I have to chime in here and say that Glen Campbell's version literally gives me chills. This man knows how to sing and play a song! There is something so authentic and sincere in his performances throughout.
Godspeed Rhinestone Cowboy. We lost a family friend and a great man today. Some of my first memories are of this talented and kind soul.. backstage in Vegas cheering his over-the-head solos. He touched our lives with smile and song and we will never forget him. Thank you Glen.
Nobody in the country music scene would come close to Glen with his guitar playing and that beautiful voice of his, he will always be with us in his music and songs What a legend. R.I.P. Glen.
I am 65-years old and have many favorites - The Righteous Brothers, The Temptations, Linda Ronstadt, and the list goes on. Glen Campbell without a doubt is the greatest singer-musician that has come from our generation. One night before one of 50-60+ concerts I've seen him at - I went up during the sound check before the show. He remembered me from our first meeting in 1961 !!! I said, "Glen, any chance of you singing, Hey, Little One?" He said "no problem my friend good to see you again - as started to sign some items for me." Just before the intermission, the stage went dark, one light came on Glen as he sat on a stool and just nailed, Hey, Little One. He made it look so easy. What a sweet man who is in a class all by himself. God Bless, Roger C.
Fantastic Glen Campbell version of this song, after his passing this song is very apt as he will always be around and I will carry on listening to this very talented musician, RIP Glen
What beautiful lyrics. First time I'm hearing this song tonight. Jimmy Webb, I hope you won many awards for this work. I'm getting close to the end myself, maybe it's why I love this song so much. And, Glen, no finer a musical instrument than you. I feel he is someone who will be celebrated for eons.
You’d need more than a _’starship’_ to better this performance! The passing of Glen Campbell has torn a black hole in the musical universe leaving behind a void that one billion stars could not hope to fill. R. I. P
This is simply the best recorded version of this Jimmy Webb tune. Nothing against Johnny, Waylon, Willie, and Kris - though Johnny Cash's cover of the 4th verse sends shivers down my spine. .....but this is epic. I saw Glen Campbell perform this twice and it's mind blowing.
+Rick Brash --- And his prior recording company refused to let him record it, and was the may cause of his switch. The wait was well worth it. He found the right way, the correct "pronunciation" of the materiel that Webb had put pencil & paper to. And on this nite, this nite he sent this into the ages.
Rick i agree this is an amazing performance but please listen to the one where he was backed by the Boston Pops in 1978. That orchestral arrangement blows even this out of the water. It is simply the best thing i have ever heard.
I remember when this concert was broadcast on PBS in 2000. I was just a casual fan of Glen back then, even though I grew up with his music. Now, many years later, he has become a personal hero of mine, and his music means so much to me. I saw him on his Goodbye Tour in Pittsburgh, PA in May 2012. Even with his illness he was nothing short of outstanding! This concert is available on Amazon on VHS only but it is very expensive. I'd love to someday see the whole show.
Kevin Hoffman I was lucky enough to see Glen in concert 4 times. 3 at the Andy Williams Moon River Theater in Branson (Glen had played there many times.) One time was with one of his daughters. I saw him in Ames, IA with the farewell tour where the back up band was some of his children...great to see they can have that experience. So fortunate to have seen him. He and Andy put on some great shows. Great showmen truly!
Glenn tried to get this song released for years. Eventually he actually laid down the guitar track for The Highwaymen (Waylon, Willie, Kris and JCash) to record. This is definitely the best version. He's a master.
Thank you for posting this video.Glen is one of a kind.I will hear him sing for eternity when God makes all things new. Jesus bless you and Glen Campbell. Jim
Jimmy Webb is certainly one of the greatest poets of the 20th AND 21st Centuries. Read the lyrics of this song as poetry. Glen OWNS this, lol, as well as every other Jimmy Webb song he's ever sung.
Jimmy Webb. I am 67 and you and Glen make me feel 25. I hate that he has to go through the alto- thing. I lost quite a few love ones that wAy. I. Was crying about Glen yesterday and my husband said "Well my God he is in his eighties." I just cannot believe he is that old. Is he?
After watching Glens health going down hill . more and more admire what he has done to please the human race, Sad, I will not stop using You tube to bring back his great contribution to music
I'm probably in the minority here, and I absolutely love big orchestras, but here they overpower Glen. I've heard him do this song with nothing more than a guitar and it's extremely moving. I also have to throw some props to the four gentlemen who also recorded it; love their version, also.
Listen to Glen perform this song with the Boston Pops orchestra backing him. I think it was in 1978. The video quality isn't great but the sound is really good. Can any of you think of a performer who is as talented playing a guitar and singing? Elvis had a great voice but he wasn't a musician. GC really had a rare gift.
Alex Wipfel that performance from 1978 with the Boston Pops is THE best hands down. This one was also amazing but that performance was another level for this song. No one did it better than Glen.
@TripeHoundRedux I totally agree!. The first time I heard this song, I was just in love with it ! I think if the producers pushed this song today, it would top the charts. Glen is the greatest. Jim T.
When I pass away I want to be cremated, I want my grandsons to spread my ashes on Lake Michigan while this song is played so loud that the world knows I lived. And I will come back as a single drop of rain.
At 2:00 the camera tracks right as Campbell travels ever so slightly left & it is quite impressive. I love this video. It's a true wonderment upon the earth.
Maybe this song can give you "highwayman/*woman" back, the leading idea of the United States of America. We Europeans are working hard on our new European Union. It is a pretty hard job to glue together all these different cultures. Please do us a big favor and lead by example! Hugs and Kisses from Germany and a big Thank You for all you did (and died) for us! We Europeans "play" the Knights. Please USA play the "Highwayman" part. If we play together well, we can have Boing, Airbus, BMW, Harley Davidson, SAP, Apple ... the greatest Beer in the World and... the best Whiskey! Unbeatable in Unity!
Actually it was released by Glen on the "Highwayman" album, i dont think it charted well, but i remember running out to buy the album when I first heard it. it also contained his tribute to his good friend Elvis called "Hound Dog Man" which was also released to country radio.
So im probably much younger than most of the commenters here. I was introduced to this song from the videogame Grand Theft Auto V but it was the The Highwayman group version with Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson and Waylon Jennings. Its a really great song by those four but I kind of wish they had put this version instead.
+emufan1 According to Glen, their version made the song, which had languished since it was penned. And in 1985 it charted at #1 for them. Kinda puts a punctuation on it.
This should have been a hit for GC. I think Columbia said no. I may be wrong, but the outlaws cannot beat this classy version of man's struggle to prevail, not merely endure.
Of course I love the version by the "Highwaymen", but I love this version as well. Not sure if you know that Jimmy Webb wrote this song along with three of Glen's mega hits, "Galveston", "Wichita Lineman" and "By the Time I Get to Phoenix."
Anything Glen Campbell touches is golden, but I think the best thing he ever did with this song was to bring it to Nelson, Cash, Jennings, and Kristofferson. Campbell nails the music, but The Highwaymen bring the swagger. I learned only today that this is a Jimmy Webb song. Why am I not surprised?
Even if you agree or disagree who is better...Glen Campbell was the first singer to record the song...Google this "Jimmy Webb's Story Behind The Highwayman"
You might want to try it a little differently- Am, G, Dm, F, AM; G, F, C, G; Dm, Am, G, Fmaj7 (that's the F with the open high E); then Am, G, F, G, Am; F, G. That adds some color to it, I think.
It was this song, and the record label's lack of support, which caused Glen to switch labels. Of course he was proven right about 4-5 years later when The Highwaymen had a huge hit with it. Glen's recorded original is superior, in my opinion.
Glen or the Highwaymen....seriously who gives a shit....all are legends and playing music that will never be bettered...rejoice that you are privileged to listen to this
It's clean, bright and straight. "and around, and around, and around." "and again, and again, and again." Try it with just the recording in that concert with the SD Orchestra. It's better that way.
@qzw8mk Agree..the orchestra is overpowering Glen. Again, I think the four individual voices really makes the difference. Do love Glen's guitar work, as usual.
@EclecticHillbilly Disagree - Johnny Cash is a mighty fine vocalist and I really do think that the Highwaymen as a group did a better job on this song. C'mon man, Glen has so many hits I am sure he did not do well on a few songs, such as The Highwayman!
Personally I much prefer GC's, and Webbs even more so, to the one done by The Highwaymen. I like them individually but their version of this is far from my favourite. :)
