A Thousand Trees

Album: Word Gets Around (1997)
Charted: 22
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song was inspired by a football coach falsely accused of improperly touching the kids in the team and how a false accusation tars others with the same brush. Hence the (metaphorical) lyrics: "It only one tree to make a thousand matches, only takes one match to burn a thousand trees." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Greg - Wrexham, Wales

Comments: 7

  • Rick from LancsBryan from Cwmaman, This song and album influenced me massively, every song on word gets Around is a story. I’ll be honest until I read your comment I wasn’t sure which way it went. The beauty of the song is you don’t know if it’s a wrongful accusation or miscarriage of justice. I guess I know now and it will always change how I listen to it
  • Eddie from Stoke On TrentCould anyone let me know the film that "A Thousand Trees" was part of the soundtrack?
    Many Thanks.
  • Mia from Dunstable, United KingdomI couldn't work out if the original person had abused their position (and the girl) or if it was just about malicious accusations. But, after reading the above comments, I think it's about how, after one person abuses their position of trust, others working with children and vulnerable people find themselves having to be careful about how they talk to, touch (innocently) or help those they work with as every action is open to misinterpretation by a suspicious public. And this suspicious nature can easily lead to wrongful accusations, not necessarily malicious. Like Boy in the Photograph, A Thousand Trees deals with a difficult subject but sounds so beautiful!
  • Karl from Ingatestone, United Kingdomhe got jailed for it, that football manager, i mean where was this! Stereophonics make me hover
  • Madeleine from Caerdydd, United KingdomAmazing song. One of Stereophonic's best.
  • Bryan from Cwmaman, United KingdomWasnt falsely accused mate he did it and got jailed for it.
    Used to live next door to my gran and took me football training too!!
  • Nick from Cambridge, EnglandAmazing song, unusualy with a message you should remember. Normaly "message songs" just talk about specific situations.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Intentionally Atrocious

Intentionally AtrociousSong Writing

A selection of songs made to be terrible - some clearly achieved that goal.

00s Music Quiz 1

00s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

Do you know the girl singer on Eminem's "Stan"? If so, this quiz is for you.

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary Machine

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary MachineSong Writing

Fiona's highly-anticipated third album almost didn't make it. Here's how it finally came together after two years and a leak.

Graham Bonnet (Alcatrazz, Rainbow)

Graham Bonnet (Alcatrazz, Rainbow)Songwriter Interviews

Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai were two of Graham's co-writers for some '80s rock classics.

Grunge Bands Quiz

Grunge Bands QuizMusic Quiz

If the name Citizen Dick means anything to you, there's a chance you'll get some of these right.

John Waite

John WaiteSongwriter Interviews

"Missing You" was a spontaneous outpouring of emotion triggered by a phone call. John tells that story and explains what MTV meant to his career.