LP. In 1993 she released an album (as lead singer) with her band Subject to Change. The album was not officially released by Capitol Records because of creative differences; the records that were produced were distributed promotionally and are considered a rarity. The band, with an aggressive political message and rock-soul fusion sound, remained popular as a co-headlining act with other performers.
In 1999 Summer released the solo album Street Faërie produced by and featuring guest artist (and friend) Lenny Kravitz; The album was not hugely successful. Summer toured as Kravitz's opening act, but her label dropped her and a planned spot with Lilith Fair was cancelled. The label continued to promote it, however, sending out a four-track sampler to radio and issuing remix singles of the track "Revelation Sunshine" in Europe, with a special single specifically for Austria.
Fall
Cree Summer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I shrivel more into colors you ignore
As the earth swallows me
You crush the fire red
Standing on my head you crush the fire red
Leaving me for dead
Splendid decay spiraling down to my toes
Yellow wilts holes for you to see through
Crumpled blue my bare pink womb can't shelter you
You crush the fire red
Standing on my head you crush the fire red
Leaving me for dead
Splendid decay spiraling down to my toes
Black stemmed orange trimmed
With the slightest wind I'm falling from you
Dry and loud stained and proud
Like a bursting cloud I'm falling from you
You're so mean when you scream in bright green
In my ear you're loud and clear I can hear
Sunken and gray you used to say I'm not enough for you
I will bleed you a seed to start a new I'm falling from you
Black stemmed orange trimmed
With the slightest wind I'm falling from you
Dry and loud stained and proud
Like a bursting cloud I'm falling from you
The poetic song "Fall" by Cree Summer is a beautiful representation of the struggle that a person goes through in their journey of self-discovery. The lyrics are profound and thought-provoking, and reveal the vulnerability and pain that the artist is feeling.
The opening lines, "I'm browning, I'm wrinkling, you don't see / I shrivel more into colors you ignore" talks about how the artist feels that they are being ignored, and not seen for who they truly are. They go on to say, "As the earth swallows me / You crush the fire red", which could be interpreted as the artist feeling like they are being swallowed up by the world, and that the fire in them is being crushed by external forces.
The second verse talks more about how the artist feels like they are deteriorating, "Yellow wilts holes for you to see through / Crumpled blue my bare pink womb can't shelter you". They feel like they are falling apart and can no longer protect the person who they are singing to. The chorus further emphasizes the negative impact of this person on them, "Standing on my head you crush the fire red / Leaving me for dead / Splendid decay spiraling down to my toes".
The bridge of the song is particularly intense. The lyrics "You're so mean when you scream in bright green / In my ear, you're loud and clear I can hear / Sunken and gray, you used to say I'm not enough for you / I will bleed you a seed to start anew, I'm falling from you" showcase the pain that the artist is going through. They feel like they are not enough for this person and are starting to move on from them.
Overall, Cree Summer's "Fall" is a magnificent piece of art that speaks to the struggles of life and love. It is a song that many people can relate to, and its emotional depth makes it an unforgettable piece.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm browning, I'm wrinkling, you don't see
I'm aging, I'm changing, but you're not noticing
I shrivel more into colors you ignore
As I decay and fade away, you pay me no attention
As the earth swallows me
As I become a part of nature's cycle of life and death
You crush the fire red
You destroy the energy and passion that once burned within me
Standing on my head you crush the fire red
You exert power and control over me, snuffing out my vitality
Leaving me for dead
Abandoning me in my weakened state, without care or mercy
Splendid decay spiraling down to my toes
The beauty of my decline and deterioration is gradually taking over my entire being
Yellow wilts holes for you to see through
My once vibrant yellow color has faded and wilted, exposing my frailty
Crumpled blue my bare pink womb can't shelter you
My blue essence is now crumpled and weak, unable to provide protection and nurturing
Black stemmed orange trimmed
My physical form is becoming increasingly dark and lifeless, with only traces of brightness and hope left
With the slightest wind I'm falling from you
I'm so weak and fragile that even a slight breeze can cause me to break away and fall apart
Dry and loud stained and proud
Despite my withering state, I am still making a statement and drawing attention in my own unique way
Like a bursting cloud I'm falling from you
Just like how a cloud can burst and release its contents, I am falling apart and letting go of what I once held inside
You're so mean when you scream in bright green
Your words and actions towards me are harsh, cruel and piercing, leaving me feeling exposed and vulnerable
In my ear you're loud and clear I can hear
Your message to me is loud and unmistakable, echoing in my mind and heart
Sunken and gray you used to say I'm not enough for you
You have made it clear that I don't measure up to your standards, leaving me feeling worthless and inadequate
I will bleed you a seed to start a new I'm falling from you
Despite your rejection and indifference, I will give you a part of me to help you start anew, even as I continue to fall away and disappear
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CREE SUMMER, TORRELL RUFFIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind