Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

John Moreland and the Melancholy of “Hang Me in the Tulsa County Stars”

by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

In this incredibly wild journey that I have been being a writer, John Moreland’s “Hang Me in the Tulsa County Stars” has got to be one of my all-time favorite songs that I have discovered while scouring the Internet for a possible song to write about.

When I first saw this video, I never expected to do the article that you’re reading now. But I think it’s only fitting that this is the final thing I write for the final lingering moments of this latest chapter of my life.

John Moreland Echoes A Heart’s Wishes

Ernest Hemmingway famously said that writers bleed when they write. Writing is incredibly difficult. You not only have to bare out your soul for your craft but you also have to take the level of craftsmanship you put into your work into account. Moreland is a personification of that truth.

John Moreland, John, Moreland, Tulsa
via GQ

The way he narrates his lyrical tapestries is nothing short of raw emotion. It’s simplistic yet it does a good job giving you a good punch in the gut. And the way he just frames that with his impeccable guitar work makes you fall in love with him even more.

The song to me feels mostly like a fever dream of my emotions, with me dab smack in the middle of it all. I think it’s one of the reasons I can give when asked what I like about Country music. The intensity of emotions can sometimes catch me off guard but in a pleasant way. Sometimes you just have to feel the emotion and through this, I understand.

come to Jesus
via CTD

In “Hang Me in the Tulsa County Stars” there seems to be a dialogue in the song, where the singer consoles someone, telling them that they are available whenever they need them but they need to go to explore and find themselves.

I think that’s a good reflecting point for the world and life in general. We have to be sure of who we are, wherever we are in the sky shining. We also have to understand that the lives we live are not easy, and would make us homesick. But I guess, that’s life for you.

I, as well, do not want to come back down to Earth, so see you in the Tulsa sky.

Sharing the love. I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I always do whenever I play it.

Trending

Latest Stories

Jon Pardi, wife Summer, and their two daughters together, before the couple's divorce announcement.

Jon Pardi and His Wife, Summer, Are Divorcing After Nearly Six Years and Two Daughters Together

One of country music’s most grounded couples is calling it quits. Jon Pardi and his wife, Summer, announced their divorce, confirming they’ve decided to part ways after nearly six years ...

Clint Black on stage, before the hospitalization that forced him to cancel his July 3 show.

Clint Black Canceled His July 3 Concert After Being Hospitalized, but He’s Expected to Fully Recover

The good news comes first. Clint Black is going to be just fine. The country icon was forced to cancel his July 3 appearance at Pearl River Resort Casino in ...

An emotional Rhett Akins on the Opry stage, finally getting his membership invitation.

Rhett Akins Finally Got His Grand Ole Opry Invitation After 30 Years and Could Barely Find the Words

A man who has written over 30 No. 1 hits for a living stood on the Grand Ole Opry stage Saturday night and couldn’t think of a single word to ...

Ella Langley performing live, marking "Choosin' Texas" returning to No. 1 for an 11th week and breaking a chart record that stood since 1977.

Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” Is Back at No. 1 for an 11th Week and Broke a Record That Stood Since 1977

They kept knocking her off, and she kept coming back. Drake bumped her. Ariana Grande bumped her. Taylor Swift bumped her. And every single time, “Choosin’ Texas” climbed right back ...

Shania Twain commanding the Wembley stage in the daring look that divided fans.

Shania Twain Wore a Bold Outfit at Wembley and Fans Can’t Agree If It Was Too Much or Perfect

Shania Twain walked onto the Wembley Stadium stage in front of 90,000 people wearing a see-through black lace dress with a white bra and matching shorts underneath, and the internet ...

Miranda Lambert performing "The House That Built Me," the tearjerker that topped the charts back in 2010.

Miranda Lambert’s “The House That Built Me” Hit No. 1 Sixteen Years Ago and It Still Wrecks People

Sixteen years ago, a song that was never supposed to be Miranda Lambert’s gave her the first No. 1 of her career. And every Father’s Day, every homecoming, every time ...

A composite image of Ella Langley and Alan Jackson, tied to her emotional video tribute at his final show.

Ella Langley’s Video Tribute to Alan Jackson at His Farewell Concert Said What Every Young Artist Feels

Every major name in country music showed up to say goodbye to Alan Jackson at Nissan Stadium. But one of the most genuine tributes came from someone who wasn’t even ...

12:00 AMClaude responded: Alan Jackson and George Strait performing together at Alan's final concert, where Strait made a rare appearance and brought his old friend a drink.Alan Jackson and George Strait performing together at Alan's final concert, where Strait made a rare appearance and brought his old friend a drink.

George Strait Made a Rare Appearance at Alan Jackson’s Final Concert and Brought Him a Drink

George Strait doesn’t show up for just anybody. But when Alan Jackson calls last round, the King of Country shows up with a drink in his hand. Strait strolled onto ...

Alan Jackson and Taylor Swift together, after her tribute video got a divided reaction at his Nashville farewell show.

Taylor Swift Got Booed When Her Tribute Video Played at Alan Jackson’s Farewell Concert

It was supposed to be a tribute. The crowd had other plans. Right before Alan Jackson took the stage at his farewell concert at Nissan Stadium on June 27, Grand ...

10:20 PMClaude responded: Alan Jackson on stage during his final concert, taking a bow as he officially steps into retirement after decades in country music.Alan Jackson on stage during his final concert, taking a bow as he officially steps into retirement after decades in country music.

Alan Jackson Played His Final Concert at Nissan Stadium, and Even a Storm Couldn’t Stop Him

The sky opened up over Nashville on Saturday night. Lightning cracked across the horizon, and 50,000 people were told to leave their seats. For about 30 minutes, Alan Jackson’s final ...