The Giving Tree

Album: Should've Gone To Bed (2013)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This acoustic ballad was written and sung by guitarist Tim Lopez. The song describes a dysfunctional give-and-take relationship and references Shel Silverstein's children's book of the same title, which Lopez recalls being read to him as a kid.
  • Frontman Tom Higgenson commented to Radio.com of the tune's bare production: "A song like 'The Giving Tree' that Tim wrote, it just felt so good with his finger-picking thing. It felt like that's the way the song should stay."

    "Sometimes adding to a song like that just takes away. What you really want to do is suck the listener in to only hear the story and the vocal," Lopez added. "So, you keep piling stuff on it and it starts to deteriorate the song. Tracks like that you leave small."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

James Bond Theme Songs

James Bond Theme SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the 007 theme songs?

Hawksley Workman

Hawksley WorkmanSongwriter Interviews

One of Canada's most popular and eclectic performers, Hawksley tells stories about his oldest songs, his plentiful side projects, and the ways that he keeps his songwriting fresh.

Dave Pirner of Soul Asylum

Dave Pirner of Soul AsylumSongwriter Interviews

Dave explains how the video appropriated the meaning of "Runaway Train," and what he thought of getting parodied by Weird Al.

Tom Keifer of Cinderella

Tom Keifer of CinderellaSongwriter Interviews

Tom talks about the evolution of Cinderella's songs through their first three albums, and how he writes as a solo artist.

John Kay of Steppenwolf

John Kay of SteppenwolfSongwriter Interviews

Steppenwolf frontman John Kay talks about "Magic Carpet Ride," "Born To Be Wild," and what he values more than awards and accolades.

Brenda Russell

Brenda RussellSongwriter Interviews

Brenda talks about the inspiration that drove her to write hit songs like "Get Here" and "Piano in the Dark," and why a lack of formal music training can be a songwriter's best asset.