Hangman Jury
Encyclopedia
"Hangman Jury" is a song by American hard rock
band Aerosmith
. It was released as a promotional single in 1987 on the album Permanent Vacation
. It was written by lead singer Steven Tyler
, guitarist Joe Perry
, and outside collaborator Jim Vallance
.
. The chant it was based on was the refrain, "whoa boy, dontcha line the track-a-lack-a", which is often called "Linin' Track" or "Line 'Em". A similar chant was used in "Poor Boy Boogie" by Mac Davis. Joe Perry added the acoustic guitar, and Tyler re-worked the song, building it around the refrain, adding original verses of his own. Tyler and Perry had the song mostly completed when they worked with Vallance on the song in the spring of 1987.
Tyler received permission from Taj Mahal to use the refrain (thinking he wrote it), however he did not receive permission from Lead Belly. Tyler felt that the song was a classic American chant dating back to the days of slavery
and that it was in the public domain, meaning nobody actually owned it. However, after Lead Belly recorded it, he claimed ownership of the song. Subsequently, Lead Belly's estate sued
Aerosmith about a year after "Hangman Jury" was released.
chart in 1987, and stayed on that chart for 12 weeks.
. Tyler and Perry performed the acoustic portion of the song sitting down at the end of the catwalk, before going into "Seasons of Wither
". In concert, Tyler often substitutes the line, "I'd stand on the rock that Moses done stood" for the line "I'd stand on the rock Joe Perry done stood".
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
band Aerosmith
Aerosmith
Aerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "The Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many...
. It was released as a promotional single in 1987 on the album Permanent Vacation
Permanent Vacation (album)
Permanent Vacation is the ninth studio album by American rock band Aerosmith, released in August 1987 by Geffen Records.The album marks a turning point in the band's career. It is their first album to employ professional songwriters, instead of featuring material solely composed by members of the...
. It was written by lead singer Steven Tyler
Steven Tyler
Steven Tyler is an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, best known as the frontman and lead singer of the Boston-based rock band Aerosmith, in which he also plays the harmonica, and occasional piano and percussion. He is known as the "Demon of Screamin'", due to his high screams...
, guitarist Joe Perry
Joe Perry (musician)
Anthony Joseph "Joe" Perry is the lead guitarist, backing and occasional lead vocalist, and contributing songwriter for the rock band Aerosmith. He is influenced by many rock artists especially The Rolling Stones and The Beatles...
, and outside collaborator Jim Vallance
Jim Vallance
James Douglas "Jim" Vallance, OC is a retired Canadian musician, songwriter, arranger and producer based out of Vancouver, British Columbia. He is best known as the former songwriting partner of Canadian international recording artist Bryan Adams...
.
Background
"Hangman Jury" is a re-working of an old blues song, used by numerous artists over the years, particularly Lead Belly and Taj MahalTaj Mahal (musician)
Henry Saint Clair Fredericks , who uses the stage name Taj Mahal, is an American Grammy Award winning blues musician. He incorporates elements of world music into his music...
. The chant it was based on was the refrain, "whoa boy, dontcha line the track-a-lack-a", which is often called "Linin' Track" or "Line 'Em". A similar chant was used in "Poor Boy Boogie" by Mac Davis. Joe Perry added the acoustic guitar, and Tyler re-worked the song, building it around the refrain, adding original verses of his own. Tyler and Perry had the song mostly completed when they worked with Vallance on the song in the spring of 1987.
Tyler received permission from Taj Mahal to use the refrain (thinking he wrote it), however he did not receive permission from Lead Belly. Tyler felt that the song was a classic American chant dating back to the days of slavery
Slavery
Slavery is a system under which people are treated as property to be bought and sold, and are forced to work. Slaves can be held against their will from the time of their capture, purchase or birth, and deprived of the right to leave, to refuse to work, or to demand compensation...
and that it was in the public domain, meaning nobody actually owned it. However, after Lead Belly recorded it, he claimed ownership of the song. Subsequently, Lead Belly's estate sued
Lawsuit
A lawsuit or "suit in law" is a civil action brought in a court of law in which a plaintiff, a party who claims to have incurred loss as a result of a defendant's actions, demands a legal or equitable remedy. The defendant is required to respond to the plaintiff's complaint...
Aerosmith about a year after "Hangman Jury" was released.
Structure
"Hangman Jury" begins with special sound effects, including a creaking rocking chair and the sounds of a summer night, including chirping crickets. The song begins with acoustic guitars, a percussion instrument, and then a harmonica part. Tyler then begins the first verse and the refrain, while the acoustic guitars continue to play. After the first few lines, the song kicks into a hard rock song, with electric guitars, drums, and bass.Chart performance
The song was released to rock radio in 1987. It hit #14 on the Mainstream Rock TracksMainstream Rock Tracks
Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks is a ranking in Billboard magazine of the most-played songs on mainstream rock radio stations, a category that includes stations that play primarily rock music. Modern rock tracks are counted in the Alternative Songs chart.This chart began with the March 21, 1981, issue...
chart in 1987, and stayed on that chart for 12 weeks.
In concert
The band resurrected the song as a setlist staple in the mid 2000s, performing it at several concerts around the world on their 2007 World TourAerosmith World Tour 2007
Aerosmith World Tour 2007 was a concert tour by American hard rock band Aerosmith that saw the band performing outside North America or Japan for the first time in about 8 years , and in some countries, the first time in 14 years...
. Tyler and Perry performed the acoustic portion of the song sitting down at the end of the catwalk, before going into "Seasons of Wither
Seasons of Wither
"Seasons of Wither" is a song by American hard rock band Aerosmith. It was written by lead singer Steven Tyler and is five minutes and thirty-eight seconds in length. It was released in 1974 on the band's second album Get Your Wings.-Song information:...
". In concert, Tyler often substitutes the line, "I'd stand on the rock that Moses done stood" for the line "I'd stand on the rock Joe Perry done stood".