Feed The Tree

Album: Star (1993)
Charted: 32 95
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Songfacts®:

  • Band leader Tanya Donnely, who had played with her stepsister Kristin Hersh in Throwing Muses (the short-lived Rhode Island invasion of the '90s) and in The Breeders, was quoted in The Illinois Entertainer as saying this song was about commitment and respect. The metaphor is the tree that would be planted on large farms as a point of reference to getting around (the only tree sometimes). Because nothing would grow under the large tree, the family would be buried under it. Hence: "Take your hat off, boy when you're talking to me and be there when I feed the tree." >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Wolf - valparaiso, IN

Comments: 5

  • Parapacem from UsaThat does not explain the disturbing and malevolent line about "Silver baby, come to me
    I'll only hurt you in my dreams"- that sounds murderous and perverted , nothing about respect or commitment.
  • Zippxang from AlexandriaI’ll forever associate this song with some placenta foolishness, but it’s super clever and this song is a banger.
  • Stukka63 from St.augustine, Fla.So take your hat off boy when your talkin to me.
  • Rod from Gainesville, FlFor some reason i thought the phrase "feed the tree" had something to do with what some earth-mother types do with their menstrual blood. Creepy-I know!
  • Bryan from Spring, TxHaven't heard this one since junior high.
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