• Skip to main content
• Text only version of this page
• Access keys help

Home

Explore the BBC

This page has been archived and is no longer updated. Find out more about page archiving.

Accessibility help Text only BBC Homepage BBC Music

Full Schedule -

Radio 2 Sold on Song What's On Search For A Songwriter Songs A-Z Artists A-Z Songwriting Guides Genres Glossary Newsletter
	Contact Us Like this page? Send it to a friend!

SONG HOME YOUR VIEWS 87 | Top 100 'Wichita Lineman' Glen Campbell “Wichita Lineman” is 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.Recorded by Glen Campbell and composed by songwriter Jimmy Webb, “Wichita Lineman” falls Song facts Composer Jimmy Webb Genre Country Album Wichita Lineman Year of release 1968 UK Chart Position 7 somewhere between pop and country music, without really being either. A simple tale of a lonely telephone repairman working in the vast open plains of the American Mid-West, it has just two short verses and one chorus, but says as much in them as many authors say in a lifetime. The final 30 seconds are given over to one of the most evocative instrumental breaks ever and the whole thing hangs together perfectly. Webb, the man behind the likes of “By The Time I Get To Phoenix” and “MacArthurPark”, wanted Campbell to record “Wichita Lineman” from the first. But Campbell struggled to recapture the magic of Webb’s demo, feeling something integral was missing. Eventually, he had Webb drag his Hammond organ into the studio to accompany him as he sang. This time the song worked beautifully. It made number three in the US and helped the album of the same name go double platinum. Glen Campbell on meeting Jimmy Webb Glen Campbell talks to Gloria Hunniford about how he first met songwriter Jimmy Webb - "I went over to his house and he played me Witchita Lineman...and I'm sure glad he did!". Audio help Other versions Johnny Cash provided another great interpretation of a classic American song on his Hurt single. It's one of those simple songs that appears to be about nothing at all, but in fact is about everything. Jim READ MORE COMMENTS... Make a comment Your Name and Town/City: Your Message: Songwriting tips Jimmy Webb painted pictures with sound. More in Writing A Song Lyrics tend to follow the tempo of the tune. More in Lyrics Test your knowledge Do you know your Jimmy Webb? Test yourself now. TAKE THE CHALLENGE! 86Wanted Dead or Alive 88All Along The Watchtower Newsletter sign-up Sign up for updates on new songs, documentaries and live events Like this song? Try these... Baker Street Gerry Rafferty DON'T MISS Doves Special guests on Dermot's show this week What's on Radio 2 Documentaries Find out more about current and forthcoming documentaries on Radio 2.

About the BBC | Help | Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookies Policy