"Little Seed, Big Tree" is a single by English musician Ian Brown, released on 18 September 2020. An anti-lockdown song, it received a negative reaction from critics, and split fan reaction.
| "Little Seed, Big Tree" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Single by Ian Brown | |
| Released | 18 September 2020 |
| Genre | |
| Length | 5:10 |
| Label | Black Koi |
| Songwriter | Ian Brown |
| Producer | Ian Brown |
Background
editBrown had previously made numerous anti-mask and anti-lockdown remarks on Twitter,[1] such as a tweet reading "NO LOCKDOWN NO TESTS NO TRACKS NO MASKS NO VAX #researchanddestroy",[2] and also criticised Bill Gates.[1][3] In a deleted tweet, he also described the coronavirus pandemic as "planned and designed to make us digital slaves".[4]
Release
editThe song was released on 18 September 2020.[5] Described by Louder Than War as "sparse and atmospheric",[6] its lyrics feature references to several conspiracy theories, including the New World Order, chemtrails, 5G radiation, and forced microchip implanting.[7][8] It was removed from Spotify in March 2021, with Brown claiming it as an act of "censorship", while Spotify stated it "prohibits content on the platform which promotes dangerous false, deceptive, or misleading content about Covid-19".[9] It remained available on Apple Music.[10]
Reception
editRobin Murray of Clash described the song as "genuinely appalling" and as a "career low from a British great".[11] Ewan Gleadow of Cult Following called the song a "convulsing, flailing pocket of nonsense" which was "set on dismantling and disrupting sensible advice".[12]
Fan reaction to the song was mixed, with some offering praise, while others criticised the political message.[3][5]
References
edit- 1 2 Jones, Damian (18 September 2020). "Ian Brown shares anti-lockdown song 'Little Seed Big Tree' and hits out again over coronavirus". NME. Archived from the original on 22 September 2020. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
- ↑ "Liam Gallagher quizzed on Ian Brown's anti-mask tweet". Radio X. Archived from the original on 17 November 2025. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
- 1 2 "Ian Brown shares anti-lockdown song amid coronavirus comments". Radio X. 19 September 2020. Archived from the original on 9 February 2026. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
- ↑ Sturges, Fiona (4 December 2020). "It used to be the fans spreading bonkers conspiracies – in the age of coronavirus, it's Madonna and Ian Brown". The Independent. Archived from the original on 1 November 2025. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
- 1 2 Chilton, Louis (18 September 2020). "Stone Roses singer Ian Brown 'alienates fans' with anti-lockdown song". The Independent. Archived from the original on 17 October 2025. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
- ↑ louderthanwar (18 September 2020). "LISTEN! Ian Brown posts new track 'Little Seed, Big Tree' which is his take on the current pandemic situation". Louder Than War. Archived from the original on 27 January 2021. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
- ↑ Umar, Muneebah; Medlin, Zach (29 September 2020). "'Little Seed Big Tree': the ugly face of the anti-mask, anti-vax movement". The Vision. Archived from the original on 31 March 2023. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
- ↑ "Ian Brown steps down from festival over vaccine". BBC News. 4 March 2021. Archived from the original on 23 March 2026. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
- ↑ Lewis, Isobel (13 March 2021). "Ian Brown claims Spotify removed anti-lockdown song in act of 'censorship'". The Independent. Archived from the original on 25 May 2026. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
- ↑ Richards, Will (13 March 2021). "Ian Brown says Spotify has taken down his anti-lockdown song 'Little Seed Big Tree'". NME. Archived from the original on 15 March 2026. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
- ↑ Murray, Robin (18 September 2020). "Ian Brown's 'Little Seed Big Tree' Is Genuinely Appalling". Clash Magazine. Archived from the original on 12 November 2024. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
- ↑ Gleadow, Ewan (18 September 2020). "Ian Brown – Little Seed, Big Tree Review". Cult Following. Archived from the original on 25 May 2026. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
External links
edit- Little Seed, Big Tree on Discogs (list of releases)
- Little Seed, Big Tree on MusicBrainz