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Belly — Feed The Tree
Album: Star
Avg rating:
7.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1801









Released: 1993
Length: 3:25
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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
And spins round and round

I know all this and more
So take your hat off
When you're talkin' 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 silver tooth, she grins and wins

I know all this and more
So take your hat off
When you're talkin' 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 more
So take your hat off boy
When you're talkin' to me
And be there when
I feed the tree
Comments (152)add comment
 WonderLizard wrote:

Hard to fathom that this is almost 25 years old. Love it.



Now 30 years ago--and still love this song!!!!
 brosen wrote:

I've always liked this song.  Whether you call it pop or alternative, it's a fun, energetic tune with interesting lyrics.    







And a civil message that I wish more people would do: take your hat off, when you're talking to me. 

Hats are for outdoors, COSTO, rodeos, and sale barns.  Not in a house or in a talking space.   
 
I've always liked this song.  Whether you call it pop or alternative, it's a fun, energetic tune with interesting lyrics.    





Takes me back to late 1993, warm dusty late summer days, driving to work and hearing this on the radio.
 ScottishWillie wrote:

Why do people think Pop songs aren't valid for Radio Paradise? This song is double excellent, one excellent for being a good tune and one excellent for being good fun!




It's "Belly" you dick
Meh. 
 swelements wrote:

My thoughts exactly



try to banish the concept of song genres from your mind and enjoy a good tune...you will find a lot more pleasure in life
I've always loved this song. It just makes me feel SO HAPPY!
I'll say this: I wish more people who wear hats on tv, should take them off

i thought this was lone justice

go figure

Good Tune!
Love(d) the video for the song. 
I get my "Belly" confused with my "Hole". 

Go ahead and laugh. I bet it happens to alot of you.  
It was probably a bit hard to cope with Kristin Hersh, but all they both did alone and together is very good
I loved the 90's! 
Tanya Donelly leaves "The Breeders" to form "Belly"?  Gotta be an interesting story.
 LeGiff wrote:


Is this even really pop? I mean, when it was released we would have called it alternative pop or even college radio rock. 

I saw Throwing Muses open for REM in 1989 outside of Detroit (Pine Knob) and it made me a fan of the other stuff that TD was a part of overnight!
 Agree, this was certainly classified as alternative at the time it was released.  And this is a great  album by the way.  I still have the cassette somewhere.

I really miss this sweet-sad sound of the alternative 90's. Thanks Bill for the play.
Great POP tune. Thanks Bill.
Love the enigmatic but self-empowering lyrics.  God knows what they mean.  Also a weird song that seems somehow to hover on the edge of a major and minor key.
Used to love dancing to this song with the kids when they were little!!!!!
Tapping my toes, haven't heard this in ages!
 ScottishWillie wrote:

Why do people think Pop songs aren't valid for Radio Paradise? This song is double excellent, one excellent for being a good tune and one excellent just for being good fun!


 

Is this even really pop? I mean, when it was released we would have called it alternative pop or even college radio rock. 

I saw Throwing Muses open for REM in 1989 outside of Detroit (Pine Knob) and it made me a fan of the other stuff that TD was a part of overnight!
{#Dancingbanana_2} Ahhh brings back memories. 
{#Bananajam}


{#Crown}
I always had a soft spot for this song. Thanks for bringing back some good memories.
                              
 sameritech wrote:

Clearly you need to listen to more music. This wasn't even their biggest hit.

 
Except, it kinda was. At least according to the charts. I don't recall hearing any of their songs on the radio other than this and Gepetto. Maybe you're thinking of one of Tanya Donelly's other projects?
Hard to fathom that this is almost 25 years old. Love it.
 bentonian wrote:
I know it's not great, it's not meaningful or innovative, but I've always loved this song. A solid eight!
 
Well, "meaningful" is not really a requirement in music.  As to it not being "innovative" - ask the scores of female rockers who came after this how innovative Tanya Donelly was in general, and this song and album in particular were.
Did Belly have any other hits?  I can't recall any.
Tanya rocks!
 vit wrote:
Wow a new pop low. I'm surprised that it's here, and more so that it gets a 7.5.
 

Why do people think Pop songs aren't valid for Radio Paradise? This song is double excellent, one excellent for being a good tune and one excellent for being good fun!


Gets the blood pumping when cranking through spreadsheets at 4am.  Thanks, RP!  
{#Yes} 
 bentonian wrote:
I know it's not great, it's not meaningful or innovative, but I've always loved this song. A solid eight!

 
This song just does it for me. Probably more for personal reasons than technical excellence. Still excellent in my book. 
love this song!!!!   

{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Bananasplit}{#Dancingbanana} 

Brings me back to my college days.  Was on pretty heavy rotation on MTV then.  Nice memories, even if I was a nerd. {#Nyah}
priceless
 
 take yer hat off boy..{#Cheesygrin}
This song brings back so many memories! <3
Most excellent tune. Haven't heard in a long time. I love the structure of the song. Not your typical ababc etc
Love to hear this here - occasionally.
Haven't heard this in awhile.  Thanks for dusting it off and giving it a spin.

Everybody in my churches be dancing...  love it...
 
I know it's not great, it's not meaningful or innovative, but I've always loved this song. A solid eight!
Smack them thar skins!!!!!
Picking up a little Sisters of Mercy in one of those guitar riffs.

Song and band should be a no-go for RP!

Close to be ridiculous!


This song lights the fire in my Belly. {#Heartkiss}
 gandalfbmg wrote:

When you're dead and burried (and thus feeding the tree's roots)?
 
gotcha. thanks.
Saw Belly back in the day a couple times. Graceland in Vancouver once, other time I don't recall, maybe at the Commodore. Was one of my favorites but dreadful live shows unfortunately.  Still love them though :)
 lily34 wrote:
i have always loved this song. especially those lyrics:
"i know all this and more
so take your hat off boy when you're talkin to me."

but, what does it mean to "feed the tree"?
 
When you're dead and burried (and thus feeding the tree's roots)?
i have always loved this song. especially those lyrics:
"i know all this and more
so take your hat off boy when you're talkin to me."

but, what does it mean to "feed the tree"?
wow was this ever great for about 10 minutes
FUN!!{#Dancingbanana}
Wow.  Lot of bellyaching here about a good song.  Ratings don't lie, amigos.
The worst kind of pop song; the track should join Belly in the trash bin of forgettable bands.
 ezzyme wrote:
Pop? I don't think this was ever even on the top 100.

 
swelements wrote:

My thoughts exactly
 
 
"Feed the Tree" is a song by Belly, released as the band's first single from their debut album, Star, in 1993. It is also the band's biggest hit, reaching #1 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart.
From Wikipedia

Got a good deal of airplay around here in the DC area both on WHFS and DC101
Qualifies as great pop song in my book

Love it, especially the fat guitar.
 vit wrote:
Wow a new pop low. I'm surprised that it's here, and more so that it gets a 7.5.
  
 swelements wrote:

My thoughts exactly
  

Me three. 

Pop? I don't think this was ever even on the top 100.

 
swelements wrote:

My thoughts exactly
 


 vit wrote:
Wow a new pop low. I'm surprised that it's here, and more so that it gets a 7.5.
 
My thoughts exactly

I hadn't heard this song in such a long time! I love it!
Drivin' tune for sure ... {#Motor}   ah, the nostalgia ...

Two great nostalgic pieces in a row. Hooray! Let's got for three!
YAY! BELLY!!! {#Dancingbanana}
Dark and upbeat - I love it!!!
Ahh, an oldie but a goodie...
as chickrock goes, this is as good as it gets
Keep it up RP!!!  Nice work.
this is a clear 0. {#Whistle}
I saw Belly open for Radiohead (last song played) in 1992 or 93 at the Trocadero Ballroom in Philadelphia.  Tanya & Thom did an acoustic rendition of "Thinking about You" which was truly beautiful and raw.  Ahhh, the college rock scene in the Northeast back then was surely good to be around.  Good times... 
Hey!  I remember this band.  Nice song!
Love this song — haven't heard it in years. Thanks for playing it!
 adib wrote:
One of my all-time favourite albums. I've had it for years, but keep coming back to it and each time it gets better.
The best band most people haven't heard of (present company excepted, of course ;-) ).
 
+1

Pure greatness. It would have been nice if they'd released more than 2 albums.

Wow a new pop low. I'm surprised that it's here, and more so that it gets a 7.5.
One of my all-time favourite albums. I've had it for years, but keep coming back to it and each time it gets better. The best band most people haven't heard of (present company excepted, of course ;-) ).
mandolin wrote:
...i always heard the title line as taken from larry niven's the integral trees...
Several years ago I heard an interview on the local radio station (WXRT Chicago) with the band and the DJ thought the same thing so he asked. Turned out they had not ever read or heard of the book. Too bad as I always think of the book when I hear this song.
I mail ordered this CD when it came out, and by the time I got it and listened , I couldn't figure out why.
I am really into Tanya Donelly, Kristin Hersh, and the whole Boston scene lately. This is the song that drew me to Belly but I found I like the rest of the album even better.
xc_para_puravida wrote:
Where is Tanya Donnelly these days?
i read in an article earlier this year that she lives in arlington, massachusetts and is still making music on her own. she and kristin hersh actually did a show together last week in cambridge.
The passage of time has done nothing to diminish this song - don't know if it's a ten yet, but it's sure heading there.
Where is Tanya Donnelly these days?
did i mention that tanya donnelly lives in the next town over from me?
Reminds me of studying in the 90's. Sleeping around and smokin dope. I now wear a suit 5 days a week. What went wrong!!!! Long live this track. Lovely xxx
...i always heard the title line as taken from larry niven's the integral trees...
REM-ish guitar. Love this song, 10
This is a good song I have not heard in a long while. Makes me glad I listen to Radio Paradise during the day while I work.
curtkare wrote:
Sounds different 'cuz it's a crystalline digital copy ,coming across your slick computer speakers instead of the original cassette on your crappy college stereo. I always liked this song, but I didn't remember such a fat sound. Tanya Donnelly once told an interviewer she gets a lot of her song images from dreams - "I guess that's cheating.."
"I'll only hurt you in my dreams"
clintiskeen wrote:
She's talking about the people she was in past lives. Feed the tree=dirt nap This song sounds different than I remember Did Belly have a more popular live version or something?
Sounds different 'cuz it's a crystalline digital copy ,coming across your slick computer speakers instead of the original cassette on your crappy college stereo. I always liked this song, but I didn't remember such a fat sound. Tanya Donnelly once told an interviewer she gets a lot of her song images from dreams - "I guess that's cheating.."
clintiskeen wrote:
She's talking about the people she was in past lives. Feed the tree=dirt nap
Close, but no cigar. You right about "feed the tree" meaning death. But she's talking about her impending death, not past lives, and that the the "boy" (son?) should show his respect when she passes on.
Forgetful
Good afternoon fare!
Wow, this brings back memories. What a wonderful work of imagination. I really have no idea what the song is about either, but the feeling it evokes is that of a story both childlike and disturbing, like a Grimm fairy tale.
tjheff wrote:
This is such a fantasic song -- great stucture and melody. Unfortunately I have no idea what she is talking about. Baby silvertooth?
She's talking about the people she was in past lives. Feed the tree=dirt nap This song sounds different than I remember Did Belly have a more popular live version or something?
karlaanne wrote:
WHOA! flashbacks...
As in flashbacks with lots of pretty colors?
Love this song! Why did I miss it today?? *sniff*
woods wrote:
Like to feed the lead singer my tree.
Familiar, unoriginal. I'll pass.
Excellent Song!
My daughter goes by the name "Tree".
WHOA! flashbacks...
Well, when you do that, be sure to remember your manners. She sings: Take your hat off boy when you're talkin to me... woods wrote:
Like to feed the lead singer my tree.
I haven't heard this is SOOSOO long! Love it love it! Thanks Bill!
woods wrote:
Like to feed the lead singer my tree.
sapling? twig?
Like to feed the lead singer my tree.
The rest of this disc is Darker than I thought... Still , always a 9.
dwhayslett wrote:
your post is boring and don't even have a grammar...
LOL
TampaPurple wrote:
Damn, I'm old.
Me too. My mom thought that the Mommas & the Poppas were cutting edge....
dissen wrote:
this is boring and don't even have a melody...
your post is boring and don't even have a grammar...
misa wrote:
I haven't heard this song in so long. My mom would play it all the time. Thanks RP
Damn, I'm old.
mrmojorisin wrote:
Totally agree. I was bummed that they didn't have any more. Quick trivia question, how many times does the word "belly" appear in the lyrics of both albums?
"Be there when I feed the Tree" means "when I'm dead"
I love this song, but what is she talking about?
RichardPrins wrote:
Both Belly discs are excellent...
Totally agree. I was bummed that they didn't have any more. Quick trivia question, how many times does the word "belly" appear in the lyrics of both albums?
gntlemanartist wrote:
WOW, I didn't think I'd EVER hear this on the radio. Hats off once again to B&R! You guys have wide-ranging and escriminating tastes.
I heard it at KGSR in Austin when it came out. That is a fairly eclectic station though. By the way, I LOVE this song.
Wow, I really haven't heard this in a long time... Nice to hear it again, but not too often :)
WOW, I didn't think I'd EVER hear this on the radio. Hats off once again to B&R! You guys have wide-ranging and escriminating tastes.
She can still leave her hat on though......
Huh, this song is really familiar, though assuredly its been years since I last heard it. Has this been covered by anyone...or are they covering it from someone else? Nice tune.