Johnny Cash - Wichita Lineman

'Wichita Lineman' was written by Jimmy Web and first recorded by Glenn Campell. This is a great cover by Johnny Cash.

Lyrics:
I am a lineman for the county.
And I drive the mainroad.
Lookin' in the sun for another overload.

I hear you singing in the wire. Chorus 1
I can hear you thru 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.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Wichita Lineman
• Johnny Cash
• Cover
• Glenn Campell
• Unearthed

[MrEdyoulis]

When he sings "And I need you more than want you. And I want you for all time" you can hear the ache for June in his voice. Chokes me up every time.

[cathedralprime]

I loved Campbell's original but Cash owns it here.

Me n' the old man shared a whiskey to this one.

[RyanDouglasVA]

James Taylor is 10000000000 times better. So is Campbell

[ordoabciao]

God invented Johnny Cash so men wouldn't be ashamed to cry

[TheOriginalMoc]

cash is king

[Annettesmusic]

Was never much of a fan 'till I heard this song. Actually stumbled upon it while looking for Ray Charles' version. What Johnny does with it moved me deeply. It is so real.  Almost ordinary sounding and yet it touches you so close to heart. This song always makes me cry when ever I hear Glen sings it. But Johnny brings a "down to earthiness" that relates in a whole 'nother way. Absolutely love this version. Thanks for posting it.

[ThisisTedWells]

this is just an amazing cover..

[stralioni]

And just when you think you heard the best songs Johnny Cash, you find this one. Legend!

[lorinhl]

@sufc94 Indeed. It's Cash and he's not trying to prove anything because he doesn't need to. Is it my favorite version? No, but it's powerful and real in a way that today's music sadly misses. His voiced changed a lot as the years rolled along--every stage had a lot to say and a lot beneath the surface. You either get it, or you don't. Great comment.

[sufc94]

people keep saying he's not captured this song in the same way as his others, to me that's the point. It's dry, bitter and has an element of pain to it, one that ignites passion within his voice. I like the fact that it's so rough in places, it highlights how the song writer feels. It's cash, he doesn't need to capture a song. you're all missing the point

[captaincornflake1]

this is just excellent, what a voice Johnny had .

[1hedgeful]

i found the way mr Cash has sang it makes me rember being a son and now a dad, now whats that all about, is it the whiskey, the denial of tomorrow i dont know happy daze loved it yeah, took me back to ford cortinas and jimmy savile, sunday roasts!