Juicy Music: 3 Classic Rock Songs that Highlight Sumptuous Fruit

You might not expect that some of the music world’s greatest classic rock songs have to do with fruit, but that’s just weirdly and simply the case. When you think about it, though, fruit does make for interesting subject matter. There is a sensuality to food, in general, and perhaps fruit especially. It’s sweet, sticky, and sumptuous.

Here below, we wanted to explore three classic rock tracks that highlight three delicious fruits. Songs that when you hear them, you can almost taste the sweet nectar of the food, can almost see the juices dripping down your jaw and fingertips. Indeed, these are three classic rock songs about fruit. Time to sink your teeth into them!

[RELATED: No Skips: 4 Classic Rock Albums You’ll Never Have to Fast-Forward]

“Strawberry Fields Forever” by The Beatles (1967)

There might not be a more vibrant and pleasant phrase than “strawberry fields.” Upon hearing it you at once feel as if you’re dreaming, surrounded by colorful luxury. The standalone single written by John Lennon showcases his psychedelic tendencies and evokes the image of an endless array of pinks and reds and luscious fruit. As for the song itself, it has quite the story. Inspired by a garden where Lennon used to play as a child, the track was the product of dozens of hours by The Beatles in the studio, splicing up recordings that were melded together and eventually released as a single—after Revolver and before Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band—under pressure from their record company. But since then, it’s become one of the group’s signature tracks and on it Lennon sings,

Let me take you down
‘Cause I’m going to strawberry fields
Nothing is real
And nothing to get hung about
Strawberry fields forever

Living is easy with eyes closed
Misunderstanding all you see
It’s getting hard to be someone, but it all works out
It doesn’t matter much to me

“Tangerine” by Led Zeppelin from Led Zeppelin III (1970)

For some reason, perhaps it has to do with the sonic quality of the word, the moniker “tangerine” is often used as a pet name for romantic objects of affection in movies and music. And here in this track, that is the case. A love song, “Tangerine” appeared on the British-born rockers’ third self-titled LP, which was released in 1970. And singer Robert Plant uses the juicy fruit name to address the subject of the song. With lyrics attributed to Jimmy Page, Plant sings of love slipping away and a dream woman that he can almost reach out and touch. He offers,

Measuring a summer’s day
I only find it slips away to grey
The hours they bring me pain

Tangerine, Tangerine
Living reflections from a dream
I was her love, she was my queen
And now a thousand years in-between

“Peaches” by The Presidents of the United States of America from The Presidents of the United States of America (1996)

Lead singer Chris Ballew said he overheard a transient person on the street muttering to himself about wanting to move to the country and eat peaches. Well, soon after, he quickly turned that idea into a song and the result was a radio hit in 1996 that earned The Presidents of the United States of America fame and fortune. This track is all about the many uses for peaches and offers even a little sexual innuendo. And on the tune, Ballew sings,

Movin’ to the country,
Gonna eat me a lot of peaches
Movin’ to the country,
I’m gonna eat me a lot of peaches

I took a little nap where the roots all twist
Squished a rotten peach in my fist
And dreamed about you, woman,
I poked my finger down inside
Make a little room for an ant to hide
Nature’s candy in my hand or can or pie

Millions of peaches, peaches for me
Millions of peaches, peaches for free
Millions of peaches, peaches for me
Millions of peaches, peaches for free

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