Glen Campbell – Wichita Lineman lyrics

Glen Campbell – Wichita Lineman lyrics

I am a lineman for the county and I drive the main road
Searchin' in the sun for another overload
I hear you singin' in the wire, I can hear you through the whine
And the Wichita Lineman is still on the line

I know I need a small vacation but it don't look like rain
And if it snows that stretch down south won't ever stand the strain
And I need you more than want you, and I want you for all time
And the Wichita Lineman is still on the line

And I need you more than want you, and I want you for all time
And the Wichita Lineman is still on the line

Lyrics taken from /lyrics/g/glen_campbell/wichita_lineman.html

Songwriters: Jimmy Webb

Wichita Lineman lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

hot lyrics

Wichita Lineman meanings Post my meaning

Best
Recent
6 meanings

U

+ 14
Unregistered 2012-03-31 10:40:01

This song is what my dad did for over 40 years
he worked many a hours over time & in any weather condition (ice storms/etc) & he was dedicated to his job no matter what.
He started out working for his brothers electrical company then went to a coop then he started his own comapany
he had accidents (pole snapped/line getting turned on before he was done) & he still went back to doing lineman work after he got well enough
he even worked in other surrounding states during ice storms (ok/nm)
I worked with him & in an ice storm in nm & it's no fun climbing a pole with an inch or so of ice on it & the wind is blowing the snow, but that's what he did as his choice of a career
he died 02/17/12 & this song reminds me of what it takes to do this job & stay at it no matter what just like my dad did.

Add your reply
U

+ 5
Unregistered 2020-08-27 07:02:55

l ways felt that the reference to needing a vacation but it don't look like rain harkens back to the time (stilll much in evidence when I lived there) that rural words were largely unpaved and impassible when the occasional Kansas deluge came along, although he does say he works the main road (whatever that means)--he could have been looking for a rhyming couplet with strain. Power lines would frequently break or pull down under the weight of snow or rain. No railroad allusions I can see. I don't see this so much as a failed relationship but merely the tension between being a dutiful lineman and having a love interest. No hidden meaning here.

Add your reply
U

+ 4
Unregistered 2017-09-07 16:21:56

This song certainly has a connection to a railroad job, but it is much deeper. It's about a man who deeply loves a woman. Even in the chaos and noise of his job he can hear her melodious voice. He can hear her sweet songs. And those songs of her love for him help to feel sustained in the drudgery of duty to his job.

He wants so desperately to be near her, but he knows that his duty to completing his assignment is necessary to their life together. The last sentence that says, "I need you, more than want you, and I want you for all time, means that his feelings for her have gone well beyond a superficial love her. He truly loves her. She adds a spiritual depth and meaning to his heart and emotions. She has added a unique element of support in his life, and he understands that he can't live without her.

So he "needs" her doesn't just "want" her close physically because she is beautiful. She adds purpose to his existence. She helps to make sense of life. His message "I want you for all time" is saying I want to marry you.

He wants her to understand that regardless of miles, he hasn't disconnected with her ("I'm still on the line."). He wants her to understand that he's holding onto her, even though they are literally distanced. The gap of distance is closed through the love they have for one another. True love endures-despite the miles or the storms. He will return to her when he has finished his duty. What a sweet love story!

Add your reply
U

+ 3
Unregistered 2011-12-03 03:26:49

It describes one man's dedication to his job. Albeit a love/hate relationship. "someone has to do it. " contrary to popular belief. I feel it's a love song. But not about a woman. But about a man who loves his work. In spite of it all. "i can hear you singin' in the wire, i can hear you through the whine". I believe refers to the next "overload". Which any seasoned lineman is "tuned" into. It's the next overload…which keeps him employed…or should I say…"still on the line. " which he -needs" more than wants.

Add your reply
U

- 1
Unregistered 2019-04-10 20:03:36

This man’s love has left him. Possibly died and he is grieving. He hears and feels them everywhere. There is nothing for him at home now. He needs a short vacation, but he isn't taking it. He is still on the line. Waiting for their return or simply still committed to them after their death. There is even something quite melancholy about the music. A sad song.

Add your reply
U

- 1
Unregistered 2015-07-05 21:34:06

I've never thought about this song any other way than about what my Gpa did for a living. He helped build the railroad. Wichita Lineman! Raised his family in a box car for years. He wants his job but more than that he needs it to survive and raise his youngun.

Add your reply

Write about your feelings and thoughts about Wichita Lineman

Know what this song is about? Does it mean anything special hidden between the lines to you? Share your meaning with community, make it interesting and valuable. Make sure you've read our simple .

U

or log in with

Min 50 words

Not bad

Good

Awesome!

View 10 more explanations

Add your explanation

Write an explanation

20 words

Good

Cool

Awesome!

Explanation guidelines:

Describe what artist is trying to say in a certain line, whether it's personal feelings, strong statement or something else.
Provide song facts, names, places and other worthy info that may give readers a perfect insight on the song's meaning.
Add links, pictures and videos to make your explanation more appealing. Provide quotes to support the facts you mention.

Before you get started, be sure to check out these explanations created by our users: good, very good, great.

Request explanation

Ask us or our community about the part of the song that interests you
We will try to respond as soon as possible

0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z