| "Wichita Lineman" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
"Wichita Lineman" single cover |
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| Single by Glen Campbell | ||||
| from the album Wichita Lineman | ||||
| B-side | "Fate of Man" | |||
| Released | October 1968 | |||
| Format | 7" vinyl | |||
| Genre | Country, pop | |||
| Length | 3:05 | |||
| Label | Capitol 2302 | |||
| Writer(s) | Jimmy Webb | |||
| Producer | Al DeLory | |||
| Glen Campbell singles chronology | ||||
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"Wichita Lineman" is a popular song written by Jimmy Webb in 1968, first recorded by Glen Campbell and widely covered by other artists. Campbell's version, which appeared on his 1968 album of the same name, reached #3 on the U.S. pop chart, remaining in the Top 100 for 15 weeks. In addition, the song also topped the American country music chart for two weeks, and the adult contemporary chart for six weeks.[1] It was certified gold by the RIAA in January 1969.[2] In Canada, the single also topped both the RPM national and country singles charts.[3][4] In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" ranked "Wichita Lineman" at #192. It has been referred to as "the first existential country song";[5] Music journalist Stuart Maconie called it "the greatest pop song ever composed";[6] and the BBC referred to it as "one of those rare songs that seems somehow to exist in a world of its own – not just timeless but ultimately outside of modern music".[7]. Wichita Lineman featured in series 12 of BBC Radio 4's Soul Music.[8]
Contents |
The lyrics describe the loneliness that a telephone or electric power lineman feels while he works and his longing for an absent lover.
The phrase "singing in the wire" can refer to the sonic vibration commonly induced by wind blowing across small wires and conductors, making these lines whistle or whine like an aeolian harp. It could also, or even simultaneously, refer to the sounds that a lineman might hear when attaching a telephone earpiece to a long stretch of raw telephone or telegraph line, i.e. without typical line equalisation and filtering.[9] In the recording, a notable feature of the orchestral arrangement is the effort of the violins and synthesizer to mimic these ethereal sounds and morse code, and the lyric, "I can hear you through the whine" further alludes to them. If Webb's intent was to actually mimic Morse code, the musical figure between the verses literally spells the word "aaaah" four times (.- .- .- .- ....)
Jimmy Webb's inspiration for the lyrics came while driving through rural northern Oklahoma when he noticed a solitary lineman atop his pole. Webb then "put himself atop that pole and put that phone in his hand" as he considered what the lineman was saying into the receiver.[10] Glen Campbell added in a statement to the Dallas Observer that Webb wrote the song about his first love affair with a woman who married someone else.[10]
The actual song lyrics mention the name "Wichita" without specifying its exact location; Wichita, Kansas, in south central Kansas; Wichita County, Kansas, in western Kansas (which is over 250 road miles away); Wichita Falls, Texas; and Wichita County, Texas, have all been suggested as possibilities.
The musicians used on the recording were Campbell, Al Casey and James Burton (guitar), Carol Kaye (bass), Jim Gordon (drums), and Al DeLory (piano). The orchestral arrangements were by DeLory.
On a compositional note, the rhythmic syncopation referred to above as "morse code" can be found in other Jimmy Webb compositions including "MacArthur Park" (in the third section of the song) and "Up Up & Away" (in the intro).
Steel guitarist Buddy Emmons covered this song in 1970 (two years after Glen Campbell's hit version) on the Elektra album "Suite Steel."
Alternative rock band R.E.M. covered this song on their 1996 EP "Bittersweet Me."
In 1997, Wade Hayes released a cover version, which peaked at #55 on the U.S. country music charts. It was to have been included on an album titled Tore Up from the Floor Up, but due to its poor chart performance, the album was delayed. That album was finally released in 1998 as When the Wrong One Loves You Right, with the "Wichita Lineman" cover excluded.[11]
Homer Simpson sang a version of this song in the 15th episode of season 15 "Co-dependents day."
In 2003, Campbell performed a live in the studio version of the song with Stone Temple Pilots, which was included on the DVD that accompanied the band's "Thank You" CD.
James Taylor covered this song on his 2008 CD release, entitled simply "Covers."
| Chart (1968-9) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Go-Set Chart | 15[12] |
| Canadian RPM Top Singles | 1 |
| Canadian RPM Country Tracks | 1 |
| Irish Singles Chart | 12 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart | 10 |
| U.K. Singles Chart | 7 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles | 1 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 3 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks | 1 |
| Chart (1969) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Cashbox Top 100 | 13 |
| Canadian RPM Top Singles | 17 |
| U.K. Singles Chart | 56 |
| Preceded by "Those Were the Days" by Mary Hopkin |
US Billboard Easy Listening Singles number-one single (Glen Campbell version) December 14, 1968 (8 weeks) |
Succeeded by "I've Gotta Be Me" by Sammy Davis Jr. |
| Preceded by "Born to Be with You" by Sonny James |
US Billboard Hot Country Singles number-one single December 21-December 28, 1968 |
Succeeded by "Daddy Sang Bass" by Johnny Cash |
| Preceded by "Love Child" by Diana Ross & the Supremes |
Canadian RPM 100 number-one single December 16-23, 1968 |
Succeeded by "Soulful Strut" by Young-Holt Unlimited |
| Preceded by "I Take a Lot of Pride in What I Am" by Merle Haggard |
Canadian RPM Country Tracks number-one single January 13-January 20, 1969 |
Succeeded by "I Take a Lot of Pride in What I Am" by Merle Haggard |