The ULTIMATE Wichita Lineman Guitar Lesson

Bob Dylan is often thought of as one of the greatest songwriters of all time.

But in an interview, he was once asked what he thought was the greatest song ever written…

What was Bob’s response?

“Wichita Lineman”

And many people agree with Bob… 

In fact, this song has moved the world.

So today I want to share with you the ULTIMATE Wichita Lineman guitar lesson.

We’ll unpack the history of this song, the chord progressions, and even the iconic guitar solo.

So tune up, and let’s get started! 

Who wrote Wichita Lineman? 

"Wichita Lineman" is a classic song written by American songwriter Jimmy Webb. It was made famous by the iconic American country singer Glen Campbell, who recorded and released it in 1968 as a single and included it on his album of the same name. 

The song was recorded at the famous Capitol Studios in Hollywood, California. It featured the skilled and emotive guitar work of session musician James Burton, which contributed to its distinctive sound. The song's production, arrangement, and performance are often respected as a masterpiece in the genre. 

"Wichita Lineman" was a critical and commercial success. It reached the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and also became a crossover hit, peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song's beautiful melody, evocative lyrics, and Campbell's heartfelt performance all played a role in its lasting popularity.

The song has received numerous accolades and recognitions over the years. In 2010, the Library of Congress added it to the National Recording Registry, highlighting its cultural and historical significance. It has been covered by many artists across various genres and continues to be celebrated as a timeless classic in the world of music. "Wichita Lineman" remains one of Glen Campbell's most beloved songs.

Who originally sang Wichita Lineman?

The original singer of "Wichita Lineman" was Glen Campbell. He recorded the song, written by Jimmy Webb, and released it as a single in 1968. 

Glen Campbell, born in 1936 in Billstown, Arkansas, was an iconic American musician and singer who had a big impact on country, pop, and rock music. 

Raised in a large, musically inclined family, Campbell learned to play the guitar at an early age. He initially gained recognition as a sought-after session musician in Los Angeles during the early 1960s, contributing his guitar skills to recordings for music legends like Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, and the Beach Boys.

In the late 1960s and 1970s, Glen Campbell set out on a solo career and was a success. He released a string of hit songs and albums that crossed genre boundaries. 

His songs, such as "Wichita Lineman," "Gentle on My Mind," "Rhinestone Cowboy," and "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," blended elements of country, pop, and rock, making him a favorite among a wide-ranging audience. 

Campbell's talents extended beyond music, as he hosted his own television variety show and even ventured into acting, starring alongside John Wayne in the original version of "True Grit." Throughout his career, he earned numerous accolades, including Grammy Awards, Country Music Association (CMA) Awards, and American Music Awards. His hit song "Rhinestone Cowboy" also became a massive crossover success.

Wichita Lineman Chords:

There are three main sections to Wichita Lineman the intro, the A section, and the B section.

Let’s break down the chords in each from the top.

The tune kicks off with a bass line riff and then the chords go from an Fmaj7 to a Bb/C one bar each. 

I play Fmaj7 from the 5th string down and in the 5th position like this:

Then for Bb/C, I use just one finger like this:

Then we kick into the A section with the lyrics…

“I am a lineman for the county…”

Here we’ll play a 7-bar chord progression and use 8 chords total. 

Each chord lasts 1 bar. Except for when we get to the Dm7 and the Am7, those two chords are both in the same bar.

Bbmaj7 is played in the 5th position and I use my fretting hand thumb on the bass note like this:

Then Fsus2/A is a beautiful chord played in the 5th position as well like this:

Gm7 shifts down to the 3rd fret like so:

Dm7 and Am7 are both played in the same bar like this:

Then the last 3 chords go back to one bar each we’ll play G, Dsus4, and D like this:

After these 7 bars, the progression finishes with 10 more bars. 

It starts with 2 bars of C like this:

Then back to one bar per chord for the remainder of the progression.

Here we’ll go G/B, Gm/Bb, D/A, G/A, Bb, C, Bb, Bb/C

Then it goes back to the top of the A section and repeats over and over…

What key is Wichita Lineman in?

“Wichita Lineman” is in the key of F major. But the final chord is a D major chord. D is the 6th scale degree of F major. However, instead of the typical minor chord quality it would be in the diatonic scale, it’s a D major. This is a genius songwriting move. And a common progression Jimmy Webb used in many of his songs.

Wichita Lineman Easy Chords: 

Since Wichita Lineman has many bar chords and just overall a more complicated chord progression. An easier way to play it is to use a capo on the 5th fret.

Here is a video on how to do just that:

Wichita Lineman Guitar Solo:

For the guitar solo, Glen improvised an instrumental that has become iconic.

This solo is playing off the melody of the tune. It serves as the third verse of the song. While the band underneath still plays the same changes.

Glen played it on a baritone guitar, that legend has belonged to the renowned Los Angeles bassist and Wrecking Crew member, Carol Kaye.

Here is a lesson explaining how to play the guitar as Glen played it on a baritone guitar.

Remember a baritone guitar is a longer scale guitar that allows it to be tuned to a lower pitch.

I tuned mine to B standard. This is a popular choice. 

Here's how you can tune your baritone guitar to B Standard:

• Start with the low E string: To reach B Standard tuning, you need to lower the pitch of all your strings. Begin by adjusting your low E string (the thickest string) down to B. Use a chromatic tuner to ensure accuracy, or you can reference your other strings if they are already in the correct tuning.
• Tune the A string to match: Now that your low E string is in B, you can tune your A string to match the 5th fret of the low E string. Placing your finger on the 5th fret of the low E string should produce the same pitch as the open A string.
• Tune the D string to match: Similarly, use the 5th fret of the A string as a reference to tune the D string. This will ensure the correct pitch for the D string.
• Tune the G string to match: Following the pattern, the 4th fret of the D string serves as your reference for tuning the G string. The G string should match the pitch of the 4th fret of the D string.
• Tune the B string to match: The 5th fret of the G string can be used as a reference to tune the B string.
• Tune the high E string to match: Finally, the 5th fret of the B string will help you tune your high E string to the correct pitch.

Double-check your tuning: After tuning all the strings, play some chords and single notes to verify that the entire guitar is in tune. Make any necessary adjustments to ensure each string is correctly tuned to B Standard (B E A D F# B).

Conclusion 

To wrap it up, "Wichita Lineman" is an excellent example of genius songwriting. Jimmy Webb and the unparalleled talent of Glen Campbell pack a punch. 

Remember this song has more complex chord changes in it than most pop, rock, and blues tunes so take your time as you work through it. And for another classic guitar song check out this While My Guitar Gently Weeps guitar lesson next!