Wichita Lineman – Glen Campbell

“Wichita Lineman” is a classic song performed by American singer-songwriter Glen Campbell. It was written by Jimmy Webb and released in 1968. The song tells the story of a lineman for the county, who is working on the telephone lines and feeling lonely as he contemplates his love. The song’s evocative lyrics and Campbell’s emotive delivery have made it one of his most enduring hits and a beloved piece of American music history. It has been covered by many artists and remains a staple of Campbell’s repertoire.

Why “Wichita Lineman” is so popular

The Lyrics:

The lyrics of “Wichita Lineman,” are often praised for their poetic and evocative nature. The song tells the story of a lineman working on power lines in rural Kansas, but its themes extend far beyond the literal narrative.

Songwriter, Webb worked at the song for a while, writing the first verse and part of the second. He believed it needed more, and he wasn’t happy with the chorus:

And I need you more than want you
And I want you for all time
And the Wichita lineman is still on the line.

– Jimmy Webb

He thought those last two lines were “the biggest, awfulest, ignorant, most obvious false rhyme in history.” Still, Campbell and DeLory were pressuring him, and Webb didn’t want to waste more time on the song if they didn’t like it. So he recorded what he had and sent it along.

But, luckily or we may say eventually, the song became a hit and still is.

I am a lineman for the county

And I drive the main road
Searchin’ in the sun for another overload

I hear you singing in the wire
I can hear you through the whine
And the Wichita lineman
Is still on the line

I know I need a small vacation
But it don’t look like rain
And if it snows that stretch down south
Won’t ever stand the strain

And I need you more than want you
And I want you for all time
And the Wichita lineman

Is still on the line

And I need you more than want you
And I want you for all time
And the Wichita lineman
Is still on the line

Songwriter: Jimmy Webb

[View Lyrics with Chords]

The Music Arrangment:

“Wichita Lineman” was recorded by Glen Campbell backed by members of The Wrecking Crew, a loose collective of US session musicians based in Los Angeles whose services were employed for a great number of studio recordings in the 1960s and 1970s, including hundreds of top 40 hits. The musicians were not publicly recognized in their era, but were viewed with reverence by industry insiders. They are now considered one of the most successful and prolific session recording units in music history.

The chord progression of “Wichita Lineman” is often described as haunting and melancholic, reflecting the themes of loneliness and longing in the lyrics. It follows a relatively straightforward structure, primarily utilizing chords such as Fmaj7, C9sus4, Gmaj7, Am7, Bm7, Cmaj7, and D, among others. This progression creates a sense of tension and resolution that complements the narrative of the song, enhancing its emotional resonance.

ConclusionWichita Lineman – Glen Campbell

Overall, “Wichita Lineman” is famous not only for its musical qualities but also for its emotional resonance and enduring appeal. It continues to be regarded as one of the greatest songs in popular music history.

Lyrics With Chords

Fmaj7          C9sus4         Fmaj7
|  /  /  /  /  |  /  /  /  /  |  /  /  /  /  |
 

C9sus4                     Bbmaj7
          I am a lineman for the county,
Fmaj7/A                        C9sus4
          And I drive the main road,
Dm7              Am7         Gsus4  G      D     Dsus4 D
Searching in the sun for another over - load,
                      Cadd9
I hear you singing in the wires,
                           G/B    Gm/Bb
I can hear you through the whine,
                D/A      A7sus4
And the Wichita lineman...
                   Bbmaj7   Csus2    Bbmaj7
Is still on the line
 

C9sus4                         Bbmaj7
         I know I need a small vacation,
Fmaj7/A                         C9sus4      Dm7
         But it don't look like rain,  and, if it snows,
     Am7                      Gsus4 G         D      Dsus4 D
That stretch down south won't ever  stand the strain,
                     Cadd9
And I need you more than want you,
                       G/B   Gm/Bb
And I want you for all time,
                D/A       A7sus4
And the Wichita lineman...
                   Bbmaj7   Csus2    Bbmaj7
Is still on the line
And I need you more than want you,
                       G/B    Gm/Bb
And I want you for all time,
                D/A       A7sus4
And the Wichita lineman...
                   Bbmaj7  Csus2   Bbmaj7  C9sus4
Is still on the line