The Music of Television Phenomenon 'One Tree Hill'

Staff Writer

     The WB-turned-CW-Network’s hit television show “One Tree Hill” does not just provide addictive story lines and drama surrounding characters you happily welcome into your home each week, the show creates an even bigger force with the music in and behind the show.

Courtesy of OneTreeHillCentral.org

The Cast of “One Tree Hill” – (left to right) Lee Norris, Antwon Tanner, Sophia Bush, Chad Michael Murray, Hilarie Burton, James Lafferty and Bethany Joy Lenz-Galeotti star in "One Tree Hill." The show airs Mondays at 8 p.m. on the CW.

   Right off the bat the show contains musical history. Creator and producer Mark Schwann, formed his idea for “One Tree Hill” from the song of the same title on the album “The Joshua Tree” by the band U2.

   “One Tree Hill,” which began in 2003, stars Chad Michael Murray, James Lafferty, Sophia Bush, Bethany Joy Lenz-Galeotti and Hilarie Burton as the five front-runners. Paul Johanasson, Moira Kelly, Craig Sheffer, Barbara Alyn Woods, Barry Corbin, Daneel Harris, Jackson Brundage, Lee Norris and Antwon Tanner also star as supporting characters.

   The show revolves around half brothers Lucas (Murray) and Nathan (Lafferty) Scott, who are constantly manipulated by their father Dan Scott (Johanasson). Weaving perfectly into the mix are drop-dead gorgeous Brooke Davis (Bush), budding artist Peyton Sawyer (Burton) and "tutor-girl," turned-rock-star, turned-mom Haley James Scott (Lenz-Galeotti).

   Seasons one through four of the show placed the characters in high school and right in the middle of all the drama that comes with it. For season five, to avoid the college slump, Schwann took a creative risk. He jumped four years into the future where the characters are now the adults on the show and in the “real world.”

   Now, mid-way through season five, Lucas writes novels and coaches basketball for the Tree Hill Ravens, Brooke runs her clothing line “Clothes Over Bros,” Peyton manages her own record label, Nathan stays at home after suffering an injury playing professional basketball, and Haley teaches English at the high school. Together, Nathan and Haley have a son, James Lucas Scott (Brundage). For a bit of trivia, the clothing line “Clothes Over Bros” actually exists.  Items from Brooke’s line can be purchased on the line’s official site.

   The show would lose emotion and half of its effect if the presence of music were not so vivid. Three soundtracks have been released to date for the show.  A fourth volume could be in the works.

Courtesy of OneTreeHillCentral.org

Tyler Hilton as Chris Keller – Singer-songwriter Tyler Hilton stars as Chris Keller on “One Tree Hill.” Hilton appeared in seasons two and four of the show, as well as on all three of the show’s soundtracks.

      The show has served as the launching pad for many mainstream and independent artists over the years.  A few of them have even been written into the show as characters.

   In season one, Gavin DeGraw, who got his big break with the theme song “I Don’t Wanna Be,” made an appearance at the local café. Sheryl Crow also made an appearance at the café and witnessed Haley practicing on the piano. Haley’s performance of the Sarah McLachlan song “Elsewhere” sparked an array of performances from Lenz-Galeotti on the show.

   Season two brought Chris Keller to town. Keller, portrayed by singer-songwriter Tyler Hilton, formed a musical bond with Haley and recorded the duet “When the Stars Go Blue.” Almost destroying her marriage, Haley left to go on tour with Keller and country-rock duo The Wreckers, who performed at the local nightclub.  Hilton and The Wreckers made their debuts into music on the show.

   The interesting twist for this show comes when it made the sudden shift to reality.  The tour Haley joined on the show took effect the following week and traveled across the country.  Lenz-Galeotti, Hilton and The Wreckers headlined the tour that was the beginning of the musical phenomenon known as “One Tree Hill.”

   Volume one of the soundtrack covers seasons one and two and features Lenz-Galeotti, Crow, DeGraw, The Wreckers and Hilton as well as Jimmy Eat World, Travis, The Get Up Kids, Rock ‘N’ Roll Soldiers, 22-20s, Story of the Year, Keane, Butch Walker and Trespassers William.

   Volume two, also known as “Friends with Benefits,” covers season three, which Schwann wrote into the show as a charity-awareness album for Peyton’s mother who died of breast cancer.

Courtesy of OneTreeHillCentral.org

The Wreckers – Jessica Harp and Michelle Branch, also known as The Wreckers guest star on “One Tree Hill.” The country-rock duo got their start by appearing on the show and its soundtrack.

   Fall Out Boy, Nada Surf and Jack’s Mannequin made guest appearances throughout the season. The three bands, as well as Feeder, Audioslave, Citizen Cope, Hot Hot Heat, MoZella, Shout Out Louds, Jimmy Eat World, Michelle Feathersone and Strays Don’t Sleep appear on the album. Hilton and DeGraw also recorded songs for the album. Lenz-Galeotti recorded the song “Halo” for the album under her character’s name Haley James Scott.

   The third volume for season four, known as “The Road Mix,” features Dashboard Confessional, The Honorary Title, Kooks, Band of Horses, Jose Gonzalez, Lupe Fiasco, Gym Class Heroes, The Constantines, Calexico/Iron & Wine, Lucero, Songs:Ohia, The Weepies, La Rocca and Mother Love Bone appear on the soundtrack. The Wreckers and Hilton also returned for this album. Lupe Fiasco and Gym Class Heroes made appearances on the show, and Hilton reprised his role as Chris Keller.

   Despite the three soundtracks, several songs have been played on the show but did not make the albums.  Songs by Patty Griffin, Ross Copperman, Howie Day, Butterfly Boucher, Angels & Airwaves, Led Zepellin and many others graced the show.

   No official word says there will be a fourth volume, but with the intense amount of music in season five and the confirmation of a sixth season, the chances are very likely.

   The fifth season introduced Peyton’s first recording artist, Mia Catallano, played by Kate Voegle. Voegle’s music, placed perfectly in the show, can be found on her debut album “Don’t Look Away.”

    Besides the massive talent of Voegle, producers accent the season with impeccable music from artists including The National, Jackson Waters, Kelly Clarkson, Ben Lee, Matt Nathanson, Rilo Kiley, The Bravery, Jet, A Fine Frenzy, Lenny Kravitz, OK Go, Anna Nalick, Lifehouse, INXS and Bruce Springsteen.

    As season five continues, rumors are circulating that Lenz-Galeotti - newly married to the front man of the band Enation, Michael Galeotti - might return to her musical roots on the show.

    One song sums up the entire series. Hilton and Lenz-Galeotti’s cover of Ryan Adams’ “When The Stars Go Blue” served as the shows first major dive into music other than just score music. It is the same song that country singer Tim McGraw released, but one listen to this duet will force you to erase McGraw’s horrendous version from your mind.

    “Where do you go when you're lonely / Where do you go when you're blue / Where do you go when you're lonely / I'll follow you / When the stars go blue,” the pair sings.

    This song reflects the show perfectly. Though recorded in season two, it is a glimpse into the future for season five. Lonely and blue, Brooke and Peyton return home to Tree Hill, N. Car.  After all, “There is only one Tree Hill,” according to Lucas’ mom, Karen Roe (Kelly).

    At the moment, re-runs of the show are airing in various timeslots on the CW. New episodes of the show return at 8 p.m., Mon., April 14. Tune in for a compelling show, but be prepared for some of the most artistic and influential music you will ever hear.

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