“Fallen Fruit” is a song by the New Zealand singer-songwriter Lorde. It was released as the fourth single from her third album, “Solar Power,” on November 2, 2021, when the album’s bonus tracks became available on streaming platforms.
This song addresses the climate crisis and criticizes the previous generation for the damage caused to our once-beautiful Earth. The fallen fruit represents the damage and loss of natural resources caused by human actions.
In this article, we’ll delve into the meaning behind the lyrics of “Fallen Fruit.”
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“Fallen Fruit” Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1]
To the ones who came before us
All the golden ones who were lifted on a wing
We had no idea the dreams we had were far too big
Far too big
In Verse 1 of Lorde’s “Fallen Fruit,” there is a reflection on environmental issues. It criticizes the older generation for prioritizing economic prosperity without showing concern for the environment.
When Lorde sings, “To the ones who came before us/All the golden ones who were lifted on a wing,” she’s addressing the baby boomers who have enjoyed rapid economic development and risen above poverty.
In the following line “We had no idea the dreams we had were far too big,” the singer is actually implying that the older generation only had grand dreams about becoming wealthy by exploiting the Earth’s resources.
[Verse 2]
And we will walk together (We will walk)
Psychedelic garlands in our hair
Through the halls of splendor where the apple trees all grew
You’ll leave us dancing on the fallen fruit
In Verse, the singer paints a picture reminiscent of the Garden of Eden. It portrays a scene with apple trees and people living joyfully together, adorning themselves with “psychedelic garlands”. This imagery alludes to a paradise-like setting.
The mention of “fallen fruit” in this context symbolizes a degradation or decline in this idyllic Eden-like environment. In the lyrics “You’ll leave us dancing on the fallen fruit,” the use of “You” appears to refer to the older generation, suggesting that their irresponsible exploitation of natural resources on Earth has led to the deterioration of this “Eden.”
[Chorus]
The fallen fruit
The fallen fruit (Ooh)
The fallen fruit
In this chorus, “The fallen fruit” represents a symbolic reference to the consequences of human actions on the environment.
The repetition of this phrase reinforces the idea that the legacy of these actions, or the environmental degradation caused by previous generations, is something significant and ever-present.
[Bridge]
From the Nissan to the Phantom to the plane
We’ll disappear in the cover of the rain
Took the great minds and the vapers
And a pocketful of seed
It’s time for us to leave
The bridge takes on a more dramatic and possibly dystopian tone. The singer starts with the lines “From the Nissan to the Phantom to the plane/We’ll disappear in the cover of the rain.” In these lines, the singer is saying that despite our improved material life, moving from a regular Nissan to a luxury car like a Phantom, and finally to an airplane, we’re still destined to suffer from acid rain caused by global warming.
In the next lines, “Took the great minds and the vapers/And a pocketful of seed/It’s time for us to leave,” the singer suggests that we might need to relocate intelligent people to a safer place and escape from the catastrophe caused by environmental issues to continue our human civilization. Here, “a pocketful of seeds” can symbolize potential or new beginnings.
[Verse 3]
And we will walk together (We will walk)
Psychedelic garlands in our hair
But how can I love what I know I am gonna lose?
Don’t make me choose
In verse 3, the singer expresses her desire for an idyllic Eden-like environment once more. However, she can’t love this paradise-like place, even if it still exists because she knows it will be ruined by us.
When she says, ‘Don’t make me choose,’ she’s expressing her dilemma between preserving the convenient and enjoyable aspects of modern life and prioritizing environmental protection.
“Fallen Fruit” Music Video
A music video for “Fallen Fruit” came out on November 2, 2021, in the same place as the “Solar Power” video. It was directed by Joel Kefali and Lorde. Lorde talked about the connection between the two videos, saying that in “Solar Power,” the island was a paradise, but in “Fallen Fruit,” you see it getting ruined by human actions.
According to Carolyn Droke from Uproxx, the video “explores the repercussions of humans’ obsession with consumption.” Unlike the “Solar Power” video, which was in the daytime, “Fallen Fruit” keeps switching between day and night, symbolizing destruction and chaos. It reminds us how fragile life on Earth is.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Fallen Fruit”
“Lorde’s song ‘Fallen Fruit’ explores environmental issues and encourages us to take care of the Earth. The song’s title, ‘Fallen Fruit,’ alludes to the Garden of Eden, and highlights the idea that our biggest mistake could be leaving the Earth uninhabitable for future generations.
Throughout the song, Lorde criticizes the older generations for neglecting their impact on natural resources. She points out that they often prioritize chasing big dreams, ignoring the potential irreparable consequences of their actions.
In the song, there’s a beautiful scene reminiscent of the Garden of Eden, yet it also mentions ‘fallen fruit,’ symbolizing the harm caused by human actions to the once-beautiful environment.
Lorde repeatedly sings ‘The fallen fruit,’ serving as a reminder that our actions can harm the environment, much like when fruit falls and rots.
However, she’s aware of the struggle between enjoying modern life and protecting the environment. She sings, ‘Don’t make me choose,’ as if highlighting the difficulty of balancing both.
Ultimately, the song encourages us to be mindful of the environment and to collaborate in preserving the beauty and harmony of our world.
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He’s also an amateur guitarist, which means he knows music and melody very well. With this background, he’s a great lyricist you can rely on to learn writing lyrics.