Wichita Lineman
Clouds Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I am the lineman for the county
And I drive the main roads
Searching in the sun for another overload
I hear you singing on the wire
I hear your voice through the whine
And the Wichita lineman
Is still on the line
I know I'll need a small vacation
But it don't look like rain
But if there's snow that stretch down south
Won't ever stand the strain

And I need you more than want you
And I want you for all time




And the Wichita lineman
Is still on the line

Overall Meaning

Wichita Lineman is a song that tells the story of a dedicated man who works as a lineman in the county, driving through the main roads and searching for any power overloads. As he drives, he hears a woman singing on the wires and her voice comes through the whine of the lines. He becomes captivated by her and reflects on his need for a vacation but understands he can't stop working because of the constant demands for power. He sings of his deep love and desire for the woman and how he needs her more than he wants her.


The song's lyrics reveal a theme of loneliness that is made clear by the Wichita Lineman's longing for the woman. It is also an acknowledgement of the vital role that power linemen played in the early days of rural electrification in America. The song gained popularity due to the soothing strings, twangy steel guitar, and the singer's potent tenor voice. The lyrics leave listeners feeling a sense of longing and nostalgia, making it a lasting classic in American music.


Line by Line Meaning

I am the lineman for the county
I am responsible for maintaining the communication lines in this county


And I drive the main roads
I travel on the major roads to inspect and maintain the communication lines


Searching in the sun for another overload
I am looking for any issues or problems with the communication lines, even during sunny days


I hear you singing on the wire
I can hear the sound or noise coming from the communication wires


I hear your voice through the whine
I can still pick up the signal or voice even if there's static or noise on the line


And the Wichita lineman is still on the line
I am still working and monitoring the communication lines in Wichita


I know I'll need a small vacation
I am aware that I might need a break from work soon


But it don't look like rain
The weather forecast shows that it is unlikely to rain soon


But if there's snow that stretch down south
However, if there is snow or ice forming in the southern area, it may cause damage to the communication lines


Won't ever stand the strain
The communication lines can't handle the pressure or weight of the snow for too long


And I need you more than want you
I rely on the communication lines more than just wanting them


And I want you for all time
The communication lines need to be working and available all the time


And the Wichita lineman is still on the line
I am still working and monitoring the communication lines in Wichita




Contributed by Alex N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

tanya ryman

The Clouds have been one of my all time favourite bands of all time....the harmonies of Jodi and Tricia are always beautiful but are absolutely gorgeous in this classic cover...glenn campbell would be proud

The 3 Flags of Aus

๐Ÿ’œ

LL27

Fantastic cover, love it.

T.J Bellerby

Amazing. Always in my playlists.

Eccles 9

When a band that crafts tunes as exquisitely as The Clouds do a cover/interpretation of another's work; you get amazing gems like this. This track's 'a few' years old now, but it's great to have them recording and touring again.

Gawain Woolfrey

One of my favourite tracks, I had this song on high rotation in my uni days. I'm so glad they are touring again, I can't wait to watch em live again.

Dave Sisson

Nice cover. Quite different from the sort of stuff The Clouds usually do/did, but still very Cloudsy and rather enjoyable. :)

Conrad Hunter

Great interpretation of a classic.

Threepwood Guybrush

Wow !!!! I love this version

Stordy Time

Such a brilliant cover... took me years to find it online ... and here we are back to their greatness.. finally!

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