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

 By Arden Lambert

November 28, 2019
Last Edited November 4, 2021 7:07 pm


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.


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