”Fruit Tree” by Nick Drake

Few songs capture the artist’s life as perfectly as Nick Drake’s “Fruit Tree.” Drake’s own life was filled with anguish as he struggled with depression and addiction, eventually consuming him entirely at just 26 years old.

Despite his tormented history, “Fruit Tree” is unlike any other song in the genre. While it’s true that the lyrics have a clear cynical edge, the song actually captures the beauty of a life dedicated to art.

When Drake sings, “Safe in a womb of an everlasting night, you find the darkness can give the brightest light,” he encapsulates what it means to dedicate yourself to something fully, even at the price of recognition. He also embraces the troubled thoughts that many have as they wander through life, painting them as beautiful in their own right. This is a song for those who are struggling with their purpose in life, or who have lost someone vibrant and artistic.

“Fruit Tree” is about the wish to be adored while you are alive, but ultimately finding greater meaning after death. In one sense, it’s the cliche of a young artist burning out before he fades away, but the song goes beyond that simplistic meaning. It describes the bittersweet feeling of being recognized only after you have died. In this sense, it parallels Drake’s own life, being that he was never recognized for his work until long after he had died. The song feels like a glimpse into his own future.

Drake sings,

“Safe in your place deep in the earth
That’s when they’ll know
What you are really worth”

Like many Nick Drake songs, this one creates an atmosphere that leaves listeners completely captivated. The lyrics have a heavy feel to them, yet the music is light and hopeful. It’s this bittersweet mix that makes Nick Drake songs ideal for remembering someone you love. The darkness really can give the brightest light.

Read the lyrics for Nick Drake’s “Fruit Tree” here, and take a listen to the song below.