Top 10 Glen Campbell Songs

Photo: CBS Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Our Top 10 Glen Campbell songs list presents ten sensational moments in Glen Campbell’s musical career. Glen Campbell released more studio albums than almost any other artist. He beat James Brown’s record of 59 studio albums by one, as Campbell released 60 studio albums. Glen Campbell also released 115 singles. Not only was Glen Campbell an affluent recording artist, but he was also an actor who appeared in multiple films and television shows. He also hosted his musical variety show, The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour, on CBS from 1969 to 1972.

# 10 –Turn Around, Look at Me

We open this Glen Campbell songs list with the song “Turn Around, Look At Me.” It is the first song ever released by Glen Campbell to appear on the Billboard music charts. The song was written by Jerry Capehart and Glen Campbell and released in October 1961. It’s a sweet way to open up this Glen Campbell songs list. It’s a tender song, the first of many to be released by the legendary Glen Campbell.

# 9 – True Grit

Glen Campbell’s role as Le Boeuf opposite John Wayne in True Grit was one for the ages. They both had great chemistry in the movie, though Kim Darby stole the show. Nonetheless, a genuinely great song also came from the film. Presented here is the dynamic cut “True Grit.” The song was released as a single in 1969. It was a top 10 hit on both the Billboard Country charts and the Adult Contemporary charts. It also broke the Billboard top 40 on the mainstream charts. It is a great film and a great song!

# 8 – Let It Be Me

In 1968, Glen Campbell teamed up with singer Bobbie Gentry and released the duet album entitled Bobbie Gentry and Glen Campbell. Over the years, the album has achieved cult status among fans. “Let It Be Me” was the third single released from the album. The song was written by Gilbert Bécaud, Mann Curtis, and Pierre Delanoé. The song “Let It Be Me” is widely covered by many artists. The Elvis Presley and the Gentry Campbell recordings stand as the definitive versions.

# 7 – It’s Only Make Believe

Everyone loved The Glen Campbell Goodtime Album. The full-length vinyl album was released in 1970. The song “It’s Only Make Believe” was written by the legendary Conway Twitty and Jack Nance. The song was initially recorded by Conway Twitty in 1958. Twitty had a massive hit with the song. Twelve years later, Glen Campbell succeeded with “It’s Only Make Believe.” Glen Campbell’s version was a top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. The song also broke the top 10 on many other music charts worldwide. The song was a smash hit for Campbell in 1970.

# 6 – Galveston

The following six Glen Campbell songs are all masterpieces. They are gems in so many ways. The sound of Glen Campbell’s earnest voice, backed with these brilliant orchestrations, cut straight through to the heart. How could anyone not enjoy these songs? “Galveston” is a cinematic musical treasure. The song served as the title track to Glen Campbell’s Galveston album. The record was released in 1969. The song was written by the master songwriter Jimmy Webb. “Galveston” was a top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 for Glen Campbell. It peaked at number four. “Galveston” did even better on the Billboard Country charts, hitting number one.

# 5 – Southern Nights

Starting the second half of our Glen Campbell songs list, we turn to Glen Campbell’s late seventies hit “Southern Nights.” This sounds nothing like the music Glen Campbell released in the 1960s and early 1970s. Everyone can find a little bit of everything in this one. The song, written by Allen Toussaint, defines some of that New Orleans rhythm-and-blues style while incorporating a country guitar twang, backed by a big bass drum sound, perfect for the popular dance floors of the disco era. “Southern Nights” was a number-one hit for Glen Campbell. It hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1977.

# 4 – Gentle on My Mind

At number four on this top 10 Glen Campbell songs list, we go back to the late 1960s. Glen Campbell’s single “Gentle On My Mind” was released on the album of the same name in 1967. The song won four Grammy Awards. While it may not have broken the Billboard Top 10, the song did win four Grammy Awards. It is one of the most beautiful songs ever written. The song was composed by John Hartford. Multiple artists, including a great version by Aretha Franklin have covered it.

# 3 – By The Time I Get To Phoenix

This one happens to be a personal favorite. It’s such a sad song. It’s probably one of the most heartbreaking breakup songs ever written. Jimmy Webb knew how to write them. Once again, the song served as the title track for another great Glen Campbell album, “By The Time I Get To Phoenix.” The album’s title track single was a top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. It hit number two on the Billboard Country charts. Hands down, this one is simply magnificent. Jimmy Webb and Glen Campbell nailed it many times. This was one of their finest moments.

# 2 -Rhinestone Cowboy

Glen Campbell had many great moments on record in the 1960s and ’70s. This one was one of his most successful. Words can’t describe how big this song was in 1975. You could not turn the radio dial without bumping into a station playing this song. The song hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard Country charts. It seemed to stay there the entire summer of 1975; the only song bigger than “Rhinestone Cowboy” that year was Captain & Tennille’s “Love Will Keep Us Together.”

The song “Rhinestone Cowboy” was written by Larry Weiss. “Rhinestone Cowboy” is a song that has endured over the years. Even Bruce Springsteen, who released his groundbreaking album Born To Run in 1975, just recently closed his 2021 television special on Apple TV with a beautiful version of “Rhinestone Cowboy.”

# 1 – Wichita Lineman

We close our Glen Campbell songs list with the classic song “Wichita Lineman.” While this song may not have been as commercially successful as some of the other songs on this list, it stands as our favorite Glen Campbell song. The song’s opening line, “I am a lineman for the county,” may just well be the most excellent opening melody of any song ever written. It never gets old, and Campbell delivered it perfectly. The song’s ending is also so classic. In a song filled with so many beautiful moments, there was just no way we could not place this at number one. This is Jimmy Webb’s most extraordinary composition.