Lemon Tree (Will Holt song) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids "Lemon Tree" |
|
|---|---|
| Song by Trini Lopez | |
| from the album The Folk Album | |
| Genre | Folk |
| Songwriter(s) | Will Holt |
"Lemon Tree" is a well-known folk song. It was written by Will Holt in the late 1950s. The song was inspired by an older Brazilian song called Meu limão meu limoeiro.
Contents
The Story Behind Lemon Tree
The tune for "Lemon Tree" comes from a Brazilian folk song. This song is named Meu limão, meu limoeiro. José Carlos Burle arranged the music in 1937. Later, a Brazilian singer named Wilson Simonal helped make it very popular. The song uses a lemon tree to talk about love. It says, "Lemon tree very pretty, and the lemon flower is sweet, but the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat." This line suggests that something can look lovely but still be difficult or disappointing.
Trini Lopez's Famous Version
In 1965, the singer Trini Lopez recorded his own version of "Lemon Tree." This recording became the most successful one. It reached number twenty on the Billboard Hot 100 music chart. It also got to number two on the Billboard Middle Road Singles chart. Will Holt, who wrote "Lemon Tree," met Trini Lopez. Holt said Lopez was a "sweet guy" and that his version was "another take of the song."
Other Artists Who Sang It
Many other musicians have also recorded "Lemon Tree" over the years. Some of these artists include:
- Peter, Paul and Mary (1962) – Their version was the first time this trio appeared on the US Hot 100 chart.
- Chad & Jeremy
- The Kingston Trio
- The Seekers
- Bob Marley and The Wailers
- Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass (1965) – This version was on their album Whipped Cream & Other Delights.
- Sandie Shaw
- Roger Whittaker
Lemon Tree in Pop Culture
The song "Lemon Tree" has appeared in many places, like TV shows and books.
- In an episode of the TV show Seinfeld called "The Phone Message," the song is mentioned.
- A character named Jefferson D'Arcy sings it in a dream on the TV show Married... with Children. The episode is called "Lookin' for a Desk in All the Wrong Places."
- In the 1972 animated movie Fritz the Cat, a rabbit character talks about the song. He complains that too many guitar players are playing "Lemon Tree" in the park.
- In the late 1960s, the song was changed into a jingle for Lemon Pledge cleaner.
- "Lemon Tree" is also an important reference in Tim O'Brien's book The Things They Carried.
See also
In Spanish: Lemon Tree (canción de Will Holt) para niños
