Cherry | 5ive Songs

On the 85^th edition of 5ive Songs (2021), we select five songs that are associated with a CHERRY or CHERRIES in some form or fashion.

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elcome to 5ive Songs, where we keep things short and sweet – no extra calories or needless fluff! There’s a theme/topic, five songs, and a short blurb.  Yes, it’s a playlist, but it’s a miniature playlist that shouldn’t take much time to consume.  On the 85^th edition of 5ive Songs (2021), we select five songs that are associated with a CHERRY or CHERRIES in some form or fashion.  Okay, let’s get into it!

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1. Kacey Musgraves, “Cherry Blossom”

Star-crossed • UMG Recordings, Inc. / MCA Nashville • 2021

“I’m your cherry blossom, baby / Don’t let me blow away,” Grammy winner Kacey Musgraves sings on the memorable chorus of “Cherry Blossom.” She adds, “I hope you haven’t forgotten / Tokyo wasn’t built in a day.” Here, on another groovy joint from her fourth album, Star-crossed, Musgraves flips a beloved adage, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Worth noting, Star-crossed encompasses her divorce from singer/songwriter, Ruston Kelly.

On “Star-crossed,” Musgraves suggests love – a relationship or marriage – takes a long-term investment to get right.  Adding to the colorful nature of the lyrics is picturesque production.  This soundscape helps the listener visualize the beauty of the cherry blossoms in Tokyo, Japan, as well as the beauty of a ripe, dedicated relationship. 

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2. The Neighbourhood, “Cherry Flavoured”

Chip Chrome & The Mono-Tones • Columbia • 2020

Though a bit quirky, Jesse Rutherford and The Neighbourhood deliver quite the alluring, charming, vibe-laden record with “Cherry Flavoured”, a promo single from the band’s 2020 album, Chip Chrome & The Mono-Tones.  With The Neighbourhood songs, you’ve got to appreciate that aesthetic and vibe are quite important.  That’s the case here on “Cherry Flavoured,” where we have a detuned pad and acoustic rhythm guitars that help establish a ‘druggy’ sound.  That druggy sound appears to be by design as ‘highness’ is mentioned throughout the record. 

We get the first taste of ‘highness’ on the brief first verse when Jesse sings, “Sweet and sour motivation / Wish I could keep concentration.” Of course, he doesn’t as the chorus addresses his unhealthy high… That said, the refrain, a distinct section that follows the post chorus speaks of a more positive high:

“Cherry flavoured conversations with you
Got me hanging on
Down to Earth from all the waiting
Take me somewhere beyond.”

Rutherford and company could be referencing fans and those who love them as opposed to potentially destructive drugs.  The second verse is longer and more dynamic than the first, fitting given the progression of the record itself.  It’s followed by the chorus, post-chorus, and an abbreviated refrain.  An outro – an about face – closes the intriguing “Cherry Flavoured”.

Also appears on :
Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy: August 2020

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3. Harry Styles, “Cherry”

Fine Line • Columbia • 2019

“Cherry” appears as the fifth track on Fine Line, the successful sophomore album by Grammy winner, Harry Styles.  The record embraces a Brit-pop, retro pop/rock sound, a good sound for Styles.  Two albums in, Harry continues to incorporate pop/rock musical styles of the past that are quite older than he is. 

“Cherry” is another lovely, thoughtful record, all said and done. Specifically, its written about an ex-girlfriend.  Styles sings on the chorus, “Don’t you call him ‘baby’ / We’re not talking lately,” continuing, “Don’t you call him what you used to call me.” Matters of the heart is always perfect fuel for the fire of a great record, sigh.

Also appears on :
15 C Songs Selected with No Rhyme or Reason

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4. KT Tunstall, “Black Horse and The Cherry Tree”

Eye to the Telescope • Universal Music Operations Limited • 2006

“Woohoo, woohoo!” For Scottish musician KT Tunstall, one song put her on the map during the aughts: “Black Horse and The Cherry Tree.” Mention her name, at least here in the United States, and that’s always the record that comes to mind. “Black Horse and The Cherry Tree” appears on her 2006 album, Eye to the Telescope.  To tell you just how notable this black horse/cherry tree joint was, it earned Tunstall a Grammy nomination. 

“Well, my heart knows me better than know myself
So, I’m gonna let it do all the talking
(Woohoo, woohoo)
I came across a place in the middle of nowhere
With a big black horse and a cherry tree.”

Tunstall penned this colorful, sub-three-minute classic on her own, while Steve Osborne and Andy Green work behind the boards.  The result is an infectious, hard-to-pigeonhole song – we’ll stick with the category it was nominated for by The Recording Academy, I suppose.  KT gives a fabulous vocal performance, infused with energy and personality – a winning formula.

“And it said, ‘No-no, no, no-no-no’
I said, ‘No, no
You’re not the one for me’.”

 

Also appears on :
11 Amazing Songs Associated with Trees

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5. Russ, “Cherry Hill”

There’s Really a Wolf • Columbia • 2017 

“Feelin’ lonely in this room since I was 17 / Thought this bottle was supposed to drown my memory / But I’m still swimmin’ in your vision and it’s temptin’ me…” “Cherry Hill” is one of the more intriguing moments from There’s Really a Wolf, the debut album from do-it-all musician, Russ. In the context of There’s Really a Wolf, “Cherry Hill” marks the first time that the rapper exclusively sings.  The record has more of an experimental vibe. 

“Maybe I’m a fool
Maybe I’m fool for you.”

Also, worth noting, “Cherry Hill” slackens the pace on There’s Really a Wolf and eschews profanity.  An element of romance rears its head throughout.  That romance is directed toward music and, you guessed it, women.

“We should have been
What we said
When we were
At the top of Cherry Hill.”

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Cherry : 5ive Songs No. 85 (2021) [: Atlantic, Brent Faulkner, Clovis Cheminot, Columbia, congerdesign from Pixabay ,The Musical Hype, OpenClipart-Vectors, Pixabay, Universal Music Operations Limited]

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