10 Songs Relating to Fruits

Who doesn't like fruits? Whenever I hear a song with a fruit or fruits in the title or lyrics I start to crave that fruit. If you love eating fruit and enjoy listening to music here are 10 great songs that are timeless. One thing these songs have in common, besides fruit of course is they are upbeat, whimsical and fun. Now grab your favorite piece of fruit and kick back while listening to this fruit-filled countdown.

10.) Cherry, Cherry - Neil Diamond

Neil Diamond came up with the guitar lick while the famous Brill Building songwriting team of Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich helped him with the rest. These songwriters were responsible for hits such as "Be My Baby" and "Chapel of Love" from the early '60s. This was Neil Diamond's earliest single from 1966 peaking in the Top Ten at #6. The song references a cherry, but it isn't literally about the fruit.

9.) Coconut - Harry Nilsson

Now here is a song that is literally about not just one, but two combined fruits. The ongoing chorus refers to it as: "Put the lime in the coconut, she drank 'em both up." Some years ago Coca-Cola had a new flavor that added lime in their cola. There was a TV commercial that used the music to this song. Instead of saying "Coconut" it said "Coca-Cola." It was a very clever ad. Too bad the new flavor didn't last.

When I first heard this song I thought it was the weirdest thing ever recorded. The vocalist, Harry Nilsson, acts out three characters that tells a story. Apparently it's about a sister who calls the doctor and tells her to add lime and coconut together. This song was released in 1972 where it peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

8.) Lemon Tree - Peter, Paul & Mary

There are a number of hit versions from the 1960s of this Brazilian folk song, though I prefer the version from Peter, Paul & Mary. I remember as a kid there was a TV commercial for Pledge furniture polish with lemon scent in it. They always played this song. This is a song they're definitely talking about the lemon fruit.

7.) Raspberry Beret - Prince

From 1985 this single release from his "Around the World in a Day" album peaked at #2 on the pop chart. Instead of it referring to raspberry as a fruit it's about the girl's beret, which is raspberry in color, somewhat of a mix between red and dark pink.

6.) Little Green Apples - O.C. Smith

Whenever I hear this song on an oldies station it brings back memories of the time I lived in Japan as a child. They always played "Little Green Apples" on the radio. The singer, O.C. Smith, even came to perform at our military base. The song does talk about the harvesting of green apples. It's a sweet love song lyrically. Released in 1968 it peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100.

5.) Apples Peaches Pumpkin Pie - Jay & The Techniques

You can't help but get up and start to move when you hear its infectious instrumental opening with "Ready or Not...Here I come." This was and still is one of my favorite songs growing up. I think one of the reasons is the mention of such delicious fruits and a pie. Who can resist such delectable lyrics? This was a debut single for the group in 1967 that reached number six on the Billboard chart.

4.) Blueberry Hill - Fats Domino

Here's another song with a great instrumental introduction, especially the piano. It is certainly an oldie but goodie from 1956. The song "Blueberry Hill" is one of the standards of early rock n' roll. It was also Fats Domino's biggest hit reaching at #2. Rolling Stone magazine ranked it on their 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Obviously the song must be about blueberries on a hill. That's how I envision it every time I hear it.

3.) I Heard it Through the Grapevine - Marvin Gaye

There have been a lot of outstanding cover versions of this Motown classic, but the song definitely belongs to the one and only Marvin Gaye. It has been defined as Gaye's signature song. The title and lyrics do not literally mean a vineyard or grapes on a vine. The word 'grapevine" means a rumor mill or gossip.

It talks about the girl he loves is possibly seeing someone else based on rumors, gossip or what is being said on the grapevine. Marvin Gaye's version has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Billboard magazine for their 50^th anniversary ranked the song on their Hot 100 chart of the last fifty years. Rolling Stone magazine listed it on their 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

2.) Tutti Frutti - Little Richard

Without a doubt the epitome of early rock n'roll music from 1955 filled with a great hook, high energy all the way through it and outrageous lyrics. It opens with that famous line "A-wop-bop-a-loo-bop-a-lop-bop-bop!" When I think of this song I automatically think of it as a gum flavor. Even though it does not specifically mention a fruit it does use the word "fruit" in it. Mojo Magazine ranked "Tutti Frutti" at #1 for the record that changed the world.

1.) Strawberry Fields Forever - The Beatles

Whenever I hear this song, even recently during the many specials on television and radio about the 30^th anniversary of John Lennon's death, I think of fields of strawberries. My favorite fruit of all time has to be strawberries. This breakthrough psychedelic song by The Beatles with its mellow ambience was based on Lennon's childhood memory. He played in the gardens of the Salvation Army House that was named "Strawberry Field." Obviously the song isn't about a fruit, just the name of one. "Strawberry Fields Forever" was a top ten hit reaching only at #8, yet it remains one of their signature songs from the "Magical Mystery Tour" album and the psychedelia era.

If these fruitful songs appeal to you just go to Amazon.com or iTunes to download them. You can purchase CDs at Amazon. These particular songs and their fruits are a match made in culinary heaven.

SOURCES:

Songs with Food in the Title, Songfacts

Song Meanings at Songfacts, Songfacts

The Free Encyclopedia, Wikipedia

Broadcast Yourself, YouTube