Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Throwback To Glen Campbell Songs That Are As Legendary As He Is

The Best of the Best: Top 10 Glen Campbell Hit Songs
by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

Glen Campbell’s fusion of country and pop melodies – bolstered by his smooth vocals – truly made him one of the most popular artists and leading figures of the late ’60s to ’70s. Glen Campbell songs did not only become country hits, but they even crossed over to the pop charts as well.

Indeed, the Country Music Hall of Famer was a staple to the genre for the past half-century. In fact, he managed to release over 70 albums to his name, racked up Grammy-winning tracks, and yielded a steady stream of Top Ten singles.

So, to celebrate his illustrious career, here are some of Glen Campbell‘s greatest hits through the years.

1. “I Wanna Live”

From: Hey Little One (1968)

Campbell earned his first No. 1 hit on the country chart, thanks to “I Wanna Live” – which was released as the lead single from his eight-studio album. The country ballad spent three non-consecutive weeks atop Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.

2. “Wichita Lineman”

From: Wichita Lineman (1968)

Written by songwriting legend and Campbell’s frequent collaborator, Jimmy Webb, the song was inspired by a lonesome telephone lineman working at the top of a telephone pole. “Wichita Lineman” received countless positive reviews, such as being included in Rolling Stone magazine’s list of 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

3. “Galveston”

From: Galveston (1969)

“Galveston,” which is a city on the coast of Texas, tells the story of a terrified soldier leaving to join a war and the girl he will leave behind in his hometown. 

Ever since its release, it has become an unofficial anthem of the city as well as at Galveston Island.

4. “Rhinestone Cowboy”

From: Rhinestone Cowboy (1975)

When Campbell heard “Rhinestone Cowboy” on the radio during his tour in Australia, he decided to learn it. After all, no one could relate to the song more than the country singer did – being a small-town boy raised in the tiny community of Arkansas.

5. “Southern Nights”

From: Southern Nights (1977)

Campbell decided to record “Southern Nights” as it reminded him of his rural childhood in Arkansas, and it turned out to be such a huge hit. The song reached No. 1 on three different charts in the United States.

6. “Try a Little Kindness”

From: Try a Little Kindness (1969)

Campbell showed his versatility in “Try a Little Kindness,” which did not only peak at No. 2 on the country charts but also went No. 1 for a week on the Hot Adult Contemporary chart, at the same time reaching No. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100.

7. “Dreams of the Everyday Housewife”

From: Wichita Lineman (1968)

When it was released, there were plenty of American women who relate to the song, especially that the image of a happy housewife that’s often depicted on TV shows and magazines doesn’t match with reality.

8. “Country Boy (You Got Your Feet in L.A.)”

From: Rhinestone Cowboy (1975)

When the song went to No. 11 on Billboard Hot 100, Campbell became one of the first country singers to enjoy a crossover success. The song’s worthy story of a redneck trapped in the big city cemented Campbell’s reputation as country-pop bonafide.

9. “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle”

From: Still within the Sound of My Voice (1987)

This ode to mothers is one of Campbell’s latter hits, and it represents how great the country legend is when it comes to country music storytelling. 

10. “Gentle on My Mind”

From: Gentle On My Mind (1967)

This country ballad, “Gentle on My Mind,” dominated Grammy Awards in 1968 – winning in four categories, including Best Country & Western Solo Vocal Performance, Male. Not only that, but it has received more than five million plays on the radio.

11. “True Grit”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COYExBd2ztg
From: True Grit Soundtrack (1969)

“True Grit” was one of the many songs of Campbell featured in film and television – this time, it’s for the 1969 Western film that starred an aging John Wayne while Campbell played an unforgettable role as La Boeuf.

12. “Ghost on the Canvas”

From: Ghost on the Canvas (2011)

Campbell recorded the song – which sings about the place between life and death – during the early stages of his Alzheimer’s disease. He went on promoting the song despite his diagnosis.

13. “I’m Not Gonna Miss You”

From: Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me (2014)

Co-written by Campbell himself, the poignant ballad is the last song he ever recorded. It made references to his battle with Alzheimer’s disease and served as a message to his wife and children.

14. “Arkansas Farmboy”

From: Adios (2017)

Written by bluegrass musician Carl Jackson, “Arkansas Farmboy” is actually based upon the childhood stories Campbell told him – including growing up in a big farming family.

15. “By the Time I Get to Phoenix”

From: By the Time I Get to Phoenix (1967)

By early 1967, Capitol Records continued pushing Campbell as a country recording artist, and their efforts did not go futile as his breakthrough finally arrived – thanks to “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” which reached No. 2 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart and even took home two Grammy Awards.

Here Are Some More Glen Campbell Songs That Are As Iconic As He Is

Indeed, Glen Campbell’s music has been a constant in the lives of countless country fans. Below are some more of his hits that you need to check out!

  • “Manhattan, Kansas”
  • “She’s Gone, Gone, Gone”
  • “Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream)”
  • “It’s Just a Matter of Time”
  • “It’s Only Make Believe”
  • “Don’t Pull Your Love / Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye”
  • “A Lady Like You”
  • “Everything a Man Could Ever Need”
  • “Still Within the Sound of My Voice”
  • “All I Have to Do Is Dream” 

How about you? Which among these Glen Campbell songs left a mark in your heart?

Latest Stories

Don Williams and Emmylou Harris Deliver a Classic Duet With "If I Needed You"

Don Williams and Emmylou Harris Deliver a Classic Duet With “If I Needed You”

When Don Williams and Emmylou Harris came together for their duet of “If I Needed You,” they gave life to one of country music’s most cherished ballads. Originally written and ...

Randy Travis and Josh Turner Deliver a Heavenly Performance of "Three Wooden Crosses"

Randy Travis and Josh Turner Deliver a Heavenly Performance of “Three Wooden Crosses”

When Randy Travis and Josh Turner joined forces for a 2006 episode of CMT Cross Country, it was a meeting of country music generations that fans won’t soon forget among ...

Vince Gill and Patty Loveless Honor a Classic With "After the Fire Is Gone"

Vince Gill and Patty Loveless Honor a Classic With “After the Fire Is Gone”

In 2015, Vince Gill and Patty Loveless graced the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame stage with a performance that remains etched in the hearts of country music fans. Their ...

George Strait and Grandson Harvey's Emotional "God and Country Music" Performance

George Strait and Grandson Harvey’s Emotional “God and Country Music” Performance

In 2019, George Strait reminded fans why he’s called the King of Country when he released “God and Country Music” as part of his album Honky Tonk Time Machine. The ...

Kelly Clarkson's "Here's A Quarter" Cover Brings New Life to a Classic

Kelly Clarkson’s “Here’s A Quarter” Cover Brings New Life to a Classic

Kelly Clarkson has a knack for turning iconic songs into showstoppers, and her take on Travis Tritt’s fiery anthem, “Here’s a Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares),” is no exception. During ...

Kelly Clarkson's Stunning Cover of “Smoky Mountain Rain” Showcases Her Country Roots

Kelly Clarkson’s Stunning Cover of “Smoky Mountain Rain” Showcases Her Country Roots

Kelly Clarkson’s Kellyoke performances have given fans countless memorable moments. Still, her heartfelt rendition of Ronnie Milsap’s “Smoky Mountain Rain,” aired on The Kelly Clarkson Show on June 1, 2022, ...

Alan Jackson and Hank Jr. Bring "The Blues Man" to Life With Unforgettable Duet

Alan Jackson and Hank Jr. Bring “The Blues Man” to Life With Unforgettable Duet

There are moments in country music that feel like they were destined to happen—moments when two titans of the genre come together to remind the world why country music remains ...

This Teen's Take on 'Folsom Prison Blues' Feels Like a Johnny Cash Revival

This Teen’s Take on ‘Folsom Prison Blues’ Feels Like a Johnny Cash Revival

There’s something electrifying about a young performer bringing a legend’s music to life. At just 14 years old, Haavard Nilsen didn’t just perform Johnny Cash’s classic “Folsom Prison Blues”—he embodied ...

Lorrie Morgan's Dramatic Take on the Classic "A Picture of Me (Without You)"

Lorrie Morgan’s Dramatic Take on the Classic “A Picture of Me (Without You)”

When it comes to heartbreak anthems, few songs hit as hard as “A Picture of Me (Without You).” Originally recorded by George Jones in 1972, the song is a country ...

Four-Year-Old Braydon's Precious Cover of "As Soon as I Hang Up the Phone" Will Melt Your Heart

Four-Year-Old Braydon’s Precious Cover of “As Soon as I Hang Up the Phone” Will Melt Your Heart

In country music, legends like Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty have given us timeless classics that continue to resonate across generations. But in 2014, one pint-sized performer brought fresh life ...

Leave a Comment

For security, use of Google's reCAPTCHA service is required which is subject to the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.