I Cheat The Hangman by The Doobie Brothers

Album: Stampede (1975)

Charted: 60

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Songfacts®:

Doobies guitarist Patrick Simmons wrote and sang lead on this song, a poetic tale of a man who has cheated death. Said Simmons: "I think the piece may have been inspired by An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge [by author Ambrose Bierce]. It has the feel of an old west ghost town. In fact, its about a ghost who doesn't realize he's dead returning to his home after the Civil War."
The strings-in-the-wild fadeout was inspired by the Russian poet Modest Mussorgsky's Night On The Bald Mountain. >>>
Suggestion credit:
Charles - Charlotte, NC, for above 2
The Stampede album was a turning point for the band, their last before lead singer Tom Johnston had to leave due to health problems. The Michael McDonald era began with their next album, Takin' It To The Streets.

Comments: 13

Scotz from TennesseeAs great as this song is, and as much as I've always loved it, one little thing has always bothered me about the recording: in the crossfade between the strings and the jazzy endpiece, I've always heard that the two segments are not in tune with each other! It's just enough of a pitch difference to make my ears cringe...
Paulie from Holland, MiA great song, Simmons vocals are underrated. Fantastic arrangement an eerie sound, keeps me wanting to hear it in a movie soundtrack.
Toddster from Altamonte Springs FlHey Steely Dad - I wouldn't even consider arguing with you. I'd be wrong! Clearly their masterpiece, like nothing else. Sure, it's the Doobs but there's gotta be a whole lot of producer Ted Templeman here too. To bring in all those instruments and components and arrange them like that is pure genius. So much great percussion too. Love it to death. Been considering which song in my huge collection will get played first on my new mega home sound system and I think this will be it. Looking fwd to blowing the kids outta the water!
Steely Dad from Vera City, UsaThe Doobie Brothers' Magnum Opus...You can argue with me, but you will, of course, be wrong.
Gbeees from Nyc, NyIt’s worth buying this album for this one song. And the song is a masterpiece, equal at least to a painting by Picasso. And remember, the singer, Pat Simmons, will go on to be ridiculed in years later by Rolling Stone. What do rock
critics know anyway?
Ingrid Brenner from Myerstown, Pa.Been a long time since I used to play it to death, along with the rest of the album. After all these years, I am struck by the brilliance of it, and can't stop hearing it over and over again.
Has it been used in a movie? If not, it, or parts of it, should be.

Fantastic band and an over the top song!!!
Manuel Olivas from Ft Worth TexasOne of those moments, 1975 where you are on a two lane highway on a motorcycle, the rear tire blows out. An eighteen wheeler is approaching the opposite way maybe 200 yards from you. The bike will only go left. So had this happened 4 seconds later it would have been bad. I cheated the hangman that day. The Doobies were and are a big part of my life. The documentary on their career is refreshing. Not only great musicians but great people who help others. Both lineups are great. Living on the fault line my favorite album. Like the horns on cheat the hangman.
Scott from Reading OhioThis IS the Doobies best constructed song in my opinion. An absolute masterpiece! Would love to hear it live with a full orchestra bc it has a lot of production.
Wise12 from UsaThat song is pure genius. To take a folkish song and end it in a jazz riff is fusion at its finest. I remember hearing this in a dorm years ago and thinking those boys are serious.....
Bear from Atlanta Gadosen't get any better than the doobies, grew up with their music.at 68 yrs old still a blessing they have been, will play the hangman at my funeral. keep on Brothers
Eric from Tuscaloosa, AlThe man who inspired the song is actually my biological great-great-great-great- grandfather!
I couldn’t believe it bc I love the doobie brothers.
It is awesome song and means a lot more to me than anyone else in the world!
Dave from Vancouver, WaI heard this song while falling asleep in about 1980. It took me years to figure out the title and that it was the Doobie's. I have seen them in concert several times but they do this song. Maybe it's to hard to get the right background music.
Rick from Seattle, WaA great song, magnificent. Not a hit, but one of Simmons finest!

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