Wichita Lineman
June 15, 2007 9:30 PM Subscribe
I remember as a young boy in New Zealand listening to this song over and over again and looking at a Rand McNally map of the States I had pinned to my wall. I'd dream about those roads in Kansas and that mythical linesman. There is a real haunting quality to this song. It has aged very well.
posted by vac2003 at 9:53 PM on June 15, 2007 [2 favorites]
posted by vac2003 at 9:53 PM on June 15, 2007 [2 favorites]
One of my all time favourite songs. Just glorious.
An older Glen singing with the Stone Temple Pilots.
The studio version, one of many odd and wonderful little nature videos set to classic pop. (More from 60otaku here.)
posted by maudlin at 9:55 PM on June 15, 2007 [4 favorites]
An older Glen singing with the Stone Temple Pilots.
The studio version, one of many odd and wonderful little nature videos set to classic pop. (More from 60otaku here.)
posted by maudlin at 9:55 PM on June 15, 2007 [4 favorites]
Vronsky. . . you always bring the sweet, sweet pain.
thankyou.
posted by isopraxis at 10:03 PM on June 15, 2007
thankyou.
posted by isopraxis at 10:03 PM on June 15, 2007
I want to see Jack Black perform this song. Is that so wrong?
posted by zippy at 10:07 PM on June 15, 2007
posted by zippy at 10:07 PM on June 15, 2007
This is a uniquely American, poem in the first person. This piece of music stands as a regional poem, the likes of Stopping By The Woods On A Snowy Evening, by Robert Frost. There is something wonderfully eternal, singular about this song. It is believable. Delivered by the surreally beautiful Mr Campbell, it stands as a solid work of performance art. I have always been a fan of his projection.
posted by Oyéah at 10:20 PM on June 15, 2007
posted by Oyéah at 10:20 PM on June 15, 2007
Fabulous song, it gives me that certain kind of shiver, a good shiver, whenever I hear it.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 10:25 PM on June 15, 2007
posted by flapjax at midnite at 10:25 PM on June 15, 2007
Wow. I remember watching the Glen Campbell variety show with my dad when I was just a sprout. My father worked as a lineman (Chicago, not Witicha) and that song really resonated with him. He used to play the 45 a lot, I think maybe as a way of connecting to us and apologizing for his long hours. I can't hear that song or see Glen Campbell perform it without flashing back to evenings in our basement family room, thunderstorms raging outside, wondering when Dad was going to come home. Those were scary, scary nights.
Thanks vronsky. The duel is called off.
posted by maryh at 10:26 PM on June 15, 2007 [2 favorites]
Thanks vronsky. The duel is called off.
posted by maryh at 10:26 PM on June 15, 2007 [2 favorites]
I want to see Jack Black perform this song. Is that so wrong?
There's actually an episode of NewsRadio where Andy Dick sings a line or two from the song. I can't remember which episode though.
If that's any consolation.
posted by dhammond at 10:27 PM on June 15, 2007
There's actually an episode of NewsRadio where Andy Dick sings a line or two from the song. I can't remember which episode though.
If that's any consolation.
posted by dhammond at 10:27 PM on June 15, 2007
For those of you here that don't already know, Glen Campbell was, for a little while, a Beach Boy. You can read all about it here, of course (as well as see a pic of Glen from 2004).
posted by flapjax at midnite at 10:37 PM on June 15, 2007
posted by flapjax at midnite at 10:37 PM on June 15, 2007
Aww, Glen Campbell takes me back to my 70s childhood... I can't complain.
posted by amyms at 10:47 PM on June 15, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by amyms at 10:47 PM on June 15, 2007 [1 favorite]
Man, I love that song! I'm going back to listen to "Galveston" now! Thank you!
posted by The Light Fantastic at 10:50 PM on June 15, 2007
posted by The Light Fantastic at 10:50 PM on June 15, 2007
It was from Campbell's appearances on the Smothers Brothers' show that he was picked to host a summer replacement show, and from that got his own variety show, The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour from '69 till '72. A cool highlight: w/Stevie Wonder doing Blowing in the Wind, of all things -- nicely, too. You'd hardly know it from his simple guitar solo on Lineman, but he is actually a fine guitarist. The only video I can find that hints at his abilities is some behind the scenes footage.
posted by wsg at 11:00 PM on June 15, 2007
posted by wsg at 11:00 PM on June 15, 2007
one time, glen campbell gave me 18 rolls of toilet paper. i am not making this up.
posted by BrodieShadeTree at 11:11 PM on June 15, 2007
posted by BrodieShadeTree at 11:11 PM on June 15, 2007
When I was a kid, we used to play trade-up in our neighborhood. This was like the one-red-paper clip game. Glen Campbell lived up the way from us. So one night we pressed the buzzer on his house and said we had a 4 pack roll of toilet paper and can he trade us up? He did. He walked out to the front of the house with a 18 roll pack and gave it to us. We stopped there, cause we knew we would win and we did. Now, I'll just wait for an Alice Cooper post, so I can share the stories about sitting next to him in church sharing a hymnal.
posted by BrodieShadeTree at 11:29 PM on June 15, 2007 [10 favorites]
posted by BrodieShadeTree at 11:29 PM on June 15, 2007 [10 favorites]
BrodieShadeTree, I think that is one of the best celebrity stories I've read here on Mefi. It's so random and odd yet exactly the sort of thing I could see Glen Campbell doing.
posted by LeeJay at 12:23 AM on June 16, 2007
posted by LeeJay at 12:23 AM on June 16, 2007
You'd hardly know it from his simple guitar solo on Lineman, but he is actually a fine guitarist.
Actually, because of his simple solo on Lineman, I'd classify him as a fine guitarist. Playing something simple is often the very mark of a fine player.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 1:13 AM on June 16, 2007
Actually, because of his simple solo on Lineman, I'd classify him as a fine guitarist. Playing something simple is often the very mark of a fine player.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 1:13 AM on June 16, 2007
Here's a live rendition from Optiganally Yours, starring The Optigan and Rob Crow.
posted by carsonb at 1:35 AM on June 16, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by carsonb at 1:35 AM on June 16, 2007 [1 favorite]
"...Stevie Wonder doing Blowing in the Wind, of all things..."
"Of all things?" It's actually not an odd song for Stevie to cover. Aside from the fact that it's simply a great song, for Stevie Wonder it probably had much the same resonance as it did for Mavis Staples, who spoke at some length about the song in the recent Scorcese Dylan doco No Direction Home. She saw it as having a civil rights message, particularly the very first "how many roads must a man walk down before you call him a man" line, and of course "how many years can some people exist before they're allowed to be free". This aspect, this interpretation of the song as a specific reference to the civil rights movement that was in full swing at the time Dylan wrote it is probably one of the elements that gave it meaning for Stevie Wonder, and led him to want to cover it.
I would make the comment "of all things" about the tune that Stevie and Glen were doing on that show just before Blowing in the Wind, which we only heard the very tail end of in the clip, namely Buck Owens' "I've Got a Tiger By the Tail", done in what seems to be a straight-up country and western treatment. Now that's a little unexpected. Just goes to show though, that the carved-in-stone preconceptions about what black musicians and what white musicians should be doing or could be doing or are interested in doing is often very narrow. Certainly the history of American music has seen many, many curious cross-pollinations and dialogues between "black" and "white" styles, and there's often a lot more gray than many folks recognize or will acknowledge.
And BTW, thanks for that link, wsg.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 1:45 AM on June 16, 2007
"Of all things?" It's actually not an odd song for Stevie to cover. Aside from the fact that it's simply a great song, for Stevie Wonder it probably had much the same resonance as it did for Mavis Staples, who spoke at some length about the song in the recent Scorcese Dylan doco No Direction Home. She saw it as having a civil rights message, particularly the very first "how many roads must a man walk down before you call him a man" line, and of course "how many years can some people exist before they're allowed to be free". This aspect, this interpretation of the song as a specific reference to the civil rights movement that was in full swing at the time Dylan wrote it is probably one of the elements that gave it meaning for Stevie Wonder, and led him to want to cover it.
I would make the comment "of all things" about the tune that Stevie and Glen were doing on that show just before Blowing in the Wind, which we only heard the very tail end of in the clip, namely Buck Owens' "I've Got a Tiger By the Tail", done in what seems to be a straight-up country and western treatment. Now that's a little unexpected. Just goes to show though, that the carved-in-stone preconceptions about what black musicians and what white musicians should be doing or could be doing or are interested in doing is often very narrow. Certainly the history of American music has seen many, many curious cross-pollinations and dialogues between "black" and "white" styles, and there's often a lot more gray than many folks recognize or will acknowledge.
And BTW, thanks for that link, wsg.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 1:45 AM on June 16, 2007
Probably one of the most perfect songs ever written, performed beautifully.
There is, of course, the UK footie version:
"I am a linesman at Notts County,
And I've been to Maine Road ..."
Now that linesmen are called 'referee's assistants' and Maine Road is no more, this probably makes no sense to anyone under 25.
posted by essexjan at 2:44 AM on June 16, 2007
There is, of course, the UK footie version:
"I am a linesman at Notts County,
And I've been to Maine Road ..."
Now that linesmen are called 'referee's assistants' and Maine Road is no more, this probably makes no sense to anyone under 25.
posted by essexjan at 2:44 AM on June 16, 2007
As regards Stevie and Blowing in the Wind, the man himself has something to say about the song in this youtube clip I just discovered: he was singing it again in 2004.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 3:23 AM on June 16, 2007
posted by flapjax at midnite at 3:23 AM on June 16, 2007
Wow. When I was a kid, my sister and I would fight over the eight-track tape we had of this song. Our dad was often away from home for long periods of time (Coast Guard), so I guess it kind of resonated for us. Thanks for the post.
posted by trip and a half at 3:35 AM on June 16, 2007
posted by trip and a half at 3:35 AM on June 16, 2007
I have absolutely no idea why but the version with the Stone Temple Pilots maudlin posted is one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard.
posted by NeonSurge at 3:50 AM on June 16, 2007
posted by NeonSurge at 3:50 AM on June 16, 2007
I have absolutely no idea why but the version with the Stone Temple Pilots maudlin posted is one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard.
It IS very compelling (thumbs up).
posted by amyms at 3:56 AM on June 16, 2007
It IS very compelling (thumbs up).
posted by amyms at 3:56 AM on June 16, 2007
BTW, wsg, now I see that it wasn't just the tail end of "Tiger by the Tail", but that it was just a sort of 30-second knocked-off version... hahaha!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:09 AM on June 16, 2007
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:09 AM on June 16, 2007
There is good country music. It feels so strange to type that.
I first heard Wichita Lineman as a cover by Phil Oakey. This chap says he's collected 63 cover versions via filesharing (I don't think it's practical to do it any other way - I've got similar projects on the go: if any come good, I'll post).
Not to be picky, though, I wish the Glen Campbell version would make its mind up about what sort of line it was. Morse code references? "I hear you singing on the wires", "The stretch down south won't ever take take the strain"? That machine electric phasing hum on the fade-out? Is this telegraphy, telephony or power transmission?
Really. Such categorical sloppiness can ruin an otherwise respectable, workmanlike effort. If the song really is about a new multiplexed transmission technology capable of supporting communication simultaneously with energy distribution, then make it plain, people!
"I am a lineman for Verizon..."
posted by Devonian at 4:22 AM on June 16, 2007 [1 favorite]
I first heard Wichita Lineman as a cover by Phil Oakey. This chap says he's collected 63 cover versions via filesharing (I don't think it's practical to do it any other way - I've got similar projects on the go: if any come good, I'll post).
Not to be picky, though, I wish the Glen Campbell version would make its mind up about what sort of line it was. Morse code references? "I hear you singing on the wires", "The stretch down south won't ever take take the strain"? That machine electric phasing hum on the fade-out? Is this telegraphy, telephony or power transmission?
Really. Such categorical sloppiness can ruin an otherwise respectable, workmanlike effort. If the song really is about a new multiplexed transmission technology capable of supporting communication simultaneously with energy distribution, then make it plain, people!
"I am a lineman for Verizon..."
posted by Devonian at 4:22 AM on June 16, 2007 [1 favorite]
Nice find. GREAT song. I can't find it anywhere on-line, but although R.E.M. is a bit threadbard at this point, they did a terrific cover of this song.
posted by psmealey at 4:45 AM on June 16, 2007
posted by psmealey at 4:45 AM on June 16, 2007
what's a lineman anyway ? the guy that paints the roads ?
posted by sgt.serenity at 4:46 AM on June 16, 2007
posted by sgt.serenity at 4:46 AM on June 16, 2007
what's a lineman anyway ?
No, it's a guy who works on the phone lines. And of course, the song conveys that mental image of a guy out in Kansas, flat as flat gets, with nothing but wheat fields or grasslands as far as the eye can see, working alone up on a telephone pole: that right there is enough to make you cry. He's a lonely guy, out in the middle of a vast nowhere. A lineman for the county.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:52 AM on June 16, 2007 [1 favorite]
No, it's a guy who works on the phone lines. And of course, the song conveys that mental image of a guy out in Kansas, flat as flat gets, with nothing but wheat fields or grasslands as far as the eye can see, working alone up on a telephone pole: that right there is enough to make you cry. He's a lonely guy, out in the middle of a vast nowhere. A lineman for the county.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:52 AM on June 16, 2007 [1 favorite]
Oh, and sarge, for a more in-depth answer to your question, go here.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:56 AM on June 16, 2007
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:56 AM on June 16, 2007
I'm from Wichita. Together with the B-29, this song is our only claim to fame. Well, there is this guy.
posted by MarshallPoe at 5:17 AM on June 16, 2007
posted by MarshallPoe at 5:17 AM on June 16, 2007
What was that noise you all just heard? That was me being sucked back to 1970. I'm in the back seat of our Mercury Montego fighting with my brother as my mother drives us to Sambro beach near Halifax.
Just got back and I'm a little disoriented. Whoa! Why am I so fat? And you mean I didn't get to be an dolphin trainer after all?
posted by Turtles all the way down at 6:10 AM on June 16, 2007 [1 favorite]
Just got back and I'm a little disoriented. Whoa! Why am I so fat? And you mean I didn't get to be an dolphin trainer after all?
posted by Turtles all the way down at 6:10 AM on June 16, 2007 [1 favorite]
Jimmy's best song and Glen's voice is perfect.
I've been obsessed with this song for over a year. I even did my own version
posted by bhnyc at 6:10 AM on June 16, 2007 [1 favorite]
I've been obsessed with this song for over a year. I even did my own version
posted by bhnyc at 6:10 AM on June 16, 2007 [1 favorite]
Campbell did a KILLER rocking version of Galveston on Austin City Limits in the 1980's. I had it on a beta tape, but lost it- I've been looking for another copy for years.
posted by centerpunch at 6:21 AM on June 16, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by centerpunch at 6:21 AM on June 16, 2007 [1 favorite]
A great songwriter, and a great interpretation. I always appreciated the simulated telegraphy in the strings at the end of the chorus. Also, being from Saskatchewan, I can certainly relate to the terrain being described.
posted by evilcolonel at 6:28 AM on June 16, 2007
posted by evilcolonel at 6:28 AM on June 16, 2007
SERGIO MENDES & BRASIL' 66 "Wichita Lineman"
Cher and Glen Campbell
posted by vronsky at 6:30 AM on June 16, 2007
Cher and Glen Campbell
posted by vronsky at 6:30 AM on June 16, 2007
Ghost of an American Airman does a wonderful cover -- I can't find a copy of it online, but if anyone wants it, my e-mail is in my profile.
posted by parilous at 6:55 AM on June 16, 2007
posted by parilous at 6:55 AM on June 16, 2007
This link was awesome. I'd also like to put in a plug for "By the Time I Get to Phoenix", which I love even more. (Warning: link to my own blog, containing obsessive reading of lyrics to a song made famous by Glenn.)
posted by sy at 7:18 AM on June 16, 2007
posted by sy at 7:18 AM on June 16, 2007
My late dad loved Glen Campbell. "Wichita Lineman," of course, but also "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," "Galveston," "Gentle on My Mind," and even stuff like "Southern Nights" and "Rhinestone Cowboy." I grew up listening to him hum Glen Campbell lyrics.
Thanks for this.
posted by blucevalo at 8:44 AM on June 16, 2007 [2 favorites]
Thanks for this.
posted by blucevalo at 8:44 AM on June 16, 2007 [2 favorites]
Someone has already pointed out that Witchita Lineman was written by Jimmy Webb. I've had the great pleasure of reading Mr. Webb's book on songwriting, Tunesmith. In it, he lays out his theory that a really good song should be a 3 minute play. Think about that the next time you listen to "Up up and away" or "MacArthur Park."
He also says there is no point in rhyming the word "love"; you'll just end up with cliche all over your face.
posted by ilsa at 9:20 AM on June 16, 2007
He also says there is no point in rhyming the word "love"; you'll just end up with cliche all over your face.
posted by ilsa at 9:20 AM on June 16, 2007
In that book, does he talk at all about why someone would leave a cake out in the rain? Because... really... who wastes a good cake like that?
posted by miss lynnster at 9:31 AM on June 16, 2007
posted by miss lynnster at 9:31 AM on June 16, 2007
Anyone else out there a fan of Cassandra Wilson's version of this song?
posted by hifiparasol at 9:46 AM on June 16, 2007
posted by hifiparasol at 9:46 AM on June 16, 2007
And I need you more than want you.
And I want you for all time.
But the Witchita Lineman
Is still on the line.
WTF???
I've been in the desert on a horse with no name and even I can't figure out what this Campbell song was supposed to mean. And what's with the penises surrounding him in that clip?
As for Wichita not having many claims to fame, do you still believe in the law of gravity? I would strongly encourage you to seek out the underappreciated but awe-inspiring work of Rick Yost his album entitled Wichita Falls ( < - - mp3) is still one of my all time favorites (and a helluva lot better than anything Glenn Campbell ever shot out his ass). I'm gonna go have lunch with great Caesar's ghost. See ya later.
posted by ZachsMind at 10:13 AM on June 16, 2007
And I want you for all time.
But the Witchita Lineman
Is still on the line.
WTF???
I've been in the desert on a horse with no name and even I can't figure out what this Campbell song was supposed to mean. And what's with the penises surrounding him in that clip?
As for Wichita not having many claims to fame, do you still believe in the law of gravity? I would strongly encourage you to seek out the underappreciated but awe-inspiring work of Rick Yost his album entitled Wichita Falls ( < - - mp3) is still one of my all time favorites (and a helluva lot better than anything Glenn Campbell ever shot out his ass). I'm gonna go have lunch with great Caesar's ghost. See ya later.
posted by ZachsMind at 10:13 AM on June 16, 2007
Did you ever consider that maybe I like it when you slap me across the cheek with your bejeweled opera glove maryh? Just sayin.
posted by vronsky at 11:06 AM on June 16, 2007
posted by vronsky at 11:06 AM on June 16, 2007
And then there's Pat Metheny's & Lyle Mays' 1981 album "As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls."
posted by ericb at 11:13 AM on June 16, 2007
posted by ericb at 11:13 AM on June 16, 2007
I can hardly even think about "By the Time I Get to Phoenix." Hearing that song as a little kid, about all that unimaginable loneliness and hurt out in the world, right there on the radio next to Elton John and Rod Stewart... it was pretty jarring.
So, I'm not going to clink on your link, sy. Sorry.
A fine post, and a great thread. Thanks, folks.
posted by ibmcginty at 11:46 AM on June 16, 2007
So, I'm not going to clink on your link, sy. Sorry.
A fine post, and a great thread. Thanks, folks.
posted by ibmcginty at 11:46 AM on June 16, 2007
one possible explanation for miss lynster's posted picture:
i know a guy, signed to arista in the early 70s, who briefly hit it. he has a completely different life now but still has his fans.
he claims--and he is a paragon of virtue--that shortly after he turned down an "offer you shouldnt refuse" for backing from some "sopranos," the same folks helped out a willing glenn campbell...
just an interesting anecdote.
that song gives me super shivers. esp the last verse. that melody, everything. haunting.
posted by oigocosas at 12:52 PM on June 16, 2007
i know a guy, signed to arista in the early 70s, who briefly hit it. he has a completely different life now but still has his fans.
he claims--and he is a paragon of virtue--that shortly after he turned down an "offer you shouldnt refuse" for backing from some "sopranos," the same folks helped out a willing glenn campbell...
just an interesting anecdote.
that song gives me super shivers. esp the last verse. that melody, everything. haunting.
posted by oigocosas at 12:52 PM on June 16, 2007
"And I need you more than want you.
And I want you for all time."
I think I heard somewhere that part was supposedly the first part of the song written, and Jimmy Webb hung onto it for a long time before he crafted the rest of the song around it. One of my all-time favorite tunes.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 1:23 PM on June 16, 2007
And I want you for all time."
I think I heard somewhere that part was supposedly the first part of the song written, and Jimmy Webb hung onto it for a long time before he crafted the rest of the song around it. One of my all-time favorite tunes.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 1:23 PM on June 16, 2007
Miss Lynnster:
Although he discusses the fact that he was asked to write it as an experimental piece, and the artist who asked subsequently decided not to record it, he does not discuss the cake incident.
Honestly, I think the main character of MacArthur Park is supposed to be somewhat crazy. He/she wants everything to be perfect perfect perfect for a perfect day: look I borrowed this recipe to make a perfect cake and now it's ruined because somebody left it in the rain.....
I came to this conclusion after reading another section about the process he used for writing an unrelated song about a friend who is mentally ill.
posted by ilsa at 1:35 PM on June 16, 2007
Although he discusses the fact that he was asked to write it as an experimental piece, and the artist who asked subsequently decided not to record it, he does not discuss the cake incident.
Honestly, I think the main character of MacArthur Park is supposed to be somewhat crazy. He/she wants everything to be perfect perfect perfect for a perfect day: look I borrowed this recipe to make a perfect cake and now it's ruined because somebody left it in the rain.....
I came to this conclusion after reading another section about the process he used for writing an unrelated song about a friend who is mentally ill.
posted by ilsa at 1:35 PM on June 16, 2007
On the subject of good covers of this song, add the version by Friends of Dean Martinez
posted by popkinson at 2:56 PM on June 16, 2007
posted by popkinson at 2:56 PM on June 16, 2007
GC is an American classic. An all out number one with is all right and good in this country.
posted by shockingbluamp at 3:28 PM on June 16, 2007
posted by shockingbluamp at 3:28 PM on June 16, 2007
PS. A jam I woild love to see:
Glen Campbell
Willie Nelson
Alas, The the LATE GREAT Johhy Cash
B.J. Thomas
Jime Croce
Harry Chapin
R.E.M.
posted by shockingbluamp at 3:32 PM on June 16, 2007
Glen Campbell
Willie Nelson
Alas, The the LATE GREAT Johhy Cash
B.J. Thomas
Jime Croce
Harry Chapin
R.E.M.
posted by shockingbluamp at 3:32 PM on June 16, 2007
oigocosas, there's a perfectly good explanation for my posted picture. It's his 2003 DUI mugshot. According to TSG:
"Country singer Glen Campbell was arrested in November 2003 on drunk driving and hit and run charges. According to Arizona cops, the 67-year-old performer was nabbed shortly after plowing his BMW into another auto at a Phoenix intersection. He left the accident scene, but was arrested at his nearby home, where cops smelled booze on his breath and noted that Campbell looked smashed. After he was booked into a Maricopa County lockup, Campbell kneed a sergeant in the thigh--for which the country star was hit with an aggravated assault on a police officer charge... The singer, now 68, pleaded guilty in May to extreme DUI and leaving the scene of an accident."
posted by miss lynnster at 3:37 PM on June 16, 2007
"Country singer Glen Campbell was arrested in November 2003 on drunk driving and hit and run charges. According to Arizona cops, the 67-year-old performer was nabbed shortly after plowing his BMW into another auto at a Phoenix intersection. He left the accident scene, but was arrested at his nearby home, where cops smelled booze on his breath and noted that Campbell looked smashed. After he was booked into a Maricopa County lockup, Campbell kneed a sergeant in the thigh--for which the country star was hit with an aggravated assault on a police officer charge... The singer, now 68, pleaded guilty in May to extreme DUI and leaving the scene of an accident."
posted by miss lynnster at 3:37 PM on June 16, 2007
"And I need you more than want you.
And I want you for all time."
I always took this to mean, here's how much I need you: I want you soo sooo much, to infinity, and I need you EVEN MORE than that.
hth :)
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 8:31 PM on June 16, 2007 [1 favorite]
And I want you for all time."
I always took this to mean, here's how much I need you: I want you soo sooo much, to infinity, and I need you EVEN MORE than that.
hth :)
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 8:31 PM on June 16, 2007 [1 favorite]
Sounds like Karen Carpenter covering Wilco.
posted by four panels at 9:17 PM on June 16, 2007
posted by four panels at 9:17 PM on June 16, 2007
I really enjoy this version in my own perverse way.
posted by infinitywaltz at 11:36 PM on June 16, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by infinitywaltz at 11:36 PM on June 16, 2007 [1 favorite]
Devonian: "This is great country music."
This is not country music. This is pop music.
flapjax at midnite: "Playing something simple is often the very mark of a fine player."
Understatement can indeed be equated with taste, as it is in this case. The solo on that baritone is perfect and exactly what is called for on the track.
What I'm saying is that if Lineman is the only Glen Campbell tune that someone ever heard, they'd never know that he also has seriously heavy chops. And I bet if Rick Yost ever had a sitdown jam with Glen, they would share a mutual respect.
posted by wsg at 12:05 AM on June 17, 2007
This is not country music. This is pop music.
flapjax at midnite: "Playing something simple is often the very mark of a fine player."
Understatement can indeed be equated with taste, as it is in this case. The solo on that baritone is perfect and exactly what is called for on the track.
What I'm saying is that if Lineman is the only Glen Campbell tune that someone ever heard, they'd never know that he also has seriously heavy chops. And I bet if Rick Yost ever had a sitdown jam with Glen, they would share a mutual respect.
posted by wsg at 12:05 AM on June 17, 2007
Did you ever consider that maybe I like it when you slap me across the cheek with your bejeweled opera glove maryh? Just sayin.
posted by vronsky at 11:06 AM on June 16 [+] [!]
This must be the beginning of a beautiful friendship, vronsky.
*THWACK THWACK THWACK
Sorry, didn't mean to shatter your pince nez!
THWACK THWACK!
*glove flies off into the crowd, tragically en-comas gifted young accountant cheering from sidelines*
posted by maryh at 12:06 AM on June 17, 2007
posted by vronsky at 11:06 AM on June 16 [+] [!]
This must be the beginning of a beautiful friendship, vronsky.
*THWACK THWACK THWACK
Sorry, didn't mean to shatter your pince nez!
THWACK THWACK!
*glove flies off into the crowd, tragically en-comas gifted young accountant cheering from sidelines*
posted by maryh at 12:06 AM on June 17, 2007
Good call, wsg. Wichita Lineman is indeed not country music. And Devonian, dude, there's a lot of good country music. That is, GREAT country music. Have you listened to Hank Williams? Johnny Cash? Lefty Frizell? Merle Haggard? These are only a few of the giants of American songwriting. There are many more.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 12:11 AM on June 17, 2007
posted by flapjax at midnite at 12:11 AM on June 17, 2007
Anyone else out there a fan of Cassandra Wilson's version of this song?
[raises hand]
posted by mkhall at 8:42 AM on June 17, 2007
[raises hand]
posted by mkhall at 8:42 AM on June 17, 2007
ooh, great post. pardon my tardy. that guitar solo is actually played on a fender six-string bass guitar.
posted by aquanaut at 8:28 PM on June 17, 2007
posted by aquanaut at 8:28 PM on June 17, 2007
that guitar solo is actually played on a fender six-string bass guitar
Y'know, when I first saw him play that solo in the clip I counted the pegs, cause my ears told me it was a bass. But when I counted 6, I just thought either he tuned his guitar really low or, I dunno, used really heavy-gauge strings or something. Anyway, it's a great sound. Those Fender 6-string basses, I'd say then, should be in wider use. Very warm.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 8:58 PM on June 17, 2007
Y'know, when I first saw him play that solo in the clip I counted the pegs, cause my ears told me it was a bass. But when I counted 6, I just thought either he tuned his guitar really low or, I dunno, used really heavy-gauge strings or something. Anyway, it's a great sound. Those Fender 6-string basses, I'd say then, should be in wider use. Very warm.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 8:58 PM on June 17, 2007
If anyone wants to see Glen Campbell, you can swing down here to Branson, Missouri. He's usually performing with Andy Williams, depending on the time of year.
posted by shinynewnick at 6:40 AM on June 18, 2007
posted by shinynewnick at 6:40 AM on June 18, 2007
The name "Fender Bass VI" is misleading, because it's not a true bass in that its range is between that of a real bass (like a Fender Precision) and a regular guitar. It's an octave higher than a bass and an octave lower than a guitar -- right in the middle. It has a shorter scale and lighter strings than a bass. It's more accurately an electric baritone guitar. I have a Danelectro baritone guitar.
posted by wsg at 9:53 AM on June 18, 2007
posted by wsg at 9:53 AM on June 18, 2007
Thanks for that clarification, wsg.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 12:45 AM on June 19, 2007
posted by flapjax at midnite at 12:45 AM on June 19, 2007
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posted by dhammond at 9:35 PM on June 15, 2007