Belly - Feed The Tree

Artist: Belly

Song: Feed The Tree

Album: Star (1993)

After playing supporting roles in Throwing Muses and the Breeders, Tanya Donelly proves she's got the vision/songs/smarts to pilot her own vehicle. "Angel," "Dusted," and "Feed the Tree" are short, sharp, edgy pop. --Jeff Bateman

"Feed the Tree", of course, is the single that launched Belly to their short-lived pseudo-fame and unfortunately tagged the group with the unshakable 'one-hit-wonder' label. The song, actually, is quite good. As catchy and sweet as the melody is, the lyrics are pretty deep: "Silver Baby come to me, I'll only hurt you in my dreams." Donelly's vocal capabilities are widely celebrated on this song.

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." (thanks, Wolf - valparaiso, IN)

This old man I've talked about
Broke his own heart,
Poured it in the ground.
Big red tree grew up and out,
Throws up its leaves,
Spins round and round.
I know all this and more.
So take your hat off
When you're talking to me
And be there when I feed the tree.
This little squirrel I used to be
Slammed her bike down the stairs.
They put silver where her teeth had been.
Baby silvertooth,she grins and grins.
I know all this and more.
So take your hat off boy
When you're talking to me
And be there when I feed the tree.
Take your hat off boy
When you're talking to me
And be there when I feed the tree.
This old man I used to be
Spins around, around, around the tree.
Silver baby come to me.
I'll only hurt you in my dreams.
I know all this and...
I know all this and...
I know all this and more.
So take your hat off boy
When you're talking to me
And be there when I feed the tree.
Take your hat off
When you're talking to me
And be there when I feed the tree.