About the song
Let’s take a stroll down memory lane with the soothing melodies of “Gentle on My Mind” by the incomparable Glen Campbell. Released in 1967 as the title track of his album, this timeless ballad remains a beloved classic in the world of country music.
Penned by the esteemed songwriter John Hartford, “Gentle on My Mind” quickly captivated audiences with its heartfelt lyrics and Campbell’s soulful delivery. It climbed the charts, reaching the number one spot on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and earning Campbell two Grammy Awards for Best Country & Western Solo Vocal Performance and Best Country & Western Recording in 1968.
The song’s evocative lyrics, inspired by Hartford’s experiences as a wanderer, struck a chord with listeners, capturing the essence of wanderlust and the longing for freedom. Campbell’s velvety voice and impeccable phrasing brought the song to life, earning him widespread acclaim and solidifying his status as a country music icon.
Decades after its release, “Gentle on My Mind” remains a cherished favorite among fans of all ages. Its enduring popularity is a testament to the timeless beauty of Glen Campbell’s music and the universal appeal of its themes.
So, let’s bask in the gentle embrace of “Gentle on My Mind” as we celebrate Glen Campbell’s legacy and the lasting impact of his music on generations of listeners.
Video
Lyrics
It’s knowing that your door is always open
And your path is free to walk
That makes me tend to leave my sleeping bag
Rolled up and stashed behind your couch
And it’s knowing I’m not shackled
By forgotten words and bonds
And the ink stains that are dried upon some line
That keeps you in the back roads by the rivers of my memory
That keeps you ever gentle on my mind
It’s not clinging to the rocks and ivy
Planted on their columns now that bind me
Or something that somebody said
Because they thought we fit together walking
It’s just knowing that the world will not be cursing or forgiving
When I walk along some railroad track and find
That you’re moving on the back roads by the rivers of my memory
And for hours you’re just gentle on my mind
Though the wheat fields and the clothes lines
And the junkyards and the highways come between us
And some other woman’s cryin’ to her mother
‘Cause she turned and I was gone
I still might run in silence, tears of joy might stain my face
And the summer sun might burn me ’til I’m blind
But not to where I cannot see you
Walkin’ on the back roads, by the rivers flowing gentle on my mind
I dip my cup of soup back
From a gurglin’ cracklin’ Calderon in some train yard
My beard, a roughening’ coal pile
And a dirty hat pulled low across my face, through cupped hands
‘Round the tin can, I pretend to hold you to my breast and find
That you’re waiting from the back roads by the rivers of my memories
Ever smilin’, ever gentle on my mind