The Trees (4:39)

“The Trees” is a song by progressive rock band Rush from their 1978 album Hemispheres.

While a number of people have inferred a political message in the lyrics of the song, Neil Peart has remarked that the inspiration for penning the song simply came from a humorous comic strip he read which depicted trees arguing like people, and that no political commentary was intended by the lyrics.

The song is featured on many of Rush’s compilation albums and has been a perennial fan favorite of Rush’s live shows. On the live album Exit…Stage Left, the short instrumental Broon’s Bane is performed as a short introduction to this song.

The song is featured in an episode of King of the Hill titled, “The Witches of East Arlen.” In this episode, Bobby Hill acquires tarot cards and joins a coven of warlocks.

Richard Cheese and Lounge Against the Machine covered the song for their 2006 Christmas album Silent Nightclub.

A vault edition of “The Trees” is a playable song in Rock Band 2.