About the Song
Glen Campbell’s iconic rendition of “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” is a poignant ballad that has resonated with audiences for decades. Written by the legendary Jimmy Webb, the song paints a vivid picture of a man grappling with loneliness, regret, and the passage of time.
Campbell’s smooth vocals and impeccable guitar playing perfectly capture the melancholy and longing expressed in the lyrics. The song’s simple yet evocative melody, combined with Webb’s poetic imagery, creates a timeless atmosphere that draws listeners in.
The lyrics of “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” tell a story of a man who is leaving a place he once called home. As he travels, he reflects on lost love, missed opportunities, and the weight of the past. The refrain, “By the time I get to Phoenix, I’ll be a different man,” suggests a sense of hope and transformation, a belief that things will be different when he reaches his destination.
Campbell’s version of the song became a massive hit in 1967, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Its popularity has endured over the years, cementing its place as a classic of American popular music.
“By the Time I Get to Phoenix” is a song that speaks to the universal human experiences of loss, longing, and the search for meaning. Its enduring appeal lies in its ability to evoke powerful emotions and connect with listeners on a deep level.
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Lyrics: “By The Time I Get To Phoenix”
By the time I get to Phoenix
She’ll be rising
She’ll find the note I left hanging on her door
She’ll laugh, when she reads the part that says I’m leaving
Cause I’ve left that girl, so many times beforeBy the time I make Albuquerque
She’ll be working
She’ll probably stop at lunch,
And give me a call
But she’ll just hear that phone keep on ringing
Off the wall, that’s allBy the time I make Oklahoma
She’ll be sleeping
She’ll turn softly and call my name out low
And she’ll cry, just to think, I’d really leave her
Though time and time I’ve tried to tell her so
She just didn’t know,
I would really go