"It's not gonna hurt me when you cry"
October 13, 2014 2:02 AM Subscribe
I'm still here, but yet I'm goneI'm Not Gonna Miss You is Glen Campbell latest and last ever song. Diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease back in 2011, he embarked on his farewell tour which finished 2012. Now checked into a long term Alzheimer's care facility, "I'm Not Gonna Miss You" is his farewell song to his wife in the knowledge that the disease is taking away his memories of her.
I don't play guitar or sing my songs
They never defined who I am
The man that loves you 'til the end
You're the last person I will love
You're the last face I will recall
And best of all, I'm not gonna to miss you.
Even at the end of it all the man could still write a hook few can equal. I think it's time to go tell my wife I love her.
posted by digitalprimate at 2:34 AM on October 13, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by digitalprimate at 2:34 AM on October 13, 2014 [1 favorite]
I was googling for an FPP I didn't finish (yet) about the 'New Fall Shows' on TV in 1964... fifty years ago. One of them was a new pop music showcase on ABC called "Shindig", with a 'house band' of performers with a bright future ahead of them, including Billy Preston, (shockingly short-haired) Leon Russell, and Glen Campbell.
posted by oneswellfoop at 3:03 AM on October 13, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by oneswellfoop at 3:03 AM on October 13, 2014 [3 favorites]
An absolutely gorgeous and very, very touching song. Glen Campbell was a huge star when I was coming up, he was a ubiquitous part of the entertainment landscape. His rendition of Wichita Lineman stands up there with some of my all time favorite songs. By the Time I Get To Phoenix was another one that really grabbed me when I was too young to really even fully understand it.
All the very best to you, in your remaining days, Glen Campbell.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 3:24 AM on October 13, 2014 [9 favorites]
All the very best to you, in your remaining days, Glen Campbell.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 3:24 AM on October 13, 2014 [9 favorites]
That was incredibly honest and intimate. Thanks for sharing this song to both MartinWisse and Glen Campbell.
posted by koavf at 3:28 AM on October 13, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by koavf at 3:28 AM on October 13, 2014 [1 favorite]
Two years ago Glenn Recorded "A Better Place", if you haven't heard the song, it's also worth giving a listen in light of the journey he's on.
Glenn is a fantastic musician, his music was a big part of my youth and young adulthood. It's terribly sad to see this process slowly take him away. It seems, however, that he's surrounded by people that love him, I hope they ease his days.
posted by HuronBob at 3:44 AM on October 13, 2014 [6 favorites]
Glenn is a fantastic musician, his music was a big part of my youth and young adulthood. It's terribly sad to see this process slowly take him away. It seems, however, that he's surrounded by people that love him, I hope they ease his days.
posted by HuronBob at 3:44 AM on October 13, 2014 [6 favorites]
There is no way that I could finish watching this. No way.
posted by damnitkage at 5:41 AM on October 13, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by damnitkage at 5:41 AM on October 13, 2014 [1 favorite]
I'm so glad I got to see him on his Farewell Tour and so sad that there was a Farewell Tour. What a great talent.
posted by maurice at 5:51 AM on October 13, 2014
posted by maurice at 5:51 AM on October 13, 2014
Wow. That was powerful. Some other well known musician just received this diagnosis, I think. I guess well known people always have, they just never talked about it openly.
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 5:54 AM on October 13, 2014
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 5:54 AM on October 13, 2014
There is a new movie out about Glen Campbell's last tour and his diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease: I'll Be Me.
posted by katinka-katinka at 5:59 AM on October 13, 2014
posted by katinka-katinka at 5:59 AM on October 13, 2014
Ow. Also couldn't finish it. Sometimes someone stops my life because there is something so damn lovely to show me.
posted by One Hand Slowclapping at 6:29 AM on October 13, 2014
posted by One Hand Slowclapping at 6:29 AM on October 13, 2014
I liked the actual song ok. I loved the song overlaid on the video. The family videos with the song are a whole lot of emotion to process. Glenn Campbell is not just some Rhinestone Cowboy.
posted by 724A at 6:58 AM on October 13, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by 724A at 6:58 AM on October 13, 2014 [1 favorite]
Some other well-known musician
Malcolm Young was diagnosed with dementia and is in care. He has supportive people around so that helps a little. Hopefully there are people there for them as well.
posted by datawrangler at 6:58 AM on October 13, 2014 [1 favorite]
Malcolm Young was diagnosed with dementia and is in care. He has supportive people around so that helps a little. Hopefully there are people there for them as well.
posted by datawrangler at 6:58 AM on October 13, 2014 [1 favorite]
I hope he lets his brain be examined postmortem. I wonder if the arts can prevent/stave off Alzheimer dementia
posted by Renoroc at 7:18 AM on October 13, 2014
posted by Renoroc at 7:18 AM on October 13, 2014
katinka-katinka: "There is a new movie out about Glen Campbell's last tour and his diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease: I'll Be Me."
I just watched the trailer. Oh my. It is a full length movie of the song essentially. I hope they hand out tissues on the way in.
Also, watch the trailer. Near the end, they show what amazing shape Glenn's body is in (waist up). The juxtaposition between his 75 year old body that looks maybe 50 and his Alzheimer's is startling.
posted by 724A at 7:26 AM on October 13, 2014
I just watched the trailer. Oh my. It is a full length movie of the song essentially. I hope they hand out tissues on the way in.
Also, watch the trailer. Near the end, they show what amazing shape Glenn's body is in (waist up). The juxtaposition between his 75 year old body that looks maybe 50 and his Alzheimer's is startling.
posted by 724A at 7:26 AM on October 13, 2014
I know Glen is still on this Earth, but I'm going to go ahead and say it:
.
posted by harrietthespy at 7:55 AM on October 13, 2014
.
posted by harrietthespy at 7:55 AM on October 13, 2014
Such a haunting song. Sad as this is, it's also a paean. I'm contrasting this to another haunting song that I have been thinking of adding to my repertoire, Nick Drake's Black-Eyed Dog. That's a sad and beautiful hymn to the human condition, too.
When my eyes get blurry because of an encounter with a wonderful, magical, and evocative artistic touchstone related to what it means to be human, I suffer the tears and praise my ability to do so.
posted by CincyBlues at 8:42 AM on October 13, 2014 [1 favorite]
When my eyes get blurry because of an encounter with a wonderful, magical, and evocative artistic touchstone related to what it means to be human, I suffer the tears and praise my ability to do so.
posted by CincyBlues at 8:42 AM on October 13, 2014 [1 favorite]
This song brings to mind Johnny Cash's "Hurt" for a number of reasons, but the biggest similarity is in the videos. Both use (to devastating effect) footage of the artist as a young man, as an old man, and every step in between. It really conveys the footprint each man leaves behind and how many people they have touched whether they be friends, family or fans. Thanks so much for this, Martin.
posted by AlonzoMosleyFBI at 9:05 AM on October 13, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by AlonzoMosleyFBI at 9:05 AM on October 13, 2014 [2 favorites]
I went on a Glen Campbell kick recently and discovered that his #1 seventies hit "Southern Nights" was written by none other than Allen Toussaint. That tune also features some great banjo picking (I believe by Carl Jackson) and I think Campbell was never in finer voice - which is really saying something. MartinWisse, thanks for posting.
posted by Sheydem-tants at 10:29 AM on October 13, 2014
posted by Sheydem-tants at 10:29 AM on October 13, 2014
I arrogantly disparaged Glen Campbell in his early career, attributing his success to the great writing and support of John Hartford rather than any sizable talent in Glen himself. Over time, my assessment of musicians and composers has become way more nuanced as I came to realize, among other verities, that interpreters can have as big an impact on a composition as the composer. He always chose formidable works by talented song-writers and interpreted them very, very well.
That aside, I appreciate Glen Campbell's humanity in dealing with his disease, his willingness to do so openly, and his kindness to his wife and loved ones. Gentle on my mind, indeed.
posted by Mental Wimp at 1:13 PM on October 13, 2014 [2 favorites]
That aside, I appreciate Glen Campbell's humanity in dealing with his disease, his willingness to do so openly, and his kindness to his wife and loved ones. Gentle on my mind, indeed.
posted by Mental Wimp at 1:13 PM on October 13, 2014 [2 favorites]
My heart goes out to Glen and his family and friends. Such a heartbreaking song, especially when paired with the home movies.
As for myself, perhaps staring down the barrel of the same fate, I hope I get hit by a city bus instead.
posted by ob1quixote at 4:47 PM on October 13, 2014
As for myself, perhaps staring down the barrel of the same fate, I hope I get hit by a city bus instead.
posted by ob1quixote at 4:47 PM on October 13, 2014
I think the song sounds like "Isolation" by John Lennon.
posted by Alizaria at 6:27 PM on October 13, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by Alizaria at 6:27 PM on October 13, 2014 [1 favorite]
Damn, I could barely finish reading the post. :(
posted by Theta States at 11:13 AM on October 14, 2014
posted by Theta States at 11:13 AM on October 14, 2014
it was a very glen-campbell way to go at this. he's always been a bit of a wise-ass; this was both honest and wise, which is not always a given. A good exit line. For his sake & his family's, I hope it goes as well as it can.
posted by lodurr at 1:54 PM on October 14, 2014
posted by lodurr at 1:54 PM on October 14, 2014
... as for his actual talent, lack thereof, etc.: he came up in a time and a millieu when 'singer-songwriter' was not regarded as a really good option. the few who stuck to their guns on it (willy & c.) sucked up the limited oxygen in country music, and the songwriters-who-sang (like mel tillis & c.) picked up most of the leavings. It wasn't like it would become.
The man could sing (evidently still can), and he was a pretty darn good guitar player when he wanted to be.
posted by lodurr at 1:58 PM on October 14, 2014 [2 favorites]
The man could sing (evidently still can), and he was a pretty darn good guitar player when he wanted to be.
posted by lodurr at 1:58 PM on October 14, 2014 [2 favorites]
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posted by GallonOfAlan at 2:20 AM on October 13, 2014 [1 favorite]