The song paints a clear picture of someone trying to hide their pain and problems, almost like they’re mixing something strong with something innocent, like apple juice, to make it seem less obvious. But at the same time, they’re pushing back hard against anyone, especially a partner, who tries to change them or “fix” their problems. It’s a tricky mix of admitting they’re doing wrong, being super stubborn, and refusing to say sorry unless they genuinely feel like it.
As a powerful track from his project “I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 1.5)”, the main idea of “Apple Juice” is about the fight between knowing you have flaws (“I’m bad”) and strongly refusing anyone’s help or judgment (“Who the hell are you to tell me what to do?”). It perfectly captures the feeling of being stuck in possibly harmful habits but insisting on dealing with them your own way. Even if it means pushing away people you care about or putting off getting better until you’re truly ready.
Why “Apple Juice” as the Title? Hiding the Hard Stuff with Sweetness
The title “Apple Juice” is super important because it’s the main symbol in the song. Think about it: apple juice reminds us of being kids, being innocent, and everything being simple. So, when the song uses this image, it immediately creates a sharp contrast with the adult problems and bad habits it talks about.
The idea in the song – adding alcohol to this innocent drink – basically means he’s trying to hide deeper issues, pain, or “adult” problems under a fake front of normalcy or simplicity.
The title suggests he’s purposely trying to hide or soften how tough reality is, both from others and maybe even from himself. It points to immature ways of coping, like using something sweet and familiar to make a bitter truth easier to swallow. It perfectly sums up the song’s theme of acknowledging bad behavior while also trying to make it seem less serious, showing a complicated person who’s dealing with their issues in a not-so-healthy, almost childish way.
Breaking Down the “Apple Juice” Lyrics: A Blunt Confession
This part goes through the song’s story, showing all the layers of defiance, self-awareness, and resistance to change that pop up throughout the track. Each bit builds on the last, painting a picture of an inner struggle and nagging uncertainty.
Chorus: The Big Statement
The chorus clearly lays out the song’s main conflict and rebellious stance. It starts with the key symbolic act: still mixing alcohol with apple juice, not as a secret, but as an ongoing habit. Right after that, he admits he has no good reason (“I got no excuse”) and plainly says he’s sad and “bad.” This self-awareness is key; he knows his flaws.
Also, the chorus sets a clear boundary and gives a tough choice to his likely romantic partner: if he has to choose between the relationship and these habits or lifestyle, the relationship will lose (“it won’t be you”). He backs up this bold claim by admitting he tends to do the opposite of what people tell him – if you tell him not to do something, he’ll just do it more. It all ends with a direct challenge to anyone trying to tell him what to do, questioning who has the right to control his actions. This part truly captures the mix of admitting he’s struggling and being aggressively independent.
Verse 1: What’s Always Been and Saying No to Fitting In
The first verse talks directly to a partner, probably the one hinted at in the chorus. He shuts down any complaints by saying this behavior isn’t new; it’s been like this since the start of their relationship, asking why they’d expect things to change now. This really emphasizes his resistance to being changed or “fixed.”
The verse goes into more detail about his coping mechanisms, mentioning a specific mix: adding Welch’s grape juice to Hennessy cognac. This echoes the apple juice theme, possibly meaning he’s mixing something common or sweet with strong liquor, maybe to make it go down easier or hide how strong it is. Then, he openly rejects what society expects and fitting in, using the image of a tight button-down collar never fitting him. He embraces a more rebellious identity, even accepting being called a “degenerate,” while insisting that dealing with this is his own responsibility, not his partner’s project. He boldly claims this way of life, however unusual, ultimately works for him.
Verse 2: Brushing Off Worries and Putting Off Change
In the second verse, he tries to calm down external worries, maybe from family (“Mama’s praying”), suggesting that either God or his own toughness will keep him from completely going off the rails (“never too far gone”). He conditionally promises to ask for help if he needs it, but immediately asserts he’s fine on his own and will keep indulging (“‘Til then, I’m pouring another one”).
His commitment to his current lifestyle is further shown by mentioning specific habits, like smoking a certain brand of cigarettes (“smoking my Reds”), known for their strong, traditional image. His defiance peaks when he declares that he’ll probably repeat past actions, and apologies will only come when he truly feels them, not just to make others happy. This verse reinforces his stubborn independence, resistance to getting help too soon, and a commitment to living life, flaws and all, on his own schedule.
Outro: Still Defiant
The song ends by repeating the main, defiant question from the chorus, aimed at anyone trying to force their will or judgment on him. Along with expressive vocal sounds, this final repetition leaves you with a lasting impression of his resistance. It’s a final declaration of his independence, no matter how self-destructive his path might seem, solidifying the song’s core message of unapologetic, flawed self-determination.
Hidden Meanings and Symbols: Understanding the Defiance
“Apple Juice” uses specific, well-known symbols and hidden meanings to show its themes of hiding pain, rejecting norms, and defiantly self-destructing. These symbols add layers of meaning, helping listeners connect with the complex feelings being expressed.
Booze in My Apple Juice: Hiding Grown-Up Problems
The main symbolic act in the chorus (Lyrics: “I’m still putting booze in my apple juice”) is the song’s central hidden meaning. Apple juice, as we talked about, brings to mind innocence and childhood simplicity. Adding “booze” – a casual word for alcohol – represents grown-up problems, bad habits, sadness, or coping methods creeping into this seemingly harmless front. It’s a way of trying to hide or water down the harsh realities of his emotional state or lifestyle, making them easier to handle or less noticeable.
It suggests a certain level of immaturity in dealing with problems, resorting to a somewhat secret way of self-medicating or indulging instead of facing issues head-on. This act perfectly captures the song’s theme of being self-aware (“I got no excuse, I’m sad”) but choosing to avoid or hide things instead of directly confronting or changing them. It’s a powerful image of trying to keep up an outward appearance that doesn’t quite match what’s going on inside.
Welch’s in My Henny: Simple Change, Not Fancy
The specific mention of mixing “Welch’s in my Henny” (Lyrics referring to Welch’s grape juice and Hennessy cognac) adds another layer to the theme of coping. While there are lots of fancy Hennessy cocktails, just mixing it with a common grape juice like Welch’s is a very basic, straightforward mix. Unlike more complex or “sophisticated” drinks, this mix suggests a practical, maybe not-so-refined approach – perhaps aimed at making the strong liquor taste better or simply making it easier to drink quickly. Culturally, “Henny and Grape” is a recognized, though simple, combination.
In the song’s context, it reinforces the idea that he’s not necessarily looking for fancy escapism but maybe a more direct, functional way to get a desired effect or numb a feeling. It fits with his overall personality of rejecting pretense (“Button collar never fit”) and embracing a more straightforward, perhaps “degenerate,” way of dealing with things, even his bad habits.
Button Collar Never Fit: Saying No to Fitting In
The line about a “Button collar never fit” is a clear symbol of rejecting what society expects and conventional ways of living. A button-down shirt often represents formality, office work, conformity, or following certain social or professional rules. By saying it “never fit,” he’s asserting that he just doesn’t belong in such norms. It shows a rebellious spirit, a preference for a looser, less restricted way of life, and embracing an identity outside the mainstream.
This rejection of fitting in directly connects to the song’s defiant tone and his resistance to being changed or “fixed” by a partner or society. It suggests his self-destructive habits might even be tied to this anti-establishment identity, making them harder to shake off since they’re part of who he sees himself as – someone who values being authentic (in his view) over following the rules.
Smoking My Reds: Embracing Intensity and Rebellion
Mentioning “smoking my Reds” is another specific cultural reference, likely pointing to Marlboro Reds, a cigarette brand known for its strong flavor and historically linked to a tough, masculine, or rebellious image. Choosing this specific, strong brand over lighter options fits with his overall personality of embracing intensity and rejecting subtlety. It adds to the image of someone who lives life raw, perhaps even seeking out danger or intensity through his habits.
Like rejecting the button collar, this choice can be seen as another sign of not conforming and a commitment to a certain raw, unapologetic way of being. It strengthens his defiant stance and suggests he’s not looking for gentle comforts but fully engages with his chosen vices, further solidifying his resistance to changing his ways for others’ approval.
The Story Behind the Album: “I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy”
Just like other songs from the “I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 1.5)” project, “Apple Juice” doesn’t seem to have a widely known, single origin story separate from the album’s bigger picture. Instead, its meaning is deeply woven into the main themes Teddy Swims explores throughout this whole body of work. Producers Ido Zmishlany and Julian Bunetta helped create a sound that supports this raw, confessional vibe.
The album, as Swims has talked about in interviews, acts like an open diary of his experiences dealing with complicated emotions – including love, significant loss, mental health issues, and the often tough journey toward self-awareness and acceptance. “Apple Juice,” appearing early on the deluxe tracklist, plays a crucial role in setting this scene. It shows an artist struggling with unhealthy coping mechanisms and a fierce, almost combative, sense of independence. It embodies the kind of inner conflict and resistance to help that often comes before or requires the “therapy” mentioned in the album’s title. It’s a snapshot of a specific moment in the struggle – acknowledging the problem (“I’m sad,” “I’m bad”) but defiantly refusing to give up control over his healing process, making it a vital and authentic piece of the larger story of searching for peace amidst personal chaos.
Final Thoughts: A Song About Flawed Freedom
“Apple Juice” by Teddy Swims is a truly raw and defiant song about living life with acknowledged flaws and pushing back against outside pressure to change. It’s an honest admission of using unhealthy coping methods, clearly shown by masking alcohol with innocent juice, while at the same time strongly asserting a fierce, almost stubborn independence. As part of the bigger story in “I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 1.5),” the track captures the complex emotional state of knowing better but not yet being ready or willing to do better, putting personal freedom, however flawed, above fitting in or keeping a relationship peaceful.
Through specific cultural references and blunt lyrics, Swims paints a picture of defiant vulnerability. The song doesn’t ask for pity or make excuses; instead, it demands acceptance of his current state, warts and all. The lasting feeling it leaves you with is a powerful mix of frustration and understanding – recognizing the self-destructive patterns while also getting the deep human desire to control your own story and timeline for change, even when facing the consequences.
FAQs About Teddy Swims’ “Apple Juice”
Q1: What’s the main message of Teddy Swims’ “Apple Juice”? A1: The main message is about self-awareness regarding unhealthy coping mechanisms and a strong rejection of outside judgment. It’s about acknowledging your flaws (“I’m bad”) but stubbornly insisting on dealing with them on your own terms, even if it means pushing people away.
Q2: Why is the song called “Apple Juice”? What does it symbolize? A2: “Apple Juice” symbolizes innocence and childhood. By adding “booze” to it, the title metaphorically represents masking deeper adult problems, pain, or vices under a facade of normalcy or simplicity. It suggests using something sweet and familiar to make a bitter truth more palatable.
Q3: Is “Apple Juice” about a real struggle Teddy Swims is going through? A3: While not a direct autobiographical confession, the song is deeply rooted in the themes Teddy Swims explores in his album “I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 1.5),” which he describes as an open journal of his experiences with emotional challenges, loss, and mental health. So, it’s very authentic to his artistic journey and likely reflects internal conflicts he has faced or observed.
Q4: What does the line “Button collar never fit” mean? A4: This line symbolizes a rejection of societal expectations and conventional lifestyles. A button-down collar often represents formality and conformity. By saying it “never fit,” the speaker asserts a fundamental incompatibility with such norms, embracing a more rebellious and unrestricted way of life.
Q5: How does “Apple Juice” fit into the larger “I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 1.5)” album? A5: “Apple Juice” plays a crucial role in setting the stage for the album’s themes. It presents a portrait of someone grappling with unhealthy coping mechanisms and a fierce, almost combative, sense of independence. It embodies the internal conflict and resistance to help that often precedes or necessitates the “therapy” mentioned in the album’s title, making it a vital piece of the larger story of searching for peace amidst personal turmoil.