In
my nearly 43 years, I haven’t heard a song as affecting as “Wichita
Lineman” by Glen Campbell. Jimmy Webb’s brilliant melody and
lyrics, the lush instrumentation, and Campbell’s earnest vocals and
signature bass-note guitar solo come together in a perfect fusion
that is unmatched, making this possibly the best song of all time.
The
last time I remember hearing this song was on the radio during family
road trips in the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s. I became
reacquainted with it recently in all its glory while listening to
Campbell’s 2009 Greatest Hits album. The rerecording from
the 2013 album See You There and the live version from the
2015 soundtrack album Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me are just as
powerful, with the older Campbell’s meeker but still determined
vocals exuding even more emotional resonance.
All
three versions of the song are absolute, unmistakable gems. Get the
aforementioned albums if you can, or at least the songs. If nothing
else, get the original recording.
Do
it while the Wichita Lineman is still on the line.
--Raj
Manoharan
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