Tree (Reprise)
David Byrne · Knee Plays [2007]
She thinks that she must wear the right clothes
The right combination of clothes will make her lucky
But there are specific kinds of luck
And different kinds are needed for different occasions
A blue dress for intuition
The grey shirt and maroon slacks for making strong statements
The navy pullover and the woolen skirt for discovering mystery
She thinks of what she wore on a similar occasion
Like the one she will be involved in today
Particularly a similar occasion that was successful for her
She lies on the bed and imagines herself in a variety of outfits
She quickly narrows the range of possibilities
She tries them on in a few combinations
The striped shirt and corduroy slacks
The red dress, she leaves the house
The outcome is certain
Tree (Reprise)
David Byrne's "Tree (Reprise)" appears on the 2007 album Knee Plays, a work that blends theatrical storytelling with his signature art-rock sensibilities. The track serves as a reflective moment within a suite of songs exploring human connection and existential themes. Byrne's approach on this recording maintains the minimalist, rhythmic textures often found in his solo discography, utilizing sparse instrumentation to highlight the narrative weight of the piece. As part of a broader body of work that frequently examines societal structures and personal identity, the song demonstrates his ability to distill complex emotions into concise musical statements. This recording stands as a testament to Byrne's enduring exploration of the intersection between performance art and popular music.