A TRIBE CALLED QUEST – Bonita Applebum (1990)

A Tribe Called Quest was an American hip hop group formed in St. Albans, Queens, New York, in 1985, originally composed of rapper and main producer Q-Tip, rapper Phife Dawg, DJ and co-producer Ali Shaheed Muhammad, and rapper Jarobi White. Members of the Native Tongues collective, the group is regarded as a pioneer of alternative hip hop, influencing numerous hip hop and R&B musicians.

“Bonita Applebum” is the second single from A Tribe Called Quest’s debut album People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm. The song contains samples of “Daylight” by RAMP, “Memory Band” by Rotary Connection, and “Fool Yourself” by Little Feat. Rolling Stone featured “Bonita Applebum” on their list of 20 essential songs from the group.

Do I love you? Do I lust for you? Am I a sinner because I do the two? Can you let me know Right now, please Bonita Applebum

Bonita Applebum, you gotta put me on Bonita Applebum, I said, you gotta put me on Bonita Applebum, gotta put me on Bonita Applebum, I said, you gotta put me on Bonita Applebum, gotta put me on Bonita Applebum, I said, you gotta put me on Bonita Applebum, you gotta put me on Bonita, Bonita, Bonita

Hey Bonita, glad to meet ya For the kind of stunning newness, I must have foreseen ya Hey, being with you is a top priority Ain’t no need to question the authority Chairman of the board, the chief of affections You got mine’s to swing in your direction Hey, you’re like a hip hop song, you know? Bonita Applebum, you gotta put me on

Bonita Applebum, you gotta put me on Bonita Applebum, I said, you gotta put me on Bonita Applebum, gotta put me on Bonita Applebum, I said, you gotta put me on Bonita Applebum, gotta put me on Bonita Applebum, I said, you gotta put me on Bonita Applebum, you gotta put me on Bonita, Bonita, Bonita

38-24-37 (uh, uh, uh!) You and me, hun, we’re a match made in heaven I like to kiss ya where some brothas won’t I like to tell ya things some brothas don’t If only you could see through your elaborate eyes Only you and me, hun, the love never dies Satisfaction, I have the right tactics And if you need ’em, I got crazy prophylactics So far, I hope you like rap songs Bonita Applebum, you gotta put me on

Bonita Applebum, you gotta put me on Bonita Applebum, I said, you gotta put me on Bonita Applebum, gotta put me on Bonita Applebum, I said, you gotta put me on Bonita Applebum, gotta put me on Bonita Applebum, I said, you gotta put me on Bonita Applebum, you gotta put me on Bonita, Bonita, Bonita