CAFFE` LATTE` TOP 2000 TRACKS

THE TOP 100

#77 WICHITA LINEMAN

GLEN CAMPBELL

(1968)

Writers: Jimmy Webb
 

Country artist Glen Campbell had been releasing singles since 1958. Most of his income derived from session work which saw him perform for the likes of Elvis Presley, Bobby Darin, The Mamas and The Papas, Ricky Nelson, The Beach Boys and Dean Martin.  Among the notable #1 recordings Campbell played on are The Monkees'  "I'm A Believer" and Frank Sinatra's "Strangers in the Night". In 1961, "Turn Around Look At Me" was his 1st solo release to dent any US charts, but his 1st crossover hit was "By The Time I Get To Phoenix" 6 years later. That song was penned by Jimmy Webb. The following year, "Wichita Lineman", another Webb composition, fared even better. 
The idea for the song came to the songwriter while driving. He noticed a solitary lineman working while perched on a telephone pole. Webb offered the song to Campbell. Al De Lory produced the recording. Campbell loved the way Webb's demo had sounded so much, that to recapture the same feel, Webb's organ was transported from his residence to the recording studio. 
"Wichita Lineman" was a massive success for Campbell. The single reached #1 on the American Country and Adult Contemporary charts. It also made the top of both the Pop and Country charts in Canada. The disc peaked at #7 in Britain.
The 1970s proved to be a lucrative decade for the country crossover musician. Campbell had his own TV show. Behind the scenes, however, the performer was battling with his addiction to drugs and alcohol. He overcame his addiction in the 1980s. Campbell continued recording and touring into the new century.
In 2011, the 75 year-old announced he had Alzheimer's disease. Despite the diagnosis, Campbell recorded a new album entitled 'Ghost on the Canvas'. 'See You there' followed 2 years later and featured revisits to his back catalogue. A re-recording of "Wichita Lineman" was included among its tracks. Around the same time, the music veteran embarked on a farewell world tour.

This is a list made up of the songs I enjoy the most, ranked in order of preference: the higher we go, the more I cherish them. Some were released as singles, others as album tracks. Some are obscure; others were worldwide hits or have universal appeal. They aren't always the most famous or popular, but simply a personal choice. I have excluded songs from the last few years in order to get a better idea of a song's lasting impression. I hope you find some new tracks to love, or re-discover some past favourites.

A new song from the remaining Top 100 is added each weekday, while another 2 are also included from positions 1501-2000 daily. Check back here every 12 hours for an update of the 2000.