Meaning of "Bitter Fruit" by The Kills

The lyrics of "Bitter Fruit" delve into the theme of a toxic relationship and the lingering effects it has on the speaker. The repeated lines "Got your branches at the root" and "I cut your branches through & through" represent the speaker's attempt to sever ties with their partner and escape the toxicity. However, it becomes clear that the impact of the relationship is deep-rooted and has tainted their perspective, demonstrated by the line "All my love is cut in a single blow." The metaphor of the fruit symbolizes the negative outcomes and consequences of their love, which is described as "bitter fruit" that has poisoned the speaker's mind and left them feeling trapped and bitter. The speaker acknowledges their own role in perpetuating the toxic dynamics by praying for things that end up cursing them, suggesting a realization of their own complicity in the unhealthy relationship. Overall, the lyrics illustrate the struggle to break free from a destructive connection and the enduring aftermath it leaves behind.