Waylon Jennings’ Rendition Of “Gentle On My Mind”
What is the story behind the song «Gentle on My Mind»
«Gentle on My Mind» is a song that was written by John Hartford and was first recorded and released by him in 1967. Hartford composed the song after watching the film «Doctor Zhivago» and being inspired by the line «she was gentle on my mind». The song tells the story of a man who can’t forget a former lover and how she remains «gentle on my mind». At its core, the song is about the power of memory and the way it can shape our perception of the world.
What is the most popular version of «Gentle on My Mind»
«Gentle on My Mind» has been covered by many artists, including Dean Martin, Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, and Elvis Presley. However, Glen Campbell’s 1967 recording of the song became a hit and is perhaps the most well-known version of the song. In 1990, BMI listed Campbell’s version of «Gentle on My Mind» as the fourth-most-played song in the history of radio in the US. Campbell’s version won two of the four Grammys that «Gentle On My Mind» received back in the 60s — Best Country Solo Male and Best Country Performance. Taking into account all recorded versions of the song, it has become the second-most-played song on the radio in the United States according to BMI. Therefore, it can be concluded that Glen Campbell’s version of «Gentle on My Mind» is the most popular version of the song.
Waylon Jennings also recorded and released the song on his albums «Hangin’ On» and «Ruby Don’t Take Your Love to Town»
Waylon Jennings – Gentle on My Mind 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 backroads
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 backroads
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 backroads
By the rivers flowing gentle on my mind
I dip my cup of soup back from a gurglin’
Cracklin’ caldron 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 backroads
By the rivers of my memories
Ever smilin’ ever gentle on my mind
GENIUS
