About the song
“Glen Campbell’s ‘Gentle on My Mind’ is a timeless classic that embodies the essence of country music storytelling. Penned by legendary songwriter John Hartford, the song first appeared on Campbell’s album of the same name, released in 1967.
Hartford’s evocative lyrics and Campbell’s emotive delivery paint a vivid picture of a wanderer’s life on the open road, filled with memories of a love that remains ‘gentle on my mind.’ The song’s wistful melody and heartfelt sentiment struck a chord with audiences, earning it critical acclaim and commercial success.
‘Gentle on My Mind’ quickly climbed the charts, reaching number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 39 on the Hot Country Singles chart. Its widespread appeal led to multiple cover versions by artists across various genres, solidifying its status as a classic in the American songbook.
The song’s enduring popularity has been further cemented by its inclusion in films, television shows, and commercials over the years. It has become synonymous with Campbell’s legacy as one of country music’s greatest voices, earning him multiple Grammy Awards and induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Whether you’re a lifelong fan of Glen Campbell or discovering his music for the first time, ‘Gentle on My Mind’ remains a poignant reminder of the power of storytelling in music. Its timeless appeal continues to resonate with listeners of all ages, making it a cherished favorite for generations to come.”
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