She is best known for her singles You Got Me her collaboration with The Roots, as well as her own songs Tyrone, Love of My Life, On & On, Bag Lady, The Healer, Honey and Soldier. Her lyrics are highly personal urban philosophy which throw emotional challenges in the face of the listener. She weaves unusual musical influences together creating a rich texture of sound.
Some music journalists have labeled her Nu soul, nouvelle-soul or neo soul, often comparing her to Billie Holiday in lyrical delivery and grouping her with Maxwell and D'Angelo in musical genre.
Baduizm, Badu's highly acclaimed debut album, was released in early 1997 and debuted at #2 on the Billboard charts. Lead single On & On reached #12 on the singles charts in both the U.S. and UK. Badu received notice for her introspective lyrics and jazzy, bass-heavy sound, and was hailed as one of the leading lights of the burgeoning neo soul genre. Her sophisticated style of singing drew many comparisons to Billie Holiday. Baduizm eventually went triple platinum and, along with On & On, won Grammy Awards at the 1998 ceremonies.
During that year, Badu became involved with rapper André 3000 of OutKast, with whom she had a child, Seven, who was born in 1997. Their relationship ended sometime in the late 90s. Badu recorded her first live album, Live, while pregnant with Seven, and the release of the recording coincided with the birth to her child. Live reached #4 on the Billboard charts, selling double platinum, and spawned another R&B hit single in Tyrone a song chiding a selfish, cheap, and inattentive boyfriend. Badu also collaborated with The Roots (who had previously handled production duties on a number of tracks on Baduizm) on their breakthrough 1999 release, Things Fall Apart. She was featured on the song You Got Me co-written by Jill Scott, which hit the top 40 and won a Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.
After taking some time off to raise her child, Badu returned in 2000 with Mama's Gun, an album more organic in sound than her previous studio album, and primarily produced by the Soulquarians and noted bassist Pino Palladino. A remix of one of the album's songs, Bag Lady was issued as the first single and topped the R&B charts for seven weeks. The album was well-received, with the lyrical content winning notices from many publications who found some of her lyrics hard to decipher on her initial releases. Despite not charting as high as her first two albums, Mama's Gun was another platinum-selling success, and Bag Lady was nominated for a Grammy.
By 2000, Badu was in a romantic relationship with fellow Soulquarian Common, and Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop) was released as a collaboration between the two on the Brown Sugar soundtrack. Love of My Life hit #9 on the pop charts, topped the R&B listings, and Badu was awarded her fourth Grammy for the song in 2003.
After the release of Mama's Gun and Love of My Life, Badu went through a period of writer's block. She hit the road throughout 2002 and much of 2003 on what she dubbed the "Frustrated Artist Tour," in search of inspiration to write and perform new material. The conclusion of the tour saw Badu head back to the studio with new material, and in September of 2003, the Worldwide Underground was released. More jam-oriented than any of her prior releases, Badu was quoted as saying that the release was designed to serve as one continuous groove. Worldwide Underground reached #3 on the Billboard charts and was certified gold not long after its release, and Badu received four further Grammy nominations for the EP.
After almost four years and the birth of a daughter, Puma, it was revealed in 2007 that Badu had three albums in the works over the course of 2007 and 2008. Honey, a new single produced by 9th Wonder, was leaked online in November 2007, and the new album, titled New Amerykah Part One (4th World War), was released on February 26, 2008.
On August 23, 2008, Badu joined the rock band My Morning Jacket on stage at their show in Dallas, Texas to perform her song Tyrone. Her surprise appearance was met with an enthusiastic reaction from the audience.
On February 1, 2009 Badu gave birth to her third child, a girl named Mars Merkaba with her boyfriend Jay Electronica.
Her album New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) was released on March 30, 2010.
Apple Tree
Erykah Badu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 umm
It was a stormy night
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
& Ganny 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 appletree
And if you don't want to be down with me
Then you don't want to pick from my appletree
And if you don't want to be down with me
Then you don't want to pick from my appletree
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 & on & on & 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
& Ganny 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 appletree
And if you don't want to be down with me
Then you don't want to pick from my appletree
And if you don't want to be down with me
Then you don't want to pick from my appletree
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
& Ganny 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 appletree
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 appletree
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
Ohh you just don't want to be down
Down, down, down
You just don't want to be down
Ohh
You just don't want to be down
Down
The lyrics to Erykah Badu's song "Apple Tree" serve as a declaration of independence, freedom, and self-sufficiency. The song begins with Erykah addressing those who seek spiritual enlightenment and mental growth, stating that she has a metaphorical bag of food for them, namely food for thought, as knowledge has infinitely fallen on her. She then recounts a stormy night spent with artistic friends, enjoying the night in until the break of dawn. The environment is set by incense burning, and Erykah is in the right zone.
Erykah then declares her independence, saying that she will be her true self and that she does not change to suit others. She learned this from her grandmother, who taught her to pick her friends as she would pick fruit. Erykah does not waste her energy attempting to be someone else, nor does she chase material items that do not hold intrinsic value to her. She focuses on herself because she cannot please others. Her soul flies free like a willow tree, and she urges people to understand that if they do not want to be down with her, then they do not want to pick from her apple tree.
In conclusion, "Apple Tree" is an empowering, free-spirited tune that communicates the message of embracing one's true self. The use of fruit as a metaphor for friends is brilliant, and the song's theme of being true to oneself is evergreen and relatable.
Line by Line Meaning
I'd like to dedicate this to all of the Creator's righteous children
This song is dedicated to all those who are true to themselves and follow the righteous path of the Creator.
I have some food in my bag for you
I have some thoughts and insights to share with you.
Not that edible food the food you eat?
No, it's not actual food you eat, but rather food for thought.
No I have some food for thought
I have some knowledge and wisdom to share with you.
Since knowledge is infinite it has infinitely fell on me
I have infinite knowledge and wisdom because I have been exposed to it constantly.
It was a stormy night
The setting is a dark and stormy night.
You know the kind where the lightning strike
It was a night with intense and striking lightning.
And I was hangin' out wit some of my 'artsy' friends
I was spending time with my creative and artistic friends.
The night was long the night went on
The night was endless and seemed to go on forever.
People coolin' out until the break of dawn
People were relaxing and enjoying the night until sunrise.
Incense was burnin' so I'm feelin right aight
The burning incense created a pleasant atmosphere and made me feel comfortable and relaxed.
See I picks my friends like I pick my fruit
I choose my friends carefully, just like how I choose the ripest fruit.
& Ganny told me that when I was only a youth
My grandmother taught me this lesson when I was young.
I don't go 'round trying to be what I'm not
I'm authentic and true to myself, not trying to be someone else.
I don't waste my time trying ta get what you got
I don't envy or covet what others have, because I'm content with what I have.
I work at pleasin' me cause I can't please you
I focus on my own happiness because I can't control whether or not others will be pleased with me.
And that's why I do what I do
This is my philosophy and it's the reason why I live my life the way I do.
My soul flies free like a willow tree Doo wee doo wee do wee
I feel free and at peace with myself like the swaying branches of a willow tree.
And if you don't want to be down with me You don't want to pick from my appletree
If you don't accept me and my philosophy, you can't benefit from the knowledge and wisdom that I have to offer.
And if you don't want to be down with me You just don't want to be down
If you can't accept me for who I am, then you're missing out on being a part of my life and my community.
I have a ho And I take it everywhere I go
I have a harmonica and I play it wherever I go.
Cause I'm planting seeds So I reaps What I sow ya know
I'm spreading knowledge and wisdom wherever I go, and I will reap the benefits of that in the future.
My cipher keeps movin' like a rollin' stone
My circle of influence and my knowledge base are constantly evolving and changing, like a rolling stone.
I can't control the soul flowin' in me Ooh wee
I can't control the natural flow of my soul and my inner being.
You dum dum diddy
This is a playful insult to someone who refuses to accept me for who I am.
Oh my my my Oh my my my Oh my my my ah Oh my my my my my my my Oh
These are vocal improvizations and don't have a clear meaning or purpose.
Down, down, down You just don't want to be down Ohh You just don't want to be down
Reiterating the idea that if you can't accept me for who I am, then you are missing out on being a part of my community and my life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ERICA WRIGHT, ROBERT BRADFORD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@izsincere8445
You see I picks my friends like I pick my fruit
And Ganny taught me that when I was only a youth
I don't walk around tryna be what I'm not
I don't waste my time try a get what you got
I'm working pleasing 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 doo weeeeee
@pickledskater4039
Wow these different versions of her old classic songs are just amazing. She is always re inventing herself. She is truly the best R&B female artists
@Evolution-ld2he
Erykah Badu is fucking out of this world. Idk how to describe how I feel listening to her but the music speaks for itself.
@dollyj51
She keeps it 100% real.One of my favorite artist.
@Lifel4444
Erykah is bae.
And definitely one of the best performers of all time
@ChikValen5
To find this during the quarantine is the best thing that has ever happened to me.
@Smoothways
F*** Me, she really re-invented herself. She presents her songs in a complete new style. Mightily impressive!
@foryou6yn
😉
@AliceYobby
from what i can tell from youtube, for every performance she uniquely reworks her body of work...incredible she really truly loves music
@pillarheights1130
not re0invent but she evolves. As her tattoo will say. This is all her journey
@cannonequestrian4727
Erykah is ever-evolving my friend