Released in 1967, the beautiful ballad, "Gentle On My Mind" written by country
singer/songwriter John Hartford for his second album, "Earthwords & Music"
was said to have been inspired after he watched the sweeping,
historical romance film, "Dr. Zhivago".
An obituary for Hartford later indicated that the lyrics are "about a hobo
reminiscing about a lost love."
The song attracted the attention of country music legend Glen Campbell
after he heard it on the radio and bought the single. He believed that
the song was an essay on life and was said to have been "knocked out"
by the scenery it describes.
His recording of "Gentle On My Mind" released in June of that year was a huge hit,
peaking at Number#30 on Billboard's 100 Hot Country Songs and at Number #62
on the Hot 100 chart, helping him to successfully cross-over into the pop market.
Although it was also recorded by musical greats Frank Sinatra,
Dean Martin, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley, and Patti Page,
"Gentle On My Mind" is definitely Glen Campbell's "signature song".
At least I think so!
(1967)
Glen Campbell
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