Elmer's Brother

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2008/10/29

On the Turntable - Witchita Lineman

@ 06:24 AM (13 months, 1 day ago)

This song is so American and blue collar...I've always loved this song.

from Wikipedia:

"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. 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'.

Webb was inspired to write the lyrics when he saw a solitary lineman in rural northern Oklahoma.[1] The lyric describes the longing that a lonely telephone or electric power lineman feels for an absent lover who he imagines he can hear "singing in the wire" that he is working on. Such a sonic vibration is commonly induced by wind blowing across small conductors. There is uncertainty as to which "Wichita" is intended; Wichita, Kansas, Wichita County, Kansas (which is over 250 road miles away), Wichita Falls, Texas, and Wichita County, Texas have all been suggested as possibilities, and others believe that Webb had entitled the song "Ouachita Lineman," but that Campbell later changed that title to its present form.[citation needed]

"Wichita Lineman" has been recorded by a diverse range of artists; from Ray Charles, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Dwight Yoakam to Kool and the Gang, Bobby Broom and Urge Overkill.

James Taylor recorded the song on his album, "Covers", released in September 2008. Taylor includes the soulful rendition in the first set of his current U.S. tour.

Performers have included:

Comment(s) »

  1. Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win
    Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win
    Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win
    Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win Phillies win

    Comment by Barry G.— 2008/10/29 @ 04:16 PM — (Reply)

  2. A great singer

    Comment by webdesign— 2008/10/30 @ 08:06 PM — (Reply)

  3. I guess Barry is gunning for the Phillies, eh?

    Cool song.

    Comment by Brooke— 2008/10/31 @ 10:03 AM — (Reply)

  4. uh......gee Brooke.....What ever gave you that impression.....lol...I have been teasing a little on that one also...but hey when your team wins.......your team wins....party it up......Kinda like SPURS madness down here in San Antonio....they get crazy....lol...riff

    Comment by riffran— 2008/10/31 @ 10:12 AM — (Reply)

  5. I forgot.....go Phillies....lol...riff:mrgreen:

    Comment by riffran— 2008/10/31 @ 10:12 AM — (Reply)

  6. I forgot.....go Phillies....lol...riff:mrgreen:

    Comment by riffran— 2008/10/31 @ 10:13 AM — (Reply)

  7. sorry bout the double post...riff

    Comment by riffran— 2008/10/31 @ 10:13 AM — (Reply)

  8. I always loved that song. I'm going to have to check out the Johnny Cash cover of it.

    Comment by kevin— 2008/11/01 @ 06:55 AM — (Reply)

  9. Both Johnny Cash and Glen Campbell were two of my father's favorites. I saw Johnny Cash in concert once and he nearly tripped over me after when I happened by the door he exited. He was a huge guy, physically.

    Comment by Elmers Brother— 2008/11/01 @ 07:21 AM — (Reply)

  10. I always loved this song. Thanks for the back story.

    Comment by FJ— 2008/11/01 @ 11:32 AM — (Reply)

  11. Here's Johnny A's instrumental version. It's very nice.

    Comment by Elmers Brother— 2008/11/02 @ 02:24 PM — (Reply)

  12. Jimmy Webb

    I saw REM's also but it's not very good.

    Comment by Elmers Brother— 2008/11/02 @ 02:27 PM — (Reply)

  13. Sammy Davis Jr

    Comment by Elmers Brother— 2008/11/02 @ 02:37 PM — (Reply)

  14. Oh, my gosh...we agree on a song! I have always loved that ...thanks, Elbro
    And I needed it tonight....it was like comfort food ..except I like the original recording better, gotta admit
    xxx

    Comment by z — 2008/11/04 @ 06:56 PM — (Reply)

  15. Do you like Mason Williams Z? the next one might be on him

    Comment by Elmers Brother— 2008/11/05 @ 01:31 AM — (Reply)

  16. this song does have a major comfort factor Z...and Glen Campbell's musicianship seems to me is underrated

    I've read that he had mastered the guitar by the time he was 10!

    Comment by Elmers Brother— 2008/11/05 @ 02:57 AM — (Reply)

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