Oscar-Nominated Songs: The Hanging Tree
By Four Walls
@FourWalls (67681)
United States
January 6, 2023 11:05am CST
Into each person’s life some country music must fall, and that’s true even in a countdown highlighting Oscar-nominated songs! 
And we’ve reached that place. Can you believe that country songs have been nominated? Well, wait until tomorrow and I’ll really shock you. But for now, here’s today’s song.
The Hanging Tree - Marty Robbins
A western movie with a western theme song? Whodathunkit? 
Here we have Gary Cooper (remember that name 
) starring in one of those “stranger comes to town and things start happening” westerns (heck, isn’t that the plot of EVERY western? ). The film, in addition to all of that, was the first movie to feature future Oscar-winning actor George C. Scott.
It also had something else: a theme song that basically told the entire story of the movie during the opening credits!! (Of course, it didn’t cost then what it costs now to see a movie, so you didn’t feel ripped off.) Marty Robbins, who by then was already a superstar and was gaining a reputation for western story songs (“El Paso”), did the honors.
The song was nominated, losing to “High Hopes.” But at least this song has never been turned into a Hi-C commercial!
The Hanging Tree
Written by Mack David and Jerry Livingston
Recorded by Marty Robbins
From The Hanging Tree, 1959
To really live you must almost die:
And we’ve reached that place. Can you believe that country songs have been nominated? Well, wait until tomorrow and I’ll really shock you. But for now, here’s today’s song.
The Hanging Tree - Marty Robbins
A western movie with a western theme song? Whodathunkit?
Here we have Gary Cooper (remember that name ) starring in one of those “stranger comes to town and things start happening” westerns (heck, isn’t that the plot of EVERY western? ). The film, in addition to all of that, was the first movie to feature future Oscar-winning actor George C. Scott.
It also had something else: a theme song that basically told the entire story of the movie during the opening credits!! (Of course, it didn’t cost then what it costs now to see a movie, so you didn’t feel ripped off.) Marty Robbins, who by then was already a superstar and was gaining a reputation for western story songs (“El Paso”), did the honors.
The song was nominated, losing to “High Hopes.” But at least this song has never been turned into a Hi-C commercial!
The Hanging Tree
Written by Mack David and Jerry Livingston
Recorded by Marty Robbins
From The Hanging Tree, 1959
To really live you must almost die:
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13 people like this
14 responses
@celticeagle (166638)
• Boise, Idaho
6 Jan 23
I recall this movie. It was a hard western as I recall.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (67681)
• United States
6 Jan 23
We didn’t start getting comedic western films until the 60s (with things like McClintock! and the previously-mentioned Cat Ballou). It was good to see humor in the westerns because, as I said, one plot fit all generally.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (166638)
• Boise, Idaho
8 Jan 23
@FourWalls ...........The one I am thinking of wasn't a comedy.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (67681)
• United States
8 Jan 23
@celticeagle — I was saying that we didn’t have comedic westerns at the time, so they were all “hard westerns.” Sorry I was so jumbled in my thought there (although that’s perfectly normal for me ).
).1 person likes this
@FourWalls (67681)
• United States
7 Jan 23
WHAT?????????????? When I was going through the list I found there were quite a few country songs nominated this one, today’s song, “On the Road Again,” and “9 to 5” come to mind from the list immediately.
When I was going through the list I found there were quite a few country songs nominated this one, today’s song, “On the Road Again,” and “9 to 5” come to mind from the list immediately.2 people like this
@FourWalls (67681)
• United States
7 Jan 23
@CarolDM — I know, I’m just kidding with you. I love to tease people who don’t like singers that “everybody” is supposed to like. I certainly have a long list of people that “everybody” likes that I don’t care for. 
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
7 Jan 23
@FourWalls I was saying even though this song didn't win, at least it was nominated. That's all.
1 person likes this
@crossbones27 (49376)
• Mojave, California
6 Jan 23
I am Bobby Mcgee, I thinks funny but maybe not. I like it Amercana for sure.
1 person likes this
@crossbones27 (49376)
• Mojave, California
7 Jan 23
@FourWalls How funny and thanks for saving me. I am dude I swear, that would have went well in Marines. lol Why you always neat miss lady you know your music. Paying attention if not to hammered for real.
1 person likes this
And thanks. 
I do love my music, as Loggins & Messina said.@FourWalls (67681)
• United States
7 Jan 23
You’re not Bobby McGee, because “he” was originally a she! (No kidding, there was a secretary that Fred Foster knew named Bobbie McKee, and he suggested her name to Kristofferson, and the rest is history!)
(No kidding, there was a secretary that Fred Foster knew named Bobbie McKee, and he suggested her name to Kristofferson, and the rest is history!)1 person likes this
@FourWalls (67681)
• United States
8 Jan 23
Were you dreaming you were after Texas Red?
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (67681)
• United States
7 Jan 23
What do you expect when the Ray Coniff singers show up? 
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (177809)
• United States
6 Jan 23
That wasn't so bad. Usually the ballads for the cowboy movies aren't too "country".
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (67681)
• United States
6 Jan 23
And this had the Ray Coniff Singers. They had to make sure people didn’t run out, screaming, “Argh, a country song!!!!!” right at the beginning of the movie “
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (177809)
• United States
6 Jan 23
@FourWalls lol There are some western movie themes that I actually like.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (47242)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
6 Jan 23
I like me some Marty but this song is a bit lacklustre so didn't deserve to win. Not sure if High Hopes deserved to win, either, but at least it was lively.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (67681)
• United States
6 Jan 23
“High Hopes” was definitely the better song, but I grew up with this (and Marty) so I’m going to be prejudiced.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (89832)
• Arvada, Colorado
7 Jan 23
OH I surely love this and all the old Westerns.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (67681)
• United States
7 Jan 23
Ah, the good old days…when the good guy always won.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (79649)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
6 Jan 23
Never cared for Westerns but have seen some. I guess the two I preferred were Shane and High Noon. I have heard of the song and love the singer. His El Paso City always sends me,
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (67681)
• United States
7 Jan 23
Im not a huge western fan; because, as I said, the plots are generally the same. Love Marty, too!
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (67681)
• United States
7 Jan 23
Glad you know it. Love me some Marty Robbins!!
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (67681)
• United States
6 Jan 23
That’s more like it! Come back tomorrow for another one!
1 person likes this
