These three 1960s country songs are as poetic as you can get. They may not have the complexity of folk from this era or the in-your-face edge of 1960s rock, but they are still potently beautiful. Revisit them below to be reminded of how great the lyricism is in these hits.
“Wichita Lineman” — Glen Campbell
This pop-leaning country song is one of the most stunning in country music, and certainly one of the best from the 1960s. This simple song about love transcending time and space speaks volumes. We might not all relate to the difficulty of being away from loved ones on the job, but the universal ideas about longing hit every listener right in the heart.
“And I need you more than want you / And I want you for all time / And the Wichita lineman / Is still on the line,” the country lyrics read. This bridge is one of the best in 1960s country. Though simple and to the point, this message of devotion is potent.
“Funny How Time Slips Away” — Willie Nelson
Taken from Willie Nelson’s crooner years, this 1960s country song is deeply transportive. When this track comes on, the listener is sat down in a smoky barroom, reminiscing over love lost. “I heard you told him / That you’d love him ’til the end of time / Now that’s the same thing that you told me / Seems like just the other day,” the country lyrics read. They aren’t anything too heady, but they are visceral storytelling.
Nelson has long had a knack for telling simple but important stories. This track is a strong example of that talent. “I gotta go now / I guess I’ll see you around / Don’t know when though / Never know when I’ll be back in town,” he sings later in the song, rounding out this story of missed connection.
“Crazy” — Patsy Cline
Circling back to another Nelson-penned song, we have “Crazy”. Made famous by Patsy Cline, this track is another simple but beautiful song. “I knew / You’d love me as long as you wanted / And then someday / You’d leave me for somebody new,” the lyrics read. Country songs back in the 1960s weren’t as complex as some other genres in this time period, but they were nonetheless poetic. “Crazy” proves that simplicity can sometimes be just the right tonic for heartbreak.
(Photo by David Redfern/Redferns)
The post 3 Lyrics From Legendary 1960s Country Songs That Are Absolute Poetry appeared first on American Songwriter.
Author: Alex Hopper
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