Music

Mtume’s Juicy Fruit: the hidden meaning of the song lyrics

Posted by

Juicy Fruit is a classic song released by the american group Mtume in 1983. It was a big hit, staying on the top of Billboard Hot Black Singles for 8 weeks. The melody are soft and captivating like all best funk/soul classics of those times, and the song is still enjoyable today. Especially if one pays attention to the lyrics.

Here the official video of the song:

Mtume - Juicy Fruit
Watch this video on YouTube.

The meaning of the lyrics

The band members never gave any hint or confirmation about the meaning of the lyrics, so the interpretation of the song is left to the listener. And it’s natural to catch the sexy mood of the melody, together with the allusions on the lyrics and some specific frame on the official video, that often seem an invitation for the lover to get physical. The Juicy Fruit, in this case, is the way a lover gives physical love to their partner.

Candy rain
Comin’ down
Taste you in my mind
And spread you all around

Making love is a matter of body and brain, obviously. You can taste love on your skin, as it was rain falling on you, and you can feel it mentally. And everywhere within yourself. Some of the verses get so explicit that in some version of the song they have been replaced with more politically-correct words:

Do what you want
I don’t care
I’ll be your lollipop
(You can lick me everywhere)

All signs tell us then that the song is about seduction and sexual bond. And the fact that the band never commented about it, could actually be a clear confirmation itself.

The full lyrics

You know very well
What you are
You’re my sugar thing
My chocolate star

I’ve had a few
But not that many
But you’re the only love
That gives me good and plenty

Juicy fruit

Candy rain
Comin’ down
Taste you in my mind
And spread you all around

Here I am
Oh, this love’s for you
Hey, baby
Sweet as honey dew

Close my eyes
Oh, what fantasy
And you’re right here with me
Juicy

Cherry blossom kiss
What you’re givin’
Makes my body rock
Keeps me sizzlin’

Do what you want
I don’t care
I’ll be your lollipop
(You can lick me everywhere)

Juicy fruit

Here I am
This love’s for you
Hey, baby
You’re sweet as honey dew

Close my eyes
Oh, what fantasy
And you’re right here with me
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Juicy fruit

Published by Carlo Affatigato

Carlo has been a web content creator for over 10 years. He founded Auralcrave in 2015, envisioning it as a new space capable of offering different perspectives on topics that passionate all of us. With a scientific background, Carlo developed an interest in music, cinema, literature, and art at a young age, transforming it into a complementary dimension to his professional growth. For years, he was a music journalist specializing in electronic and dance music, writing for the most important Italian magazines (both online and print). Movies and TV series have been a true obsession in many phases of his life: during university, it was not uncommon for him to set the alarm in the middle of the night to watch classic films airing on TV. With the advent of the Internet, Carlo became a keen observer of web and social phenomena, addressing light topics such as advertising, trends, fashion, and general themes. He is the main author of Auralcrave and personally manages its social media, editorial line, book publication, resource management, and business expansion. A former engineer, life coach, husband, and father, he believes that every area of knowledge has interesting stories that deserve to be told and is convinced that doing so makes the world a better place.