Hanging Tree is written by Alain Johannes for The Desert Sessions in 2001. He’s also cited as personell on Songs for the Deaf. Such a legend. This song has his fingerprints all over it. The 5/4, the melody, the chords, the guitar.
“Hangin' Tree” was originally written by Alain Johannes and Mark Lanegan for a Desert Sessions album (which it was released on), but Mark Lanegan’s vocals apparently made it so good it was included on the masterpiece Songs for the Deaf. -From Genius. The Mark Queens Era is unbelievably good. Was always hoping Mark could come back and do tunes with them. RIP Mark
1st time i heard this song was when i 1st heard QOTSA like 6 yrs ago when i bought "songs for the deaf". it made me go back and find everything they ever made and i love ALL OF IT, but i really think this is my favortie QOTSA song, period!
I believe this may be my favourite performance of any song ever! I've listened to this well over 100times over the years & every single time I come back to it I get a huge shiver down my spine when that opening bass riff kicks in with the twang of the lead of it. It's a seriously beautiful thing. QOTSA for life!
I'm in love with Lanegan's voice, and have taken a couple of cues from him when it comes to singin with my band. I have never enjoyed perfoming more than i do now.
This song is about the hanging tree in Ellensburg,WA where Mark Lanegan is from. There was a lynching there in the 20's where a mob stormed the Ellensburg jail and hung a farmer and his son that had committed manslaughter. I walk past that tree every day on the way to work.
a song about a hanging tree. No one, and I mean absolutely no one in the whole wide world could sing this song, except Mark Lanegan. Perfect gravely vocal
Josh agrees with you 100% and will always say as much given the opportunity. Of all the voices I've ever heard sing, Mark Lanegan's is my favorite. RIP Old Scratch 🖤 🖤 🖤
Easily one of the best lineups live. Lanegan has haunting and gritty vocals, and Homme's rhythmic voice adds layers to it. I do miss Oliveri, but his time had passed.
less is sometimes more...great simple riffs this song...but its always about the melody over the top of the music that makes it all come alive...just a great writer Josh...love his feel...thanks for letting go and showing us your depths...awesomeeee stuff Queens..
Tsarina Mccowat Alain Johannes wrote this song, but you’re right. I write better melodies over simpler progressions. A lot of my songs are kinda busy musically, much harder to write melodies for because I don’t like singing the same melody as the busy music has, so it’s a challenge to counter it. Love Queens. Too bad more bands of today don’t have their sensibility.
