My Gen X Playlist: Wichita Lineman – REM

I remember sitting in the back of our wood paneled station wagon in the 1970s as a young kid. The radio was set to “mom’s music” as we sat in Southern California traffic. It was my early years, I must have been about 5 or 6 years old at the time. At that age, we didn’t have a say on the radio station. It was mom’s car, therefore, mom’s music. Even if given the choice, we would have drawn a blank anyway. But from those car rides, I heard Glen Campbell’s Wichita Lineman. I just didn’t know it. The song didn’t register until years later when I’d recall the melody and discover one of the most beautiful lyrics ever.

Fast forward 30 years. I was searching YouTube for obscure REM cover songs and I came upon their cover of Wichita Lineman. Michael Stipe’s vocals were both haunting and beautiful at the same time.

“I need you more than want you, and I want you for all time”

I must have listened to it about 20 times that day. Even now, I still go back and listen to REM’s cover.

Over the years, I also searched for other band’s cover of this song. There is a great collaboration between Glen Campbell and the Stone Temple Pilots. It’s pretty cool when two completely different artist collaborate. It doesn’t always work out. Thank god this one did.

Glen Campbell’s Wichita Lineman is not the obvious choice when you think of songs about memorable vacations. In fact, the song is not about a vacation at all. But the thought of a telephone lineman alone in the sweltering heat, in the middle of nowhere, “needing a vacation” and yearning to be home with his love. Well, that got me.

I’m not sure if the younger (or even the not so younger) generation has ever heard of this song. I hope one day they discover it. If this is your first time hearing it, enjoy.

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For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

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