Apple

Charli XCX's "Apple" is a deeply personal and metaphorical exploration of her relationship with her parents and the concept of intergenerational trauma. The song uses the apple as a central metaphor for inherited traits, familial connection, and the emotional baggage passed down through generations. Charli herself confirmed in an interview that the song is about her 'kinda sticky relationship' with her mom and dad.

The lyrics delve into the classic idiom "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree," reflecting on how she sees herself in her parents. However, this reflection is not entirely positive. It leads to a feeling of being misunderstood and an overwhelming desire to escape, symbolized by the recurring line "I just wanna drive to the airport." The song also touches on the complexities within these inherited traits, acknowledging there are 'lots of different nuances.'

The core message surfaces with the lyric, "I think the apple's rotten right to the core / From all the things passed down / From all the apples coming before." This directly addresses the idea of inherited trauma, suggesting that negative patterns and pain have been transmitted through her family line. For Charli, whose heritage is half-Indian, this can also be interpreted as reflecting the historical traumas of her ancestry. Ultimately, "Apple" is a poignant and candid reflection on the struggle to form one's own identity while grappling with the unchangeable truths of one's lineage. It captures a complex mix of love, frustration, and the frightening process of self-discovery within a familial context.

The song unfolds as a poignant reflection on familial relationships and the traits passed down through generations. The narrative begins with the acknowledgment of the familiar saying, "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree." The singer looks at a parental figure and sees a reflection of herself, a realization that is both connecting and confining. This recognition sparks a desire to escape, to metaphorically throw the apple away and drive to the airport, a symbol of flight from an identity that feels predetermined and misunderstood. There's a deep sense of not being heard or seen for who she is, which fuels this urge to flee.

As the song progresses, the contemplation deepens. The apple is not just a simple object but something that can be 'yellow or green,' signifying the nuances and complexities within her family and herself. There's a dual desire expressed: to cultivate the good parts, to 'grow the apple, keep all the seeds,' while simultaneously feeling overwhelming anger at the lack of communication and understanding, which once again leads to the thought of leaving. The repetition of wanting to drive to the airport underscores a persistent feeling of being trapped and the constant yearning for a way out.

The central theme of intergenerational trauma crystallizes in the third verse. The singer believes the apple is 'rotten right to the core,' not due to her own failings, but because of 'all the things passed down from all the apples coming before.' This is a powerful statement about the weight of ancestral burdens. When she metaphorically splits the apple open, what she discovers about this inherited legacy is frightening, reinforcing the instinct to drive away as a form of self-preservation. The act of driving becomes a frantic, repeated motif for escapism. The song concludes with a series of questions directed at the parental figure, asking where they go when they feel alone. This shift from running away to seeking to understand the other's solitude suggests a glimmer of empathy and a search for common ground, ending the song on a questioning, bittersweet note of unresolved longing for connection amidst the pain.

"Apple" is a track from Charli XCX's sixth studio album, Brat, released in 2024. The song was first teased on September 8, 2023, when Charli XCX posted a photo of a notebook on social media, displaying lyrics for a track titled "The Apple." It was later previewed again on April 2, 2024, through a voice memo sent to fans.

The song was written by Charlotte Aitchison (Charli XCX), George Daniel (of The 1975, and Charli's fiancé), Linus Wiklund (Lotus IV), and Noonie Bao. The production was handled by Charli XCX, A. G. Cook, George Daniel, and Linus Wiklund. In an interview, Charli mentioned that the album Brat was very lyrically led, and she specifically wanted to write a song about her complicated relationship with her parents, which became "Apple." It has also been noted that the song was initially conceived as a way for Charli to channel the lyrical and ethereal style of her friend and collaborator, Caroline Polachek.

"Apple" was officially released to Italian radio as the third single from the album on August 2, 2024.

"Apple" employs a relatively simple and direct rhyme scheme that enhances its pop accessibility, often using perfect rhymes in a free verse structure that prioritizes lyrical narrative over strict formal constraints. For example, in the first verse, 'tree' rhymes with 'me' and 'sky' with 'drive.' This straightforward approach makes the poignant lyrics easy to follow and remember.

The song's rhythm is one of its most defining features. It is built on a driving, danceable beat with a consistent, mid-to-uptempo pace that creates a feeling of perpetual motion. This rhythmic energy musically embodies the lyrical theme of wanting to 'just wanna drive.' There is a compelling contrast between the energetic, almost frantic rhythm and the heavy, introspective subject matter of intergenerational trauma. This juxtaposition is a hallmark of Charli XCX's style on the Brat album, creating a soundscape that is both club-ready and emotionally resonant. The insistent pulse of the synths and the steady beat make the desire for escape feel urgent and palpable.

Musically, "Apple" is an electro-pop and synth-pop track that blends a catchy, upbeat dance rhythm with introspective and melancholic themes. The production, handled by collaborators like A. G. Cook and George Daniel, features pulsating synths and driving beats reminiscent of 1980s electro and the 2000s rave scene, while maintaining a contemporary pop sensibility. Meaghan Garvey of Pitchfork noted the influence of French electronic musician Breakbot in the track's "sweetness."

Lyrically, the song is built on an extended metaphor and makes use of well-known idiomatic expressions like "the apple don't fall far from the tree" and being "rotten to the core," which are re-contextualized to explore deeper psychological themes. Charli's vocal delivery is emotive and direct, conveying a sense of vulnerability and frustration that contrasts with the energetic musical backdrop. The song's structure uses repetition effectively, particularly the recurring phrase "the airport," to emphasize the theme of escapism. The outro shifts to a more inquisitive tone, with rhetorical questions that create a sense of longing for understanding.

"Apple" became a significant cultural touchstone shortly after the release of Charli XCX's album Brat. Its most notable impact was sparking a massive viral dance trend on TikTok. The dance, created by TikTok user Kelley Heyer, became ubiquitous in the summer of 2024, performed by fans and numerous celebrities, which significantly boosted the song's popularity and mainstream recognition. This viral success propelled the song onto the charts, reaching the top ten in the UK and Ireland and charting in several other countries.

The song, and the album Brat as a whole, solidified Charli XCX's status as a defining artist for Gen Z and a leading figure in contemporary pop. Critics praised "Apple" for being both an infectious, energetic pop song and a deeply meaningful exploration of complex themes like intergenerational trauma. The track has been covered by other artists, such as Griff and UPSAHL, further cementing its place in the 2024 musical landscape. It also earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Pop Solo Performance at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, recognizing its critical and commercial success.

The song is built around the central metaphor of the apple, which is used in a multifaceted way.

• Inheritance and Family Traits: The primary symbolism comes from the idiom "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree," representing the genetic and behavioral traits passed from parents to children. Charli explores seeing herself in her parents, which is both a connection and a source of conflict.
• Intergenerational Trauma: The metaphor is extended to symbolize inherited pain and negative cycles. The lyric "I think the apple's rotten right to the core / From all the things passed down" explicitly frames the apple as a carrier of ancestral trauma. This transforms a simple fruit into a symbol of a damaged lineage.
• The Self and Identity: The apple also represents Charli's own identity, which she examines by metaphorically splitting it "down symmetrical lines." What she finds is "kinda scary," suggesting a difficult confrontation with the parts of herself that are inherited. Her desire to "throw the apple into the sky" symbolizes a wish to break free from these predetermined patterns and forge her own path.
• Escapism: The recurring desire to "drive to the airport" serves as a powerful motif for escapism. It represents a desperate need to flee from the overwhelming and complicated feelings her family relationships evoke.

The most significant recurring motif in "Apple" is the titular apple itself, which symbolizes inherited traits and generational trauma throughout the song.

Lyrically, the phrase "I just wanna drive" and the destination, "the airport," are repeated multiple times across different verses. This repetition serves as the song's central emotional hook, powerfully conveying a persistent and overwhelming desire for escapism. It highlights a coping mechanism where physical flight is the immediate response to emotional distress and feeling misunderstood by family. The repetition of "the airport" turns the location into a powerful symbol of freedom and a break from the familial cycle.

The phrase "I'm gonna drive, gonna drive all night" acts as an interlude, emphasizing the depth of this desire to escape, suggesting a journey without a clear destination, purely for the sake of movement and avoidance.

Finally, the outro's repeated question, "I wanna know where you go / When you're feeling alone, do you?" is a recurring motif that shifts the song's perspective from escape to a longing for connection and understanding.