Wichita Lineman - Jimmy Webb (HQ)

From "Ten Easy Pieces"

[wcomley]

In my humble opinion this version of Wichita Lineman by the man himself is absolutely incredible!!! Fantastic piece of music!

[edwardskinner]

"And I need you more than want you, and I want you for all time... May be the most romantic line ever written for a song.

[robinjackson]

this song stole my heart when my beloved was overseas in 1968. we watched people dying every night on tv . I was so afraid and this song helped me keep it together. i love it as much as I loved him. For all time....

[bgeisler]

This version is so amazing. The voice, the piano, the way it hints at eternity. Sounds waves magically gliding through telephone lines circling the globe to tell someone you love them from the ends of the world. A voice, a piano, and a guitar doing all that. I could listen to this forever.

[deebillingsley]

A lot of people don't know this but, Bob Dylan once said that Wichita Lineman by Jimmy Webb was the greatest song ever written.

[timothystern]

Billy Joel said that Wichita Lineman was about, "An ordinary man thinking extraordinary thoughts".Jimmy Webb wrote it and said, "The song invites you to look at everybody in a slightly different way and never to assume that because a guy is digging a ditch, that he isn't thinking about something altogether different."

[JamieAndersonMusic]

One of the most beautiful melodies ever written. Genius.

[thomastillman]

"And I need you more than want you, and I want you for all time".  That lyric was a great career. 

[samwharton]

This is the most beautiful song ever written and this is the best version ever recorded.

[chuckshelnutt]

I hear you "singing" in the wire. I can hear you through the "whine." Singing and whine both refer to the 60 cycle hum you hear in transformers and power lines, but are especially audible in high voltage power lines. No one writes lyrics quite like Webb!

[electrojones]

This song never fails to bring about a feeling of existential loss and pain in me. It's amazing.

[mattkellahan]

The way the tonality of the chords shift in unison with the sentiment of the lyrics is so expressive
' and I need this version more than Glen Campbell's version, and I want Glen Campbell's version for all time'

[MrSOLOPIANIST]

What a stunningly beautiful evocation. Even as a lifelong fan of Mr Webb and well aware of his many fine achievements I am yet again staggered by the magnificence and beauty of this arrangement. And I speak as a professional pianist from across the pond. Bravo Jimmy. Fullest evermore respect

[JohnWilliamHarvey]

This song evokes nostalgia to the point of sadness, it could have been joy, but no...that is the beauty of art. One of his greatest gifts.

[constanceegert]

This IS the best song ever written! There are absolutely no words to decribe how this song has affected so many. Thank you so much, Jimmy Webb. We can't thank you enough!

[RFXLR]

This is an incredible version of his own song. Simply beautiful.

[ericschneider]

Very Nice, having been a lineman for over 10 years this is a very nice tribute to those that serve our public with little or no recognition, thank you.
.

[lostballintallgrass]

" And I need you more than want you and I want you for all time...". Being profound and simple is a lasting gift and art form.

[dave]

This is this best song of all time. It is poignant, timeless and nearly impossible to define. Look at the depth and breadth of the cover versions and the genres that those artists normally perform in. Amazing. I think no matter what our lot in life is we can relate to that lineman up on the wire on that desolate stretch of road. The loneliness, the sense of loss, but also the independence and freedom.

[warrenshacklette]

Sometimes, not often, a song and a performance seems to slip into your soul and stay forever.  that just happened to me as I listen to this for the first time.