“Big Black Horse and a Cherry Tree”
“Big Black Horse and a Cherry Tree”, written by singer and songwriter KT Tunstall, became an international hit in 2005. The song starts off with the sound of a mandolin, along with lines like “I cut my feet on some broken glass walking back to you”, and paints a vivid picture of a difficult journey. In the bridge and chorus of the song, Tunstall begins to sing an upbeat, sing-along type of melody that still resonates today. The catchiness and lightheartedness of the song won Tunstall a British Viewers Choice Award, and made the tune a chart topping hit across the world.
When “Big Black Horse and a Cherry Tree” was released, it became an immediate success. The song eventually peaked at number 13 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and was featured in numerous films and TV shows, such as “Grey’s Anatomy”, in which Tunstall also guest starred. Additionally, the song’s accompanying video, which was directed by Sophie Muller, was nominated for both the 2006 MTV Video Music Award for Breakthrough Video and the 2006 UK Music Video Awards for Best Pop Video.
KT Tunstall herself has reflected on the song’s special place in her canon of work. She has said that the song “has legs that I never dreamed it would have … I was just so proud of it because it was the first thing I ever wrote.” Furthermore, it is one of the few songs she can still perform without feeling like a nostalgia act. Tunstall has discussed the journey that the song has been on, saying in an interview that “it seems to mean something personal to so many people”, regularly hearing stories from fans “giving it its own sort of folklore”.
In terms of its composition and construction, it is largely believed that the tune is somewhat similar to a traditional Irish folk song called “Green Grow the Rushes O”, which can be traced as far back as 1750. This song also follows the same numerical structure as “Big Black Horse and a Cherry Tree” by uttering a pattern of four lines and then three lines with the same type of upbeat melody.
The influence of the song extends even further from its catchy melody. It has come to represent somewhat of a breakthrough for KT Tunstall. Upon its release, the tune served as an international introduction to the artist and her polished industry sound. Although the single was incredibly popular, it also made many people aware of the range of innovative sounds Tunstall is able to create, and pushed to the forefront the lyricism and depth of emotion of the woman behind the track.
Upon its release, the single was incredibly well received. Millions of people around the world were made aware of the latest star to enter the music scene. However, even now, 15 years after the fact, the song still resonates, while KT’s wide reaching talents remain an inspiration to all.
The Impact of the Song’s Success
KT Tunstall’s success with “Big Black Horse and a Cherry Tree” had a ripple effect into the music industry. Her Grammy nomination for the song boosted her record sales, as many people decided to buy the album after hearing the single. It also opened up a variety of opportunities for her to collaborate with other artists, perform in different venues and become a judge on popular TV singing competitions like TheVoiceUK.
In addition to introducing her to different audiences, the success of “Big Black Horse and a Cherry Tree” also made Tunstall an international pop star and launched her music career. It provided her with the platform to continue making music, tour and gain more recognition in the industry.
Moreover, the success of the song also inspired many other young female artists to follow in Tunstall’s footsteps. Women across all genres have been empowered by her example, as her decision to continue making independent music, despite commercial pressures, gave them the courage to pursue their own creative paths.
The Lyrical Composition of “Big Black Horse and a Cherry Tree”
When examining the lyrical composition of “Big Black Horse and a Cherry Tree”, it is important to note how Tunstall cleverly juxtaposes two different concepts together; the darkness of a difficult journey neatly intertwined with the happiness of being reunited with a loved one. This combination of light and darkness naturally creates emotions within the listener. As the song progresses, we can hear Tunstall’s voice soar to sky-high heights as they find a way to transcend their struggles and make it to the other side, a point that she is able to capture through her lyrics and melodies.
Thematically, Tunstall incorporates classical archetypes from many different cultures throughout the song. For example, there are roman references including Pegasus, the immortal horse representing freedom and self-empowerment. There are also biblical references of popular stories such as Gideon’s fleece, and ancient Swedish ballads that use metaphors to paint a picture of “the little bird’s courage in its struggle for life”. Tunnstall is able to bring all of these elements together to create an even more powerful narrative about being brave enough to take the path of transformation.
The Alternations of the Song over the Years
“Big Black Horse and a Cherry Tree” has been covered by many people over the years, spanning genres and languages. Most notably, country singer Faith Hill recorded a cover of the song, in which she sung it in a lower key and with a distinct country twang.
Country duo Sugarland also featured the track in their live concerts, playing it in a slower tempo, and giving it an entirely different mood and meaning then the original version. Additionally, “Big Black Horse and a Cherry Tree” has been covered by various different musicians in different languages, such as Czech, French, Italian and Spanish, proving the global reach of the song.
Continued Popularity of the Song
It has been more than 15 years since “Big Black Horse and a Cherry Tree” was first released and the song has remained popular throughout the years. This can be attributed to the fact that many fans of the track can easily relate to the difficult journey that Tunstall sings about, as well as the uplifting message that the chorus conveys.
The song is also beloved because of the catchy melody and sing-along quality. It has been praised by people all over the world, regardless of age or genre preference, and is still often featured on the radio and in live performances.
Finally, another reason why the tune has kept its relevance even all these years later is due to the storytelling. Through her snapshots of life, Tunstall is able to take her listeners on a journey that not only sounds great but has a powerful narrative.
The Use of Mandolin Production in Tunstall’s Track
Mandolin is an important instrument that appears in a lot of Tunstall’s music, including “Big Black Horse and a Cherry Tree”. The mandolin is a stringed instrument that is often used to add texture and richness to a track. Tunstall is known for incorporating it in her work, as it is her signature sound. By using mandolin as the foundation of her song, she was able to delicately weave an intricate story that was both emotionally resonant and musically thrilling.
The alternation of the mandolin throughout the track helps to bridge together the different sections of the song, giving it a fuller and more complex texture. Furthermore, the mandolin is used to take the listener on the journey that Tunstall’s lyrics are speaking of. The instrument makes a particularly noteworthy entrance on the bridge of the song, which is often referred to as its triumphant “moment” and is said to be what makes it truly special.
Overall, the mandolin production of KT Tunstall’s “Big Black Horse and a Cherry Tree” is one of the aspects that has kept the song so relevant throughout the years and has allowed it to become a modern day classic.
KT Tunstall’s Legacy: Big Black Horse and a Cherry Tree
Today, KT Tunstall has achieved great career success and her tune “Big Black Horse and a Cherry Tree” has become her definitive hit. She continues to perform the song in live concerts and use it as a symbol of her successes and growth as an artist.
The single not only launched Tunstall’s career but it also changed how people viewed the music industry. It was a folk-influenced breakout track in an era of industry-driven pop music and for that, it will continue to remain an important part of the singer’s legacy.
The song has definitely stood the test of time and continues to be cherished by countless fans across the globe. Its unique combination of darkness and light, of classical references and personal storytelling, along with the catchy chorus and mandolin production have allowed it to become a classic in its own right.
