A Whole Greater Than The Sum Of Its Parts

[Clay Anderson Johnson]

Some songs have the ability to be more than themselves.  They transcend their lyrics and form to describe the human condition.

 

Last night I was listening to Glenn Campbell perform Jimmy Webb’s Wichita Lineman which is one such song.  It tells of a man working a lonely, dangerous, low paying job because of his love for his wife.

 

It does so in a concise, brief manner using very simple words.  It evokes an image much greater than would be expected.  You can feel his loneliness and his love as well as his commitment to his work.

 

Lyrically it is an Intro, 2 Verses, then a Chorus which repeats.  It is hard to get simpler than that.  However its effect is epic.

 

Have you ever written a song you feel transcends itself?  If so why?