Jimmy Webb discusses his favourite compositions from his work with Glen Campbell

Renowned songwriter Jimmy Webb comes to Manchester this month, performing a tribute to his friend and frequent collaborator Glen Campbell, for whom he wrote some of his finest songs.

Webb’s songwriting has earned him many an accolade and seen him inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Hits like By the Time I Get to Phoenix and MacArthur Park are perfect examples of his boundless songwriting style, displaying the melodic and emotional qualities that drew so many successful vocalists to his work.

Jimmy has selected four of his personal favourites from the collection of music written for and with Campbell, which you can read his comments on below and hear in the accompanying Spotify playlist.

The Highwayman

JW: ‘I am forever grateful to Glen for believing in this song from the start and playing it for Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Kris Kristofferson – the Genesis of The Highwaymen and my Grammy for Best Country Song.’

The Moon is a Harsh Mistress

JW: ‘This is one of my personal favourite compositions and Glen did an extremely beautiful version of this song.’

Wichita Lineman

JW: ‘This is a song that I wrote specifically FOR Glen. Quite often he heard my finished songs and recorded them.  I wrote this with his voice, his person,  in mind.’

Galveston

JW: ‘I suggest that you listen to my own version of this song from Ten Easy Pieces and then listen to Glen’s.  I wrote the song to be elegiac.  Glen heard it and instinctively knew how to arrange and perform it as a hit pop song.   He has been to me as Dionne Warwick was to Bacharach and David. He delivered my music– beautifully and elegantly — to the masses.’ 

Jimmy has plenty in store for his show at the Royal Northern College of Music, but don’t just take our word for it, hear it from the man himself, while he relaxes in bed.