willow

Mood

Production Style

Background

The lead single from evermore, produced by Aaron Dessner, 'willow' arrived as a surprise companion to folklore just five months later. The song uses the metaphor of a willow tree's branches to describe being drawn irresistibly toward someone.

Meaning & Interpretation

The song captures the feeling of magnetic, inevitable love — the way certain people pull you toward them no matter how far you wander. The willow branch bending toward water becomes a metaphor for desire that is both natural and unstoppable. Unlike the cerebral storytelling of much of folklore, 'willow' operates on pure sensory imagery, prioritizing feel over narrative.

Personal Connection

As evermore's opening statement, 'willow' signaled that this sister album would be warmer and more romantically focused than folklore's literary detachment.