Artist: Blake
Title: Apple
Genre(s): Pop, Trip Hop
Length: 3:28
Writers: B.Williams
Producer: Benny Blanco
Label: BW Music (Independent)
From The Album: Rewrite
Apple is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Blake for his debut solo album, Rewrite. It serves as his second official single. Apple was solely written by Blake Williams himself in early 2017. Award-winning record producer and Songwriter Hall of Fame member Benny Blanco produced the music for the song after a lunch meeting with Williams in which he brought up the initial rough demo of Apple. The track was originally titled The Apple Tree and was registered on ASCAP in December 2017. "Apple" is set in a minor-key and features "chilly synths" with a "slick, anchoring beat". The song infuses minimalist pop trends with electronic and "trippy" urban influences. Blake's delivery has been described as "light" and "sexy", juxtaposing the intense lyricism. As Rewrite is a concept album telling a story throughout, Apple is the fourth instalment in the journey. The song documents Blake's decision to leave the relationship.
"I know that "Apple" is going to have a lot of people up in arms because of how specific it is. Fans and the public who were familiar with my relationship and situation already know what the album is about but a lot of the songs are vague enough to allow others to put their own imprint onto the lyrics. This one is one of the most personal and specific. This was the breaking point. I was a mess and my partner was growing worse with each passing moment. It got to the point where I hated him. I had to walk away before I fell into the whole Stockholm syndrome thing. I spent many nights feeling guilty - feeling like it was my DUTY to stay because he could self destruct but I had to snap out of that otherwise we both would've went down. He was...pretty unbearable at this point. The whole idea of "apple" is me telling him that he's become the very thing he didn't want to be; his father. The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. He might not have been a carbon copy of his dad but the end result was the same; manipulative, selfish, guilt-tripping, bit of a God complex. He was doing to me what his father used to do to him. Like he did all these years ago, I also walked away from that toxic shit."
"The production and vocal delivery is very low-key, quite like the album overall and the first single, Who Do You Love Now? The situation is rather intense and specific, I wanted the listener to focus more on the lyrical content than be sidetracked by big beats. I didn't want an acoustic guitar track or a piano ballad either as they can tend to sound rather cheesy if not handle right. I wanted this track to have enough bite to remain quirky and interesting but not overpowering. I met with Benny, who I have known for a couple of years and brought up the track at a lunch meeting. I sent him the demo that night and two days later I got back the mix that is on the album today. He wanted to work on it and add in more to embellish but I think the minimalist vibe does the song justice. The beat is so chilled, relaxing and interesting on its own while the lyrics also have a life of their own, painting a totally different mental image than the vibey beat does. Putting the two together created this amazing hybrid which I think is pretty unique and just a cool song in general. It's one of my favorites on the album."
Hit the point of no return, there's no going back
Tired of drinking the waters that are turning dark
I'd hold you close and you'd just twist the knife in
I put in my all and it was zero fucks you were giving
Another put down, another cold shoulder, can't go on with that
I'm pulling this lifeline, you can go back to black
There was a time I'd do anything to keep you sweet
And when I knew things were wrong, I'd want you to lie to me
Both needed love and you wanted someone to nurse your heart
Far too complicated, I never should have played that part
You don't believe in the story of Adam and Eve
But this fall from grace goes way beyond belief
Looking in the mirror, you can't stand what you see
All your hate and frustrations, you take it out on me
Guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree
Guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree
Spent years running from what you never wanted to be
Now you're another poison apple in your tainted treeTold me how you wanted to tear up the old family values
Fuck all of the rules because they don't belong to you
Play the game and manipulate just so long as you're happy
Don't care about the casualties, acting just like daddy
He also liked to bury his head and hide from the truth
Funny how you hate when people say he looks just like you
I wasn't being difficult, I really tried to keep this sweet
I grew tired of the pain and how you'd always lie to me
Both needed work but you let the ice take over your heart
I'm leaving here tomorrow, I never signed up for this part
You don't believe in the story of Adam and Eve
But this fall from grace goes way beyond belief
Looking in the mirror, you can't stand what you see
All your hate and frustrations, you take it out on me
Guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree
Guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree
Spent years running from what you never wanted to be
Now you're another poison apple in your tainted treeSeemed ripe for the picking but was full of bad seeds
Should've let it drop and get lost among the weeds
Lucky I took you home, the birds of prey have to eat
You don't believe in the story of Adam and Eve
But this fall from grace goes way beyond belief
Looking in the mirror, you can't stand what you see
All your hate and frustrations, you take it out on me
Guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree
Guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree
Spent years running from what you never wanted to be
Now you're another poison apple in your tainted treeSeemed ripe for the picking but was full of bad seeds
Should've let it drop and get lost among the weeds
Lucky I took you home, the birds of prey have to eat
Seemed ripe for the picking but was full of bad seeds
Should've let it drop and get lost among the weeds
Lucky I took you home, the birds of prey have to eat
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