Glen Campbell - Wichita Lineman - Lyrics Meaning

Wichita Lineman was written in 1968 by the prolific country and western songwriter Jimmy Webb. Webb has written a host of C&W classics many of which were recorded by Glen Campbell, a country and western icon whose career spans more than five decades. Although Webb reputedly would never admit that he wrote the song for Campbell, it was by far and away the most successful version, reaching the top three in the US pop charts, and remained in the charts for a total of 15 weeks. At the same time, Wichita Lineman also topped the American country music chart for two weeks. Music experts claim that the song transcends pop and country music.

The song also features in the Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time"

Wichita Lineman seemingly relates to the life of a lonely telephone repairman whose job is to roam the American Mid-West. According to Jimmy Webb the inspiration to write the song came to him when he was traveling through Oklahoma State, which is particularly barren of population. As he drove along he witnessed a telephone repairman who had climbed up a pole and was apparently listening to a conversation or conversations buzzing down the line. Webb's fruitful imagination pictured a scenario where the lineman was listening out for his lover "singing in the wire".