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

Glen Ballard

Glen BallardSongwriter Interviews

Glen Ballard talks about co-writing and producing Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill album, and his work with Dave Matthews, Aerosmith and Annie Lennox.

Actors With Hit Songs

Actors With Hit SongsMusic Quiz

Many actors have attempted music, but only a few have managed a hit. Do you know which of these thespians charted?

Tim Butler of The Psychedelic Furs

Tim Butler of The Psychedelic FursSongwriter Interviews

Tim and his brother Richard are the Furs' foundation; Tim explains how they write and tells the story of "Pretty In Pink."

Paul Stanley of Kiss, Soul Station

Paul Stanley of Kiss, Soul StationSongwriter Interviews

Paul Stanley on his soul music project, the Kiss songs with the biggest soul influence, and the non-make-up era of the band.

How The Beatles Crafted Killer Choruses

How The Beatles Crafted Killer ChorusesSong Writing

The author of Help! 100 Songwriting, Recording And Career Tips Used By The Beatles, explains how the group crafted their choruses so effectively.

Female Singers Of The 90s

Female Singers Of The 90sMusic Quiz

The ladies who ruled the '90s in this quiz.