‘Wichita Lineman’: The Classic Glen Campbell Song

Udiscovermusic ^ | July 29, 2025B | Donald C. Cutler

[nickcarraway]

Based on a childhood memory, the song became one of the most popular pop country tracks of the late 1960s.

Laying the foundations for Westward expansion through dangerous, highly skilled labor, the lineman – a gender-inclusive term within the industry – fills a similar cultural role to that of the cowboy. With a small band of brothers (and now sisters), linemen do what needs to be done to keep the lights on and the phones ringing in their communities. The position isolates this expert technician from family and friends, forcing them to take risks to complete the job, doing so with a bit of swagger – the perfect fodder for country music.

Jimmy Webb wrote “Wichita Lineman” for Glen Campbell after the singer requested another place-based song to follow up his last geographical hit. “By The Time I Get To Phoenix,” written by Webb and released by Campbell in 1967, reached number two on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.

“Wichita Lineman” did not disappoint. Campbell released the song on an album of the same name in 1968, and it reached number three on the pop charts and remained in the Top 100 for 15 weeks that year. “Wichita Lineman” topped the country music chart for two weeks and the adult contemporary chart for six weeks. It was certified gold by the RIAA in January 1969.

For Webb, a memory of a childhood trip across the Panhandle of Oklahoma informed his writing of this song, according to a 2017 interview with the BBC. “In the heat of summer, with the heat rising off the road, the telephone poles gradually materialise out of this far, distant perspective and rush towards you,” he explained. “And then, as it happened, I suddenly looked up at one of these telephone poles and there was a man on top, talking on a telephone.”

Like a cowboy on a horse, this utility worker against the Oklahoma sky was imprinted on the young songwriter’s memory, serving as the inspiration for what became one of the most popular songs of the late 1960s.

Webb famously thought the song was incomplete, but the song came together easily, according to those in the studio. A range of expert session players built a sound around this song. Perhaps most iconically, the six-note descending bass riff that provides the opening hook was improvised by Carol Kaye as the musicians worked out the arrangement in the studio. Despite Webb’s reservations, the studio team delivered an instant classic, supported by enduring country music themes, beautiful arrangements and the instantly recognizable vocals of Campbell.

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TOPICS: Music/Entertainment
KEYWORDS: 60s; glencampbell; wichitalineman

[Allegra]

And I need you more than want you,
and I want you for all time
And the Wichita Lineman is still on the line…

Love that song.

[aposiopetic]

Thanks for the post. I’m hearing the song in my head as I write this.

[nickcarraway]

YW

[Getready]

Can’t say much more than “one of the most universally loved songs”. It’s history and awards say it better.

[stanne]

Brilliant. I have a signed copy

Love Glenn Campbell guitarist

Adore Jimmy Webb. Great songwriter.

[Right_Wing_Madman]

the lineman – a gender-inclusive term within the industry

With a small band of brothers (and now sisters)

This poor writer has to tiptoe around eggshells in order to write.

[stanne]

“AI Overview
Bob Dylan has famously called Jimmy Webb’s “Wichita Lineman” the greatest song ever written. He described it as “the greatest song,” according to American Songwriter. Dylan has also expressed admiration for other songs, including Link Wray’s “Rumble”, The Beatles’ “I Want to Hold Your Hand”, and The Eagles’ “Pretty Maids All in a Row”, but “Wichita Lineman” stands out as his explicit choice for the best. “

[ConservativeMind]

The song is haunting and doesn’t leave your head, easily.

You literally see the vast, empty, lonely space he’s working in, from above, and the sheer isolation jarringly brings that “need you” more than “want you” palpably to your heart.

You feel life is sadly solitary and the gift of another who loves you is everything. Then you realize she, too, is alone, save for you and your marriage.

In the end, the song seems brutal in its effect, while teaching you the desperate lives we have are nothing without love and God.

[af_vet_1981]

Beautiful song; so poignant.

[ETCM]

As someone who spent so many months away from my wife and family, this song always put a lump in my throat. So many missed anniversaries, birthdays, Christmases, Easters, thanksgivings, and even the birth of my child. That missed time is my sole regret of my career choice, and I thank God I am finally home for good.

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

One of my faves.

[mairdie]

Alias - Wichita Lineman (Marshall) - Glen Campbell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWRxpooc06E

[MikelTackNailer]

I loved the song until it got to the orchestral part, which seemed to cheapen it. Years later I bought a Stone Temple Pilots CD/DVD set that had this amazing cover where Glen himself sang it. Gold.

[Bullish]

I think at one time it was the most played song on all of AM radio. in fact, it may still hold that record. It’s a really great song and Glen did a great rendition of it.

[sushiman]

I recently , while being hospitalized for nocardiosis , came across an interview by Bill Maher with Billy Joel . I’m not a fan of Joel but with nothing to do I watched thinking it might be interesting an it was . Joel mentioned that he wished he could write a song as good as Wichita Lineman . Maher said “ Oh come on you’ve written songs better than that “ but Billy insisted it was one of the greats .

[dadfly]

great song. don’t get me wrong, i love three chord songs ala Creedence, but Webb doesn’t write 3 chord specials. i remember working out the chords on guitar so i could perform it. for me (no, i can’t sing as high as Campbell.), it used that bass riff to on C, then goes to G, and then the voice comes on on fdim7 to Em. but then the song goes to G, C, G, D; and then is keyed on A.

then to G on ‘and i need you more than want you...’ then can go to D-Dm on ‘and i want you for all time...’ then back to A on ‘and the Wichita Lineman....’ to and E chord resolve!

then back to F to G on that wire singing petal point... and then you have Campbell’s iconic bass guitar solo...and back to the verse.

amazing changes throughout. what a song. the guy and his songs sure inspired a bunch of us string players to take up the guitar.

[frank ballenger]

I was going to mention that but you were there first. That’s high praise from a master.

[Getready]

Glen performed many of the songs accompanied by the South Dakota symphony before Glens mental decline in a PBS(?) special?
The whole concert is beautiful and Glens guitar playing is super. On YouTube and probably others. Check it out.

Note: the above statement is not made in support of PBS. Their unrighteous, biased, and purposeful misleading assessment of political and social issues WAY outweigh what good things they did do.

[newfreep]

and then you have Campbell’s iconic bass guitar solo...

GC borrowed the 6-string bass from his fellow Wrecking Crew bandmate, Carol Kaye