Here’s the story about this song as told by Jimmy Webb, the master songwriter who wrote it. The pair had combined on a hit with the song, “By the Time I Get to Phoenix.” Looking for repeat success, Campbell asked his writing friend to give hi another song with a specific location.
Jimmy Webb is driving on a back road across Oklahoma when he spots a lone lineman working on a telephone pole against the backdrop of the endless blue sky. This gives rise to this deceptively profound song about a man’s loneliness and longing for connection. It’s as if Sartre started writing country songs.
Campbell recorded this with the famed L.A. session group, the Wrecking Crew. He knew them well because he got his start as a session man playing guitar.
#Songoftheday #spreadinghappiness #wichitalineman #jimmywebb #glencampbell
YouTube: https://youtu.be/Q8P_xTBpAcY?si=VV1k08MPFQ7TB1sp
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/6V9VCm1zOY2lGR80RehJ9i?si=6cf46af9f6d3437f