Wichita Lineman
Rita Wilson Lyrics


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I am a lineman for the county
And I drive the main road
Searchin' in the sun for another overload
I hear you singing in the wires
I can hear you through the whine
And the Wichita lineman is still on the line

I know I need a small vacation
But it don't look like rain
And if it snows that 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

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

The lyrics to Rita Wilson's song Wichita Lineman speaks of a lineman who works for the county and drives the main road. He is constantly searching for another power overload in the scorching sun. He can hear someone singing through the wires, overcoming the high-pitched sound. The lineman is from Wichita, and he is still on the line.


The second verse talks of the loneliness of the lineman's job, and how it is sometimes challenging to take a break, even if he wants to. The stretch down south is not going to manage the snow if it ever snows. The loneliness is palpable as he mentions that he needs someone more than he wants them, and he wants them for all time. The Wichita lineman is still on the line, implying that he is still working and lonely.


The lyrics of Wichita Lineman have been interpreted in many ways, but it is safe to say that the song's most straightforward interpretation is of a power lineman working alone in the field. Wichita is a city in Kansas where the Beech Aircraft Corporation had an airplane assembly plant. Some speculate that the song is about a lineman working on the electrical lines that powered Wichita's airplane manufacturing plant. More than anything, Wichita Lineman is about isolation and the need for human contact.


Line by Line Meaning

I am a lineman for the county
I work for the county as a lineman


And I drive the main road
I drive along the main road doing my job as a lineman


Searchin' in the sun for another overload
I am searching for anything that might be causing an overload on the power lines, even in the hot sun


I hear you singing in the wires
I can hear a sound coming from the wires, almost like they are singing


I can hear you through the whine
I am listening carefully through the static sound of the wires


And the Wichita lineman is still on the line
I am still on the job, working hard to keep everything running smoothly


I know I need a small vacation
I am aware that I could use a break


But it don't look like rain
However, it doesn't seem like the weather will be bad enough to require me to take time off


And if it snows that that stretch down south
If there is a snowstorm in the southern part of the county


Won't ever stand the strain
The power lines and equipment might not be able to handle the strain caused by the snow


And I need you more than want you
I am in a position where I need you more than I even want you


And I want you for all time
I want you to be with me for the rest of my life, no matter what happens


And the Wichita lineman is still on the line
I am still working hard to make sure everything stays up and running properly




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jimmy Webb

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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