Apple Tree

Apple Tree
Song
Artist	AURORA
Album	A Different Kind of Human - Step 2 For the Metal People
Released	June 7, 2019 March 13, 2020 (Amazon Original)
Genre	Alternative Electropop Art pop
Length	3:08 3:15 (Amazon Original)
Label	Decca Records Glassnote Petroleum Records
Writer(s)	Aurora Aksnes Odd Martin Skålnes Magnus Skylstad
Producer(s)	AURORA Odd Martin Skålnes Magnus Skylstad

Singles Chronology
Previous	"A Different Kind of Human"
Next	"Daydreamer"

A Different Kind of Human – Step 2 Chronology
Previous	"A Different Kind of Human"
Next	"The Seed"

For the Metal People (EP) Chronology
Previous	"Murder Song (5, 4, 3, 2, 1)"

"Apple Tree" is the ninth track on the album A Different Kind of Human - Step 2. It was written and produced by AURORA, Magnus Skylstad, and Odd Martin Skålnes.

On August 14, 2019, a remixed version by Georgia was released as a promotional single, which includes the song's original album version and the track "The River".

An acoustic version ("Amazon Original") was recorded for Amazon in San Francisco and released on March 13, 2020.

Background

During a Step 2 listening party and Q&A on June 13, 2019, Aurora gave some insight in the production of the song. She confirmed that the beat of the track was influenced by Brazilian band Olodum, with which she came in contact when she first went to Salvador, Bahia in 2017. There are also hip-hop influences because she "felt it deserved a very alive and bad-ass groove".

About the song

"Apple Tree" finds Aurora being hopeful that we can all save the world together. The track's sound stands out in her discography as one of her most different songs, with her vocal delivery during the verses displaying a flow comparable to rap music.

Upon release of the music video, Aurora posted a lengthy note on her social media. A similar note is in the music video's description:

"'Apple Tree' is about the potential that hides in all of us. We can all save the world if we put our minds to it. The world won't listen to scientific proof that the world is dying, so maybe it will listen to the dreamers, the children. In a bleeding world, the power of the individual is our only hope. Let her save the world. Let him save them all. Believe in us, and maybe we'll be the generation that saves the world, rather than the one that killed it."

Lyrics

• Transcribed
• Official

All of my life,
I've been hunting.
I've been a girl,
I've been a boy,
Digging my feet into the ground,
Like an apple tree
Wanting to live with a purpose.
Skin is a word,
Love is not a sin
People are bad
People are good
Just like the moon is a stone,
But it's a star when it's dark
And now she's hiding

If you've seen what a heart is,
You've seen its colour
If I ever knew how we could guide it
I would take care of its children,
Become their mother
If I ever knew how we could hide it,
Hide it

Let her save the world,
She is just a girl
Let him save them all,
He is just a boy
Let her save the world,
She is just a girl
Let him save them all,
He is just a boy

Hunger is quiet, if you do it right
Hunter is loud and predictable
Scaring away every prey
So they are gone
Before the hunter arrives
Would you be kind
And put away your sword
You cannot cut away
What we got
You cannot kill what we are
We are not here
In physical form

You've seen where the knife is,
Its dark location*
If I ever knew how we could hide it
I would cut into our anger, make pure emotion
If I ever knew how we could hide it... hide it

Let her save the world,
She is just a girl
Let him save them all,
He is just a boy
Let her save the world,*
She is just a girl
Let him save them all,
He is just a boy

Can you carry the weight of mortality
The explosions around you is your symphony

Let her save the world,
She is just a girl
Let him save them all,*
He is just a boy
Let her save the world,*
She is just a girl
Let him save them all,*
He is just a boy

All of my life,
I've been hunting.
I've been a girl,
I've been a boy,
Digging my feet into the ground,
Like an apple tree
Wanting to live with a purpose.
Skin is a word,
Love is not a sin
People are bad
People are good
Just like the moon is a stone,
But it's a star when it's dark
And now she's hiding

If you've seen what a heart is,
You've seen its colour
If I ever knew how we could guide it
I would take care of its children,
Become their mother
If I ever knew how we could hide it,
Hide it

Let her save the world,
She is just a girl
Let him save them all,
He is just a boy
Let her save the world,
She is just a girl
Let him save them all,
He is just a boy

Hunger is quiet, if you do it right
Hunter is loud and predictable
Scaring away every prey
So they are gone
Before the hunter arrives
Would you be kind
And put away your sword
You cannot cut away
What we got
You cannot kill what we are
We are not here
In physical form

You've seen where the knife is,
It's dark location
If I ever knew how we could hide it
I would cut into our anger, make pure emotion
If I ever knew how we could hide it... hide it

Let her save the world,
She is just a girl
Let him save them all,
He is just a boy
Save the world,
She is just a girl
Let him save them all,
He is just a boy

Can you carry the weight of mortality
The explosions around you is your symphony

Let her save the world,
She is just a girl
Let him save the poor,
He is just a boy
Save the world,
She is just a girl
Let him save the poor,
He is just a boy

Official lyrics copied from YouTube, transcribed lyrics made by listening. Differences are marked with *

Music video

The song's music video was released on September 26, 2019. It was directed by Rianne White and produced by Ben Pengilly.

Behind the scenes

Fan repost

Trivia

• Press photos were shot by Tamsin Topolski on the set of the music video, see the photoshoot here.
• A snippet of the song's demo leaked on June 28, 2021.