View source for The Hanging Tree (The Hunger Games song)

{{short description|2014 song composed by James Newton Howard}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{good article}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:The Hanging Tree (''The Hunger Games'' song)}}
{{Infobox song
| name          = The Hanging Tree
| cover         = The Hanging Tree (The Hunger Games) Single cover.png
| alt           =
| type          = single
| artist        = [[James Newton Howard]] featuring [[Jennifer Lawrence]]
| album         = [[The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 (soundtrack)|The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1]]
| B-side        = The Mockingjay
| released      = {{Start date|2014|12|09|mf=yes}}
| recorded      =
| studio        =
| genre         = [[Folk music|Folk]]
| length        = 3:38
| label         = [[Republic Records|Republic]]
| writer        = {{hlist|[[Suzanne Collins]]|[[Jeremiah Fraites]]|[[Wesley Schultz]]}}
| producer      = {{hlist|[[James Newton Howard]]}}
| chronology    = ''[[The Hunger Games (film series)|The Hunger Games]]''
| prev_title    = [[Yellow Flicker Beat]]
| prev_year     = 2014
| next_title    = Deep in the Meadow
| next_version  = Baauer remix
| next_year     = 2015
| misc          = {{External music video|header=Audio video|{{YouTube|F3hTW9e20d8|"The Hanging Tree"}}}}
}}
"'''The Hanging Tree'''" is a song by American composer [[James Newton Howard]] featuring vocals from American actress [[Jennifer Lawrence]]. It was written by [[Suzanne Collins]] and composed by Howard, [[Jeremiah Fraites]] and [[Wesley Schultz]] from the band [[the Lumineers]]. The song was released by [[Republic Records]] on December 9, 2014, as the second single from the [[The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 (soundtrack)|soundtrack]] for ''[[The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1]]'' (2014). It was first included in the [[The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 (score)|film's score album]] but was later added to the digital extended edition of the film's soundtrack. "The Hanging Tree" is a [[folk music|folk]] [[ballad]] that features [[string orchestra|orchestral strings]] and a [[choir]].
"The Hanging Tree" received mostly positive reviews from [[music journalism|music critics]] with some praising Lawrence's vocals, its elements of [[Appalachian music]], and its effectiveness as a [[murder ballad]]. Commercially, the song garnered success on charts internationally, peaking atop [[record chart]]s in several markets, including Austria, Hungary, and Germany. It debuted and peaked at number 12 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] and at number 20 in the United Kingdom's [[Official Charts Company]]. "The Hanging Tree" was eventually certified platinum in Canada and Germany as well as double platinum in the United States. To promote the song, a remix by producer [[Gazzo (producer)|Michael Gazzo]] was released.
"The Hanging Tree" was also featured in ''[[The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes]]'' (2023), the film adaptation of the [[The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes|2020 prequel novel]] to ''The Hunger Games''. This version was performed by [[Rachel Zegler]] as Lucy Gray Baird, and was released as the first single from the film's [[The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (soundtrack)|accompanying soundtrack album]].
==Background and release==
[[File:The Lumineers 2013.jpg|thumb|left|"The Hanging Tree" was composed by members of the [[indie folk]] band [[the Lumineers]] (''pictured'').<ref name=billboard/>]]
"The Hanging Tree" was written by [[Suzanne Collins]] and originally appeared in her novel ''[[Mockingjay]]'' (2010); [[Jeremiah Fraites]] and [[Wesley Schultz]] from American [[indie folk]] band [[the Lumineers]] composed the track while production was handled by [[James Newton Howard]].<ref name=billboard>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/6334650/jennifer-lawrences-the-hanging-tree-nabs-top-20-debuts-in-uk|title=Jennifer Lawrence's 'The Hanging Tree' Nabs Top 20 Debuts in U.K., Australia|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]]|date=30 November 2014|access-date=30 November 2014|author=Brandle, Lars}}</ref>
Schultz revealed that director [[Francis Lawrence]] instructed him to create a melody that could be "hummed or sung by one person" or "by a thousand people"; he also informed Schultz not to make the song "overly complicated".<ref name="billboardroots">{{cite magazine |last1=Caulfield |first1=Keith |title=Jennifer Lawrence's 'The Hanging Tree': The Roots of 'The Hunger Games' Hit |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6458119/jennifer-lawrence-hanging-tree-hunger-games-hit |access-date=18 December 2018 |magazine=Billboard |date=30 January 2015}}</ref> To Schultz, the song felt like an innocent [[nursery rhyme]] despite its dark undertones. Schultz and Fraites then submitted a "couple melodies in about a day and a half or two days" during the month of September 2013.<ref name="billboardroots"/> Lawrence later contacted both Schultz and Fraites via text message that the melody was chosen for the film, saying, "It worked out great in the movie. We just shot the scene. [Jennifer] was really nervous but it went great."<ref name="billboardroots"/>
The lead protagonist [[Katniss Everdeen]] performs the song in the film, which is also heard over the closing credits. [[Jennifer Lawrence]] revealed on ''[[Late Night with David Letterman]]'' that she was anxious about singing the song in the film, citing her fear of "singing in front of other people" as her reason; she also disclosed that she cried on set when filming the scene.<ref name="billboardletterman"/> According to Francis, Jennifer Lawrence suggested that New Zealand singer [[Lorde]] could instead provide vocals and she could [[lip sync]]; Francis rejected this idea.<ref name="billboardletterman">{{cite magazine |last1=Lynch |first1=Joe |title=Watch Jennifer Lawrence Reveal Her Terrible Singing Voice on 'Letterman' |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/6319492/jennifer-lawrence-terrible-singing-voice-letterman |access-date=19 December 2018 |magazine=Billboard |date=13 November 2014}}</ref><ref name="theindependent">{{cite news |last1=Dunham |first1=Jess |title=Mockingjay Part 1: Jennifer Lawrence wins first UK Top 20 single with Hunger Games anthem |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/mockingjay-part-1-jennifer-lawrence-wins-first-uk-top-20-single-with-hunger-games-anthem-9895107.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/mockingjay-part-1-jennifer-lawrence-wins-first-uk-top-20-single-with-hunger-games-anthem-9895107.html |archive-date=18 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=21 December 2018 |work=The Independent |date=1 December 2014}}</ref> In preparation, Francis sent Jennifer Lawrence to a vocal coach, in an effort to provide the actress with confidence;<ref name="rollingstone"/> she recorded the scene in front of 150 crew members.<ref name="theindependent"/>
"The Hanging Tree" was released as part of the film's score album on November 24, 2014;<ref name="apple">{{cite web |title=The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Pt. 1 (Original Motion Picture Score) by James Newton Howard |url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/hunger-games-mockingjay-pt-1-original-motion-picture/940767575 |website=iTunes / Apple Music |date=24 November 2014 |access-date=19 December 2018}}</ref> it is accompanied by a [[B-side]] titled "The Mockingjay".<ref name=linernotes>{{cite AV media notes|others=James Newton Howard|title=The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1 (Original Motion Picture Score)|year=2014|publisher=[[Republic Records]] / [[Lionsgate Entertainment]]}}</ref> The track does not appear on the original release of the film's [[The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1 (soundtrack)|soundtrack]]. However, due to the success of "The Hanging Tree", it was later added to the digital extended edition of the soundtrack as the 15th track.<ref name="apple"/> On 9 December 2014, "The Hanging Tree" was released as the second single from the soundtrack.<ref name="fmqb">{{cite web|url=http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16691 |title=CHR – Available For Airplay|work=[[FMQB]]|access-date=5 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109103315/http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16691|archive-date=9 January 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Gazzo (producer)|Michael Gazzo]] released a remix of the song—titled "The Hanging Tree" (Rebel remix)—on 15 December 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fuse.tv/2014/12/jennifer-lawrence-hanging-tree-pop-radio-remix-edit |title=Jennifer Lawrence's "The Hanging Tree" Got a Pop Radio Remix |website=[[Fuse (TV channel)]] |date=7 December 2014 |access-date=5 December 2014}}</ref> In an interview with [[Yahoo! Music]], Gazzo commented that despite the track's dark tonality, he envisioned the song "uplifting an entire group of people to rise up. To unite."<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Jue |first1=Teresa |title=Here's the inevitable dance remix to 'Mockingjay's' 'Hanging Tree' |url=https://ew.com/article/2014/12/18/hanging-tree-remix/ |access-date=20 December 2018 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=18 December 2014}}</ref>
A new version of "The Hanging Tree" featuring vocals from American actress [[Rachel Zegler]] opened the first trailer to ''[[The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes]]'', the film adaptation of the prequel to the ''[[The Hunger Games]]'', in September 2023.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/movies/hunger-games-the-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-trailer-breakdown-francis-lawrence/|title=''Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes'' director breaks down ''Hunger Games'' Easter eggs in new trailer|last=Wang|first=Jessica|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=20 September 2023|accessdate=13 February 2024}}</ref> The song was released on October 20, 2023, as the first single from [[The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (soundtrack)|the soundtrack album]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Zemler |first=Emily |date=October 20, 2023 |title=Hear Rachel Zegler Perform 'The Hanging Tree' for 'The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/rachel-zegler-the-hanging-tree-the-hunger-games-single-1234858826/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US |access-date=November 5, 2023 |archive-date=November 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231105050153/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/rachel-zegler-the-hanging-tree-the-hunger-games-single-1234858826/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Zegler, playing [[Lucy Gray Baird]], sings the song in the film, which was done live on set.<ref name="Time Songbirds">{{cite magazine|url=https://time.com/6336331/hunger-games-hanging-tree-song-prequel/|title=The Meaning Behind 'The Hanging Tree' Song in ''The Hunger Games'' Prequel|last=Mendez II|first=Moises|date=17 November 2023|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|accessdate=13 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/1450025/rachel-zegler-the-hunger-games-the-ballad-of-songbirds-and-snakes-singing-live-exclusive/|title=All Of Rachel Zegler's Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes Singing Was Done Live On Set [Exclusive]|date=November 19, 2024|work=[[/Film]]|first=BJ|last=Colangelo|access-date=November 28, 2024}}</ref>
==Composition and use in books==
{{multiple image
| image1 = Billie Holiday, Downbeat, New York, N.Y., ca. Feb. 1947 (William P. Gottlieb 04251).jpg
| alt1 = A black and white close-up picture of Billie Holiday singing into a microphone.
| width1 = 180
| image2 = Frederick Douglass as a younger man.jpg
| alt2 = A black and white picture of the Frederick Douglass
| width2 = 165
| footer = Music critics compared "The Hanging Tree" to "[[Strange Fruit]]" by [[Billie Holiday]] (pictured ''left'') (''top'' for mobile phones) and the writings of [[Frederick Douglass]] (pictured ''right'') (''bottom'' for mobile phones).
}}
"The Hanging Tree" is composed in the key of [[A minor]] with a "moderately, somewhat freely" [[tempo]] of 88 beats per minute. Lawrence's vocals span a range of E<sub>3</sub> to A<sub>5</sub> and its [[chord progression]] follows a basic sequence of A5–Am–A<sup>sus</sup>–F/A.<ref>{{cite web |title="The Hanging Tree" from 'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1' Sheet Music in A Minor (transposable) |url=https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0144557&intcmp=Recommended |website=Musicnotes.com |date = 11 December 2014|access-date=18 December 2018}}</ref> It is a [[folk music|folk]] [[ballad]],<ref name="wbur">{{cite news |last1=Mason |first1=Amelia |title=The Hidden Roots Of 'Hunger Games' Hit Song? Murder Ballads, Civil Rights Hymns |url=https://www.wbur.org/artery/2014/12/10/hunger-games-mockingjay |access-date=18 December 2018 |agency=National Public Radio |publisher=WBUR |date=10 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Fresh |first1=Mikey |title=Jennifer Lawrence's Vocals On 'The Hanging Tree' Might Surprise You |url=https://www.vibe.com/2014/11/new-music-actress-jennifer-lawrence-hanging-tree |access-date=18 December 2018 |work=Vibe |date=26 November 2014}}</ref> accompanied with [[string orchestra|orchestral strings]] and a [[choir]].<ref name="rollingstone">{{cite magazine |last1=Grow |first1=Kory |title=Hear Jennifer Lawrence's Haunting 'Hunger Games' Ballad |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/hear-jennifer-lawrences-haunting-hunger-games-ballad-174527/ |access-date=18 December 2018 |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=21 November 2014}}</ref><ref name="THR dance"/> Chris Payne of ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' called it a "minimal folk sing-a-long".<ref name="THR dance">{{cite news |last1=Payne |first1=Chris |title=Hear the Dance Remix of Jennifer Lawrence's 'Hunger Games' Song 'The Hanging Tree' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/earshot/jennifer-lawrence-hunger-games-song-759489 |access-date=19 December 2018 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=19 December 2014}}</ref>
[[WBUR-FM|WBUR]] noted that the song's themes represent the tropes of [[Appalachian music]], which commonly used [[murder ballad|murder]] themes in their lyrics. "The Hanging Tree" received comparisons to other songs such as "[[Tom Dooley (song)|Tom Dooley]]",<ref name="washpost">{{cite news |last1=Merry |first1=Stephanie |title=Jennifer Lawrence: A reluctant pop star hits the charts with 'The Hanging Tree' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2014/12/01/jennifer-lawrence-a-reluctant-pop-star-hits-the-charts-with-the-hanging-tree/ |access-date=19 December 2018 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=1 December 2014}}</ref> [[Billie Holiday]]'s 1939 ballad "[[Strange Fruit]]" (which also includes references to hanging and trees),<ref name="wbur"/> and the [[civil rights movement|civil rights]] [[protest song]] "[[We Shall Overcome]]"<ref name="wbur"/> as well as a passage from [[Frederick Douglass]]'s memoir ''[[My Bondage and My Freedom]]'' (1855) about African-American [[spiritual (music)|spiritual]]s.<ref name="wbur"/> In the film, Lawrence performs the song [[a cappella]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hasty |first1=Katie |title=Jennifer Lawrence cried the day she shot her singing scene in 'Mockingjay' |url=https://uproxx.com/hitfix/jennifer-lawrence-cried-the-day-she-shot-her-singing-scene-for-mockingjay/ |access-date=19 December 2018 |work=Uproxx |date=12 November 2014}}</ref> Zegler's version is slower and features a guitar, more in the style of a [[lullaby]].<ref name="Slashfilm"/>
In the novel's context, it is a song that Katniss learned from her father, and is used as a [[battle cry]].<ref name=ew>{{cite news|first=C. Molly|last=Smith|title=Hear Jennifer Lawrence sing 'The Hanging Tree' in 'Mockingjay'|date=21 November 2014|publisher =[[Entertainment Weekly]]|url=http://insidemovies.ew.com/2014/11/21/jennifer-lawrence-hanging-tree-song-mockingjay/|access-date=31 December 2014}}</ref><ref name="CBS News">{{cite news|title=Jennifer Lawrence's "The Hanging Tree" hits the Billboard chart|date=4 December 2014| publisher=[[CBS News]]|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/jennifer-lawrences-the-hanging-tree-hits-the-billboard-chart/| access-date=31 December 2014}}</ref> Katniss's mother prohibited the use of the song in her home after hearing Katniss and her sister Primrose chant the song while making necklaces.<ref name="rollingstone"/> [[Peeta Mellark]], Katniss's love interest, associates "The Hanging Tree" with her father; Peeta heard her father sing the song once when he traded goods at Peeta's parents' bakery.<ref name="vulture"/>
According to [[Haymitch Abernathy]], the song was the first memory Peeta associated with Katniss that did not trigger a "mental breakdown" after the Capitol propagandized him.<ref name="vulture">{{cite news |last1=Weber |first1=Lindsay |title=What Is the Origin of Mockingjay's Haunting Song, 'The Hanging Tree'? |url=https://www.vulture.com/2014/11/mockingjay-song-hanging-tree-jennifer-lawrence-explainer.html |access-date=19 December 2018 |work=Vulture |date=24 November 2014}}</ref> After realizing this, Katniss uses "The Hanging Tree" as a remedy for Peeta's "Capitol-implanted hatred". She reminds herself of the song once more after Peeta tells her to kill him, in an effort to prevent himself from harming members of their rescue team due to how the Capitol "reprogrammed" him.<ref name="vulture"/> In the adaption, however, [[Plutarch Heavensbee]] uses the film of Katniss singing as anti-Capitol propaganda and changes the lyrics from "necklace of rope" to "necklace of hope" to reduce some of the macabre undertones in the original song. Plutarch then uses the song as a rebel anthem.<ref name="wbur"/>
In the [[prequel]] novel ''[[The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes]]'' (2020), the song is revealed to have been penned by [[Lucy Gray Baird]], the first Hunger Games victor from District 12.<ref name="ballads">{{cite news |last1=Perez |first1=Lexy |title='The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes': The Biggest Questions Answered in the 'Hunger Games' Prequel |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/ballad-songbirds-snakes-biggest-hunger-games-questions-answered-prequel-1295406 |access-date=30 August 2020 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=23 May 2020}}</ref> According to Zegler, who plays Lucy Gray, the character is "a performer forced to fight" in contrast to Katniss, "a fighter forced to perform". Lucy Gray witnesses the execution of Arlo Chance at a hanging tree after he is accused of killing two Peacekeepers and a coal mine boss. His lover is arrested for protesting his innocence.<ref name="Time Songbirds"/><ref name="Slashfilm"/>
[[Coriolanus Snow]] hears Lucy Gray singing "The Hanging Tree" with a guitar as they reunite in a field in District 12.<ref name="Time Songbirds"/> Their romance mirrors the song, as they meet up at the hanging tree to flee Panem. Lucy Gray is aware Snow is responsible for two deaths but runs away from him after realizing he is responsible for a third. This parallels the description of Chance's execution: "they strung up a man they say murdered three". She sings the song as she runs, leading mockingjays to repeat it.<ref name="Slashfilm">{{cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/1453307/the-ballad-of-songbirds-snakes-secret-meaning-hanging-tree/|title=The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes Unlocks The Secret Meaning Of 'The Hanging Tree'|work=/Film|last=Meenan|first=Devin|date=November 25, 2023|accessdate=February 13, 2024}}</ref>
==Reception and promotion==
[[File:Jennifer Lawrence at the 83rd Academy Awards crop.jpg|thumb|182px|With "The Hanging Tree", Jennifer Lawrence (''pictured'') became one of 13 [[Academy Award]] recipients to chart on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].]]
"The Hanging Tree" received positive reviews from [[music journalism|music critics]], with several critics complimenting its effectiveness as a [[murder ballad]]. Jeff Baker, writing for ''[[OregonLive.com]]'' called the song the best part of the film. Baker complimented Lawrence for turning the track into a "murder ballad that calls back to her [[Kentucky]] roots".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Baker |first1=Jeff |title='The Hunger Games: Mockingjay -- Part 1' review: Jennifer Lawrence, frustrated and pouty, is trapped in a bad movie |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/movies/2014/11/the_hunger_games_mockingjay_--.html |access-date=19 December 2018 |publisher=OregonLive.com |date=20 November 2014}}</ref> ''[[Stereogum]]'' writer Gabriella Tully Claymore called it a "creepy-as-hell take on classic [[Americana (music)|Americana]] murder ballads".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tully Claymore |first1=Gabriela |title=Jennifer Lawrence's Hunger Games Song Has Gone Platinum |url=https://www.stereogum.com/1733865/jennifer-lawrences-hunger-games-song-has-gone-platinum/news/ |access-date=19 December 2018 |work=Stereogum |date=2 February 2015}}</ref> Stephanie Merry from ''[[The Washington Post]]'' praised Lawrence's vocal delivery, commenting that her "raspy voice [matches] the dark narrative and Appalachian style of the music".<ref name="washpost"/>
"The Hanging Tree" debuted at number 12 on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100 for the week of 13 December 2014 and debuted outside the 50 position (2.1 million U.S. streams) on [[Streaming Songs]], charting at number two (200,000 downloads sold) on [[Digital Songs]] and received eight spins on U.S. radio. "The Hanging Tree" became the highest-charting song from [[The Hunger Games (film series)|''The Hunger Games'' franchise]] on the chart, surpassing "[[Eyes Open (song)|Eyes Open]]" by [[Taylor Swift]], which peaked at number 19.<ref name="HangingTreeBillboard">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6334896/jennifer-lawrence-hot-100-hanging-tree-hunger-games-mockingjay |title=Jennifer Lawrence Debuts on Hot 100: 'The Hanging Tree' Bows at No. 12 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=7 December 2014 |access-date=3 December 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230051737/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6334896/jennifer-lawrence-hot-100-hanging-tree-hunger-games-mockingjay |archive-date=30 December 2014  }}</ref> Lawrence became one of 13 [[Academy Award]]-winning recipients to chart on the Hot 100;<ref name="HangingTreeBillboard"/> the last female Academy Award winner to achieve this feat was [[Cher]] with "[[Believe (Cher song)|Believe]]" (1998).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Caulfield |first1=Keith |title=Jennifer Lawrence Debuts on Billboard Hot 100: 'The Hanging Tree' Bows at No. 12 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jennifer-lawrence-hanging-tree-debuts-753709 |access-date=19 December 2018 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=3 December 2014}}</ref> The song peaked at number one in Austria, Germany<ref>{{cite news|title=Austriancharts.at – James Newton Howard feat. Jennifer Lawrence – The Hanging Tree|url=http://www.austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=James+Newton+Howard+feat.+Jennifer+Lawrence&titel=The+Hanging+Tree&cat=s|access-date=2 March 2018|publisher=[[Ö3 Austria Top 40]]|language=de|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630140049/http://www.austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=James+Newton+Howard+feat.+Jennifer+Lawrence&titel=The+Hanging+Tree&cat=s|archive-date=30 June 2017}}</ref> and Hungary;<ref>{{cite news|title=Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ|url=http://zene.slagerlistak.hu/single-track-top-40-lista/2014/48|access-date=2 March 2018|publisher=[[Association of Hungarian Record Companies|Single (track) Top 40 lista]]|language=hu|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115151513/http://zene.slagerlistak.hu/single-track-top-40-lista/2014/48|archive-date=15 November 2017}}</ref> it peaked in the top five in Australia.<ref>{{cite news|title=Australian-charts.com – James Newton Howard feat. Jennifer Lawrence – The Hanging Tree|url=http://www.australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=James+Newton+Howard+feat.+Jennifer+Lawrence&titel=The+Hanging+Tree&cat=s|access-date=2 March 2018|publisher=[[ARIA Charts|ARIA Top 50 Singles]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160830100025/http://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=James+Newton+Howard+feat%2E+Jennifer+Lawrence&titel=The+Hanging+Tree&cat=s|archive-date=30 August 2016}}</ref> It was certified platinum by [[Music Canada]] (MC) and double platinum by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA).<ref>{{Cite certification|region=Canada|artist=James Newton Howard|title=The Hanging Tree|type=single|access-date=13 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite certification|region=United States|artist=James Newton Howard|title=The Hanging Tree|type=single|access-date=13 June 2017}}</ref>
"The Hanging Tree" was performed live for the first time at "Hollywood in Vienna", a gala honoring excellence in music.<ref name="mtvconcert"/> James Newton Howard performed with [[Madita|Edita Malovčić]] as a substitute for Lawrence;<ref name="mtvconcert">{{cite news |last1=Wickman |first1=Kase |title='Hunger Games': See The Haunting First Live Performance of 'Hanging Tree' |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2359530/hanging-tree-vienna-orchestra-performance/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151024151827/http://www.mtv.com/news/2359530/hanging-tree-vienna-orchestra-performance/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 October 2015 |access-date=19 December 2018 |publisher=MTV |date=23 October 2014}}</ref> it was conducted by [[Keith Lockhart]] of the [[Boston Pops Orchestra]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Zalben |first1=Alex |title='Hunger Games' Fans, Get Ready To Hear 'Hanging Tree' Live [Exclusive] |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2271786/hunger-games-hanging-tree-live/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150916100010/http://www.mtv.com/news/2271786/hunger-games-hanging-tree-live/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 September 2015 |access-date=19 December 2018 |publisher=MTV |date=15 September 2015}}</ref> Howard was reportedly in tears after the performance and rose to his feet to give a standing ovation.<ref>{{cite news |title=BMI Composer James Newton Howard Honored With Max Steiner Film Music Achievement Award |url=https://www.bmi.com/news/entry/bmi_composer_james_newton_howard_honored_with_max_steiner_film_music_achiev |access-date=19 December 2018 |agency=Broadcast Music, Inc. |date=20 October 2015}}</ref> To promote the song, Howard embarked on a European tour called "3 Decades of Music for Hollywood"<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gealive.com/project/james-newton-howard-3-decades-of-music-for-hollywood/|title=James Newton Howard : GEALive|website=www.gealive.com|language=en-US|access-date=4 December 2017|archive-date=4 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204222942/http://www.gealive.com/project/james-newton-howard-3-decades-of-music-for-hollywood/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and held a contest in search for a female vocalist, one for each tour date, that would sing Lawrence's verses.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Van Rossem |first1=Aline |title=Blanche sings "The Hanging Tree" with composer James Newton Howard on "Van Gils en Gasten" |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2017/09/18/blanche-sings-hanging-tree-composer-james-newton-howard-van-gils-en-gasten/ |access-date=19 December 2018 |publisher=Wikibloggs |date=18 September 2017}}</ref>
== Track listing ==
{{Track listing
| headline = CD single<ref name="CD">{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.de/Hanging-2-Track-James-Newton-Howard/dp/B00QMXMDJA |title=The Hanging Tree (2-Track) |website=[[Amazon.com|Amazon.de]] |access-date=18 January 2015 |language=de}}</ref>
| title1 = The Hanging Tree
| title2 = The Mockingjay
| length1 = 3:38
| length2 = 2:40
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Digital download/streaming – Remix<ref>{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/hanging-tree-rebel-remix-from/id956328804 |title=The Hanging Tree (Rebel Remix) [From "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Pt. 1"] [feat. Jennifer Lawrence] - Single by James Newton Howard |publisher=[[Apple Inc.|Apple]] |work=[[iTunes Store]] |access-date=13 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220233005/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/hanging-tree-rebel-remix-from/id956328804 |archive-date=20 February 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| title1 = The Hanging Tree
| note1 = Rebel remix
| length1 = 2:27
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Digital download/streaming<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-hanging-tree-from-the-hunger-games-the/1711743766 |title=The Hanging Tree (from The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes) - Single by Rachel Zegler |publisher=[[Apple Music]]|access-date=November 28, 2024}}</ref>
| title1 = The Hanging Tree
| note1 = from ''The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes''
| length1 = 2:23
}}
==Personnel==
;Original version
Credits adapted from the liner notes of ''The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 (Original Motion Picture Score)''.<ref name=linernotes/>
*[[Jennifer Lawrence]] – [[vocalist|vocals]]
*[[Suzanne Collins]] – [[songwriter]]
*[[James Newton Howard]] – [[record producer|producer]]
*[[Wesley Schultz]] – composer
*[[Jeremiah Fraites]] – composer
;Lucy Gray Baird version
Credits adapted from the liner notes of ''The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (Music From & Inspired By)''.<ref>{{cite AV media notes|others=Dave Cobb|title=The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (Music From & Inspired By)|year=2023|publisher=[[Geffen Records]]}}</ref>
*[[Rachel Zegler]] – vocals
*[[Dave Cobb]] – producer
*[[Molly Tuttle]] – guitar
==Charts==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=== Weekly charts ===
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Weekly chart performance for "The Hanging Tree" by James Newton Howard
!scope="col"|Chart (2014–15)
!scope="col"|Peak<br/>position
|-
{{singlechart|Australia|5|artist=James Newton Howard feat. Jennifer Lawrence|song=The Hanging Tree|access-date=6 December 2014|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{singlechart|Austria|1|artist=James Newton Howard feat. Jennifer Lawrence|song=The Hanging Tree|access-date=4 December 2014|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{singlechart|Flanders|8|artist=James Newton Howard feat. Jennifer Lawrence|song=The Hanging Tree|access-date=1 December 2014|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{singlechart|Wallonia|18|artist=James Newton Howard feat. Jennifer Lawrence|song=The Hanging Tree|access-date=1 December 2014|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{singlechart|Billboardcanadianhot100|14|artist=James Newton Howard|access-date=4 December 2014|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{singlechart|Billboardcanadachrtop40|21|artist=James Newton Howard|access-date=17 March 2015|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{singlechart|Billboardcanadahotac|41|artist=James Newton Howard|access-date=17 March 2015|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{singlechart|Czechdigital|25|year=2014|week=50|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{singlechart|France|23|artist=James Newton Howard feat. Jennifer Lawrence|song=The Hanging Tree|access-date=6 December 2014|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{singlechart|Germany|1|artist=James Newton Howard feat. Jennifer Lawrence|song=The Hanging Tree|songid=1359182|access-date=28 January 2020|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{singlechart|Hungarytop10|1|year=2014|week=48|artist=James Newton Howard feat. Jennifer Lawrence|song=The Hanging Tree|access-date=3 December 2014|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{singlechart|Ireland2|20|artist=Jennifer Lawrence|song=The Hanging Tree|access-date=28 January 2020|rowheader=true}}
|-
! scope="row"| Italy ([[Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana|FIMI]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fimi.it/top-of-the-music/classifiche.kl#/charts/3/2014/48|title=Singoli – Classifica settimanale WK 48 (dal 24.11.2014 al 30.11.2014)|publisher=[[Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana]]|language=Italian|access-date=2 November 2021}}</ref>
| align=center|29
|-
{{singlechart|Dutch100|36|artist=James Newton Howard feat. Jennifer Lawrence|song=The Hanging Tree|access-date=1 December 2014|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{singlechart|New Zealand|9|artist=James Newton Howard feat. Jennifer Lawrence|song=The Hanging Tree|access-date=4 December 2014|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{singlechart|Norway|30|artist=James Newton Howard feat. Jennifer Lawrence|song=The Hanging Tree|access-date=6 December 2014|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{singlechart|Slovakdigital|10|year=2014|week=50|access-date=16 December 2014|rowheader=true}}
|-
! scope="row"| Slovenia ([[SloTop50]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slotop50.si/Glasbene-lestvice/Tedenske-lestvice/?year=2015&week=15|title=SloTop50 – Slovenian official singles chart|publisher=slotop50.si|access-date=26 February 2018|archive-date=2 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402154510/https://www.slotop50.si/Glasbene-lestvice/Tedenske-lestvice/?year=2015&week=15|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| align=center|32
|-
{{singlechart|Spain|39|artist=James Newton Howard feat. Jennifer Lawrence|song=The Hanging Tree|access-date=9 December 2014|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{singlechart|Sweden|29|artist=James Newton Howard feat. Jennifer Lawrence|song=The Hanging Tree|access-date=1 December 2014|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{singlechart|Switzerland|4|artist=James Newton Howard feat. Jennifer Lawrence|song=The Hanging Tree|access-date=1 December 2014|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{singlechart|UK|14|date=20141207|rowheader=true|access-date=18 December 2018}}
|-
{{singlechart|Billboardhot100|12|artist=James Newton Howard|access-date=4 December 2014|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{singlechart|Billboardadultcontemporary|30|artist=James Newton Howard|access-date=26 January 2015|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{singlechart|Billboardadultpopsongs|14|artist=James Newton Howard|access-date=4 December 2014|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{singlechart|Billboarddanceairplay|19|artist=James Newton Howard|access-date=18 January 2015|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{singlechart|Billboardpopsongs|10|artist=James Newton Howard|access-date=4 December 2014|rowheader=true}}
|}
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Weekly chart performance for "The Hanging Tree" by Rachel Zegler
!scope="col"|Chart (2023)
!scope="col"|Peak<br/>position
|-
! scope="row"| New Zealand Hot Singles ([[RMNZ]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/hot-singles/2023-11-24|title=NZ Hot Singles Chart|publisher=[[Recorded Music NZ]]|date=November 27, 2023|access-date=November 28, 2024|archive-date=November 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231125035128/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/hotsingles?chart=5715|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 19
|}
{{col-2}}
===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Year-end chart performance for "The Hanging Tree"
!scope="col"| Chart (2014)
!scope="col"| Position
|-
! scope="row"| Hungary (Single Top 40)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zene.slagerlistak.hu/archivum/eves-osszesitett-listak/single_db/2014|title=Single Top 100 - eladási darabszám alapján - 2014|access-date=26 April 2020|publisher=[[Mahasz]]}}</ref>
| 74
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
!scope="col"| Chart (2015)
!scope="col"| Position
|-
! scope="row"| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://austriancharts.at/year.asp?cat=s&id=2015 |title=Jahreshitparaden Singles 2015 |publisher=Ö3 Austria Top 40 |access-date=2 May 2019 |language=de}}</ref>
| 22
|-
! scope="row"| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Canadian Hot 100 Year End 2015|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2015/canadian-hot-100|magazine=Billboard|date=2 January 2013|access-date=9 December 2015}}</ref>
|align="center"|83
|-
! scope="row"| Germany (Official German Charts)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-2015 |title=Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts|language=de |work=[[GfK Entertainment]] |publisher=offiziellecharts.de |access-date=6 January 2016}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|29
|-
! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Hot 100: Year End 2015|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2015/hot-100-songs|magazine=Billboard|date=2 January 2013|publisher=billboard.com|access-date=23 December 2015}}</ref>
|style="text-align:center;"|78
|-
|}
{{col-end}}
==Certifications==
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|relyear=2014|certyear=2015|award=Gold|access-date=10 February 2015}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Austria|type=single|relyear=2014|certyear=2015|artist=James Newton Howard|title=The Hanging Tree|award=Gold|access-date=22 March 2015}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=single|relyear=2014|certyear=2015|award=Platinum|artist=James Newton Howard|title=The Hanging Tree|access-date=20 March 2015|digital=true}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=single|relyear=2014|certyear=2016|certmonth=2|award=Gold|artist=James Newton Howard|title=The Hanging Tree|id=4939|access-date=26 February 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|type=single|relyear=2014|relmonth=12|certyear=2018|award=Platinum|artist=James Newton Howard feat. Jennifer Lawrence|title=The Hanging Tree|access-date=28 April 2018}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|type=single|relyear=2014|certyear=2015|award=Platinum|artist=James Newton Howard|title=The Hanging Tree|source=artist|access-date=26 February 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|relyear=2014|relmonth=11|certyear=2020|award=Silver|artist=James Newton Howard/Lawrence|title=The Hanging Tree|id=16837-5439-1|access-date=13 November 2020}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|award=Platinum|number=2|title=The Hanging Tree feat. Jennifer Lawrence|artist=James Newton Howard|type=single|relyear=2014|salesamount=1,100,000|salesref=<ref name="billboardroots"/>}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}
==Release history==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|-
!scope="col"| Region
!scope="col"| Date
!scope="col"| Format
!scope="col"| Label
!scope="col"| Ref.
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2"| United States
| December 9, 2014
| [[Contemporary hit radio]]
| rowspan="3"| [[Republic Records|Republic]]
| align="center"| <ref name="fmqb"/>
|-
| December 15, 2014
| [[Hot adult contemporary]] radio
| align="center"| <ref name="AC">{{cite web|url=http://headlineplanet.com/home/2014/12/15/hanging-tree-added-hot-ac-meghan-trainor-selena-gomez-follow/|title="The Hanging Tree" is Most-Added at Hot AC; Meghan Trainor, Selena Gomez Follow|date=16 December 2014|publisher=headlineplanet.com|access-date=29 December 2014}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| [[German-speaking Europe]]
| December 19, 2014
| [[CD single|CD]]
| align="center"| <ref name="CD"/>
|}
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{The Hunger Games}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hanging Tree, The}}
[[Category:2010 songs]]
[[Category:2014 songs]]
[[Category:2014 singles]]
[[Category:2023 singles]]
[[Category:The Hunger Games music]]
[[Category:Folk ballads]]
[[Category:American folk songs]]
[[Category:2010s ballads]]
[[Category:Murder ballads]]
[[Category:Songs about trees]]
[[Category:Music based on novels]]
[[Category:The Lumineers]]
[[Category:Number-one singles in Austria]]
[[Category:Number-one singles in Germany]]
[[Category:Number-one singles in Hungary]]