John Hartford Sings "Gentle on My Mind"/Glen Campbell

[@neildavies3624]

The greatest Americana song ever written.....Thanks Mr. Hartford.

[@jasonnabors1231]

Yes. It's considered a country song, but it really is greater and more iconic than that and more like the songs that are considered part of the Great American Songbook. One of the best songs of American music.

[@sirvincent7263]

John was an anachronism in the US, a 19th Century troubadour in a 20th Century world, but how glad we are he lived in an era in which the technology exists to archive his performances in perpetuity.

[@RollingEasy]

This song is the very song of my life. The one which I lived as a young man. Wheat fields and junk yards and railway lines and highways and clothes lines.... God bless you John for giving the world such an absolutely beautiful and touching song.... One I've sung for many many years.

[@gordeauxd]

I went to see John Hartford at a crafts fair in West Virginia in 1982. Most people there early were there for the crafts fair. I was there only for John Hartford. He had set up in a field about 50 yards from where the crafts fair was set up. I saw him and walked over just as he began playing. It was about 11 am and no one else was there. John, his banjo, his bowler hat, his mic'ed plywood plank and me. I walked over about 10 yards from him and he played several numbers for his audience of one, including Gentle on My Mind. I was standing there smiling, tapping my foot, amazed at the turn of events. As he played he looked off into the distance, but every now and then he'd look over at me and wink or smile. After a while, a crowd of other people started wandering over. Amazing experience.

[@FiddlesAreGood]

Thanks for posting this - xoxo, Sherry

[@bryanleigh6497]

I figured he retired in 1969 and lived off Gentle the rest of his days!

[@dannilaser16]

You are one lucky man!

[@davidweir2761]

Wonderful experience.

[@sartainja]

Great story.

[@user-mr9uy9gj5l]

May both John Hatford and Glen Campbell rest in eternal peace. They each had their time on Earth, and what times they were.

[@anthonyfoutch3152]

In the 80s I was making deliveries around Nashville in a tractor trailer. I stopped at a mall for lunch and there was John Hartford.wearing his derby hat. I think he wore it everywhere. I wished I had talked to him but I have approached very few celebrities in my life. I always loved John Hartford's music though.

[@ulrichw.6374]

I am so grateful that with KZbin all these gems areavailable for everyone now

[@peggypennington3270]

He's singing and tapping and playing the banjo all at the same time. And he wrote the song. What a talented entertainer. I love this performance.

[@carlprince2866]

watched this a dozen times at least and he blows my mind with his talent every time

[@dragononwall8733]

Bod Dylan did to.

[@deathkampdrone]

This man sounds good however ;) @@dragononwall8733

[@rickdudeprovo]

I like how glen campbell was very respectful to John and a true fan of his music

[@FunkyMarcel]

For my money, the best piece of poetry ever set to music..

[@jimestep560]

I agree.

[@anthonyangeli256]

Amen.

[@TheJoyStickPlayerGamesRule]

THIS WAS A POEM?! Well it's a damn good one

[@julioagosto3544]

Absolutely and aint just a bunch of us who think so. IT IS in fact the #16 greatest song of the century folks OOOF THEEE CENTURY Yeap! as per rated by BMI.

[@randallmunson2098]

Check out version of song performed by Raul Malo and the Mavericks

[@jeddyhi]

"Though the wheat fields and the clotheslines and the junkyards and the highways come between us....." How does someone come up with that? The man was a lyrical genius.

[@brucekuehn4031]

Evocative and poetic! Rare gift to be able to string together words so well and write a great melody too. That song will be sung forever!

[@clarkrobertson7982]

Poetry!

[@dannyb9140]

Pure genius.

[@WillN2Go1]

Collect as much writing, lyrics, speeches like this as you can find, read as much as you can before you go to sleep. You'll wake up a better writer, for a few hours. Also a powerful inspiration. For Hartford it was seeing Doctor Zhivago. And learn about Shakespeare and iambic.

[@zippers2]

i thought the very same thing when i read that line in the song. how do people do that????

[@coelhocointech9841]

This has to be one the greatest lyrics ever written, along with a great song, solo… just a masterpiece of music by someone who probably had more musical talent than 99 percent of the artists today. The lyrics just flow like a story in a movie

[@steveperry1344]

it is a fine piece of song writing.

[@jamesscott19]

John is still the most underated bluegrass and country music star ever

[@001Geoff]

I agree because he was great.

[@dannilaser16]

james scott yep. Greatest lyrics ever written!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@hitty9]

Not hardly among us. Keep it alive!!

[@muddypool7537]

Glenn Campbell's version is in D which opens it up. This song in the key Hartford is singing-a 4th lower-dulls it. Great songwriting tho.

[@dutchstang05]

so is his daughter as well

[@mrcomenttoe2009]

What a beautiful expression of America thank you John Hartford you definitely make me think of Mark Twain and the Mississippi River and apple pie

[@adriannelson5974]

The poetry of the lyrics coupled with the melody of this song is absolutely genius

[@ricknelson7824]

My sister was a close friend of John, I met him several times and was always impressed with his incredible presence and a voice of pure distinction. A remarkable writer, musician, storyteller, entertainer, and friend that was publicly underrated, but he didn’t care. He helped my sister on several recordings and projects for the pure sake of preserving music history and friendship. She spoke at his memorial and those that truly knew and understood were honoured to have known him. Flying your steam powered aeroplane up there in the clouds.

[@FolkGuy100]

Very nice.

[@paulandersen9492]

That is very cool. What great memories.

[@douglaswetmore1530]

I’ve been a fan of John Hartford for a long time I’m 80 years old and my appreciation for his talent and humility has continued to grow each year

[@banacek60chord43]

Nice to hear and I'll bet he enjoyed his life more than if he'd been a 'mobbed' celeb.

[@Papoose18]

🕯#RestInPeace🕯 🪕 #JohnHartford 🪕 🎼 #GlenCampbell 🎸 ⒼⓄⓄⒹ ⓃⒾⒼⒽⓉ ⒼⓄⒹ

[@divingemt]

He was the best, great song writer, vocalist, banjo picker, entertainer showman and personality, sadly missed.

[@RodintheVille]

John Hartford presents an art form that is pure Americana.

[@marialouisa1982]

With the minimal amount of words he painted pictures and told stories. Gentle on My Mind is a masterpiece.

[@mrtriffid]

I think you're absolutely right about that!

[@tonytribble2977]

I’ve seen hundreds of shows. John Hartford definitely top 3. Amazing performer !

[@Wintle11]

This is just so cool. He was an amazing musician. RIP John.

[@patricklink8527]

Great that there is not a single dislike. John Hartford was it a musical genius. Great songwriter, with a great sense of humor. It's a shame he didn't make the money Glen Campbell did off of this song.

[@stephenbibby8650]

I’ve watched this so many times. I even found myself trying to do the foot tapping routine in my kitchen. 😊. A great song performed by great musicians that are sadly missed. God bless John and Glen . .

[@Redneck_productions08]

I've done the same thing and now I do songs and clogging at a farmers market I have a little "show" at

[@MrEddieo1]

I had cousins from Charleston that wanted to go into NYC. Took them to Greenwich Village and we walked past Filmore East. We bought tickets to see John and he was standing there with his banjo case and luggage waiting to be let in as we got our tickets. He said hello in is baritone voice and disappeared into the theater. 1977. We didnt realize til showtime who it was.

[@mikemattis1204]

One of the most underrated artists we’ve ever had.

[@PickinNgrinin]

Hartford was a true entertainer. He wrote fabulous songs and delivered them joyously to his audience. His presence is sorely missed in music today

[@britturk123]

What a song to write, WOW!.

[@peterkratoska4524]

I saw John Hartford at Festival of American Fiddle Tunes in Port Townsend Washington back in the late 90s. Took his fiddle classes and really enjoyed the concert where he said that it was an honour to be playing for the fiddling brotherhood (as most of the audience were musicians). The best moment was the last night late Saturday, folks were either playing tunes in various sessions or taking part in dances at building 204. After most of that had quieted down, I stood in a little hallway where John Hartford and Texas fiddler Gary Lee Moore traded tunes back and forth. I wish I could have recorded but my recorder battery was done. There was another lady there who actually did record it. But in any case to me it was just a fine moment.

[@mreaglewoman1]

What a treasure we lost when John passed,was so glad I had the privilege of seeing him years ago.

[@gmpbuilder]

Rest in Peace, John. You have been an inspiration to me my entire adult life.

[@jimsouthern1398]

I was working at KMOR in Salt Lake City in 1967 when John's RCA recording of "Gentle On My Mind" showed up in the mail. It went right on our play list and spent several weeks there. Glen's version showed up about two months later and it also was on our play list right away. It did stay around longer but I like both of them and was glad we were among the very first with the song!

[@margieguilfordwoman]

His foot routine makes his song 'perfection'....

[@patrickcoyle796]

John Hartman wrote this masterpiece of a song and lyrics ,and Glen Compbell also sang it beautifully! They're both gone ,now, but their singing and instruments will ring for centuries after !

[@bradg4562]

John Hartford! Spell check sucks!!!

[@terrymalone1456]

One of the greatest songs ever written

[@cpmshaheer5584]

Very well Written and Equally well SANG . I LIKE BOTH JOHN AND GLEN.

[@georgekarline776]

One of the greatest and most underrated artists

[@hatlentom]

This makes me smile. We should all be so happy and carefree as John Hartford. John chose the life he loved.

[@philmanson2991]

Saw him at the Great Southeast Music Hall in Atlanta back in the late '70s; wonderful musical experience.

[@tonytribble2977]

Me too !

[@frankmccarthy1779]

Had the supreme honor of seeing him Live at Nassau CC during their Country Blue grass fest. 1971. He had a great sense of humor and even played is face on one song!

[@eversomellow2538]

Been listening to his music for a while but this is the first time seeing the man

[@nykylyBanjo]

Good to see Glen giving John some of the dues owed. One of the best song writers and musicians ever.

[@talexa08]

I got to see him live in the late 70's. Played this and danced in a circle. It was MAGIC. I will see it my mind forever.

[@tonis8131]

What lyrics! What a songwriter!

[@medtherockstar820]

Beautiful song and Beautiful performance... also see Glenn Campbell's live performance with his Beautiful guitar solo... different and also really Beautiful!!

[@sidensvans67]

I just love this , banjo and tapping the beat . Incredible talent .

[@tysonsrose1]

John Hartford, its about time you got credits for writing that great song!!! It made Glen Campbell A legend!!

[@dabneyoffermein595]

His credit came in the form of checks sent to his address for 20+ years

[@peggycartwright4364]

This wonderful man was an old friend of mine... we had sons the same age... though he never got the acclaim he should have known, at least he got the royalties he deserved from 'Gentle on My Mind' -- both he and his devoted followers always had fun when he came to sing. He could play anything with strings, and clog dance with the best of them... and was even his own 'roadie' setting up the mikes and a board with clip mikes to dance on. I loved you and miss you, John... you were an inspiration to me.

[@stevenroland7472]

Peggy Cartwright you will be happy to know that John is considered a tremendous influence on the current artists of Americana and Bluegrass Music. Particularly the young artist see John's gift for simple music behind meaningful lyrics as something to emulate.

[@neilrafferty2097]

He seemed happy and ultimately that’s all that counts .

[@avenelgrace1603]

I adored this man, and this song is so descriptive,and very true. I especially love his clogging.. he was the whole package. We will always have you in our hearts John.

[@suenoprofundo5755]

Avenel Grace that’s what I thought. Not only is this guy singing and playing some mighty fine banjo - he’s clogging at the same time. That there is one talented fellow and and a humble exponent of some fine American traditions. I love this.

[@szeming143]

This is one of the few Glen Campbell's song that caught my attention early. Glad to see him introducing his hero John Hartford and sang with him. It's both gentle and stirring on my soul. Thanks for sharing!

[@andrasbarkanyi7876]

The noughty author...at last! Good to see and know this genious!

[@MeneerHerculePoirot]

Aereo-Plain completely changed my musical direction and subsequently my life. It's my belief without that record being released there is no Newgrass Revival, David Grisman Quintet, etc. Remember sitting and learning note for note every song on it. Steamboat Whistle Blues is still on my top 5 list of favorite songs. Over the years of playing festivals, colleges, small listening venues I got to meet all of the players on the album. My most prized possession is a copy of Aereo-Plain signed by Hartford, Vassar, Taylor, Blake, Scruggs and Bromberg. They all signed it at different times. At a festival I got to pick in a jam sitting next to Norman Blake. Thought my head was gonna explode. lol

[@russyeatman5631]

WOW. Your are well and truly blessed.

[@socmint83]

As an Englishman I must say this kindly fellow apitomises everything good about the USA. John Harford (he changed it to Hartford) apparently was a very decent man. Love from the mother country to my colonial cousins across the BIG pond.

[@tree01house]

Glen was a great guitar aficionado, and session musician. So many songs recorded by his hand. Rest in Peace Glen, you're missed

[@bommelix]

The Song of my life ❤

[@BobWParks]

Maybe the best song ever written. Bless you John Hartford.

[@srnunan4783]

I never met John Hartford was never lucky enough to even see him perform, never even been to the USA, but I would have truly loved to hear his stories of music or paddle steamers, or anything at all. He seems like someone who leaves an impression on you for a lifetime, a gentleman you would never forget.

[@cdream5414]

He used his tap dancing as one of his instruments. How sweetly creative.

[@dragon672]

Cyrus Dee Original drums ?

[@cdream5414]

Yeah. Maybe. Very creative though.

[@featherriver2080]

It wasn't tap dancing. The closest comparison would have been Irish step dancing -- this was John's own comparison to what he was doing.

[@cdream5414]

featherriver2080, yeah, i agree. even when i was writing "tap dancing" i was doubtful. i just didn't know what to call it. it's beautiful anyway. I'm not so much a tap dancing fan; i find it too gay. but this is not tap dancing; this is something else. and if i may, i call it "Hartford Sing&Dance".

[@featherriver2080]

Again, NOT tap dancing.

[@001Geoff]

The many singers who used John's great song owe him a great debt.

[@dabneyoffermein595]

They paid him

[@simplyDiann]

We saw John Hartford several times at a small free festival called Spirit of the Woods in the LP of Michigan. He was wonderful.

[@cabotbluegill]

We once had talent Miss you John and Glenn both

[@featherriver2080]

Glen has alzheimer's but, he is still alive

[@johne6081]

Update: Died two days ago.

[@nicholevandellen2612]

Johnny Cash Gleen Campbell

[@dannilaser16]

cabotbluegill you’re exactly right about that.

[@majorbarbara1]

Saw him live at the Golden Bear in Huntington Beach Calif. What a talent and so original!

[@thomaslawrence2731]

If memory serves me the man was also a Mississippi River boat captain. True Americana!

[@duanehall4311]

HEAVEN MADE A HUGE SCORE WHEN JOHN HARTFORD STROLLED THRU THE DOOR...

[@dancochrane617]

Impossible to choose a favorite song from countless beautiful songs and artists but this one is close to the top. Brilliant.

[@nadinejackson6187]

And riverboat pilot. A man of many talents.

[@marcuscolelli7651]

Totally agree John Hartford lived the life and the song flowed from him. Definitely underrated

[@susanschildt2738]

I love in Illinois and got to see him on the steamboat Julia Belle Swain. He played all the triple up and then back down the Illinois river near Peoria Il. He was great entertainment for those of us who were on the steam boat.

[@davidholton9667]

So sorry for the infringe on your privacy. Beautiful song. Hello

[@patricksmith4424]

Wow, John is playing a complicated banjo part, singing and dancing all at the same time! And of course he wrote this absolute gem of a song. He has a look of Paul Newman here.

[@Callipygous1975]

The amazing part was that John Harford (original spelling) was born in NYC and the son of a doctor. He had comfortable upper middle class life, but when the family moved to St Louis he became immersed in the folk music traditions that flowed up and down the Mississippi River. RIP

[@gloriawade1895]

What a wonderful talent i just loved his music he will be surely missed lol

[@HarryPatsch]

His name at birth was “John Cowan Harford.”

[@scopex2749]

I am an amateur songwriter and this song always atounds me for the sheer imagery and content he fits into one song with SO MANY words! I thought Glen Campbell had written it but now I see this genius tap dancing marvel and thank him for this song. My late father adored this song and it pretty much sums up my life. In the Forces then after I have always been on the move like a hobo! I can relate to every single word. Never settled down or found a place I want to 'stay' in.

[@dancochrane617]

This guy could play the banjo, guitar, fiddle , and singing lyrics and voice. What a great musician. Song writing with feeling. What’s not to like??

[@oldwobble916]

I'm ashamed to admit that the first time I heard of John Hartford was from the movie 'Oh Brother Where Art Thou?' and subsequently the music show 'Down From The Mountain'. Both are now in my DVD collection, as well as several CD's from John Hartford. Luckily, KZbin is a great source to go back in time and find treasures like this video.

[@joefeky3729]

Love all versions of this song and the words are so true from his heart

[@socmint83]

Talent personified.

[@grafikfeat]

John Hartford. The encyclopedia of American Music.

[@kdjspanner3930]

Now that's talent, sweet memory

[@rogercargill1964]

I Guess they will be performing this in that great theater in the sky, RIP.

[@azcrum]

Incredible talent he is.

[@MrAlonzoZilch]

My all time favorite song

[@geofo60]

John is my hero, if it hadn't been for him & his wonderful aura I would never have ever thought to pick up a banjo. I now have a JH signature 5 string to remind me every day just how this man had such an effect on my life. God Bless you John & thank you for the happiness you spread amongst us during your short time here, from the UK 🇬🇧 .

[@chicochi3]

I have loved John Hartford for years.

[@albowlly]

In the U.K it was best remembered as a Dean Martin hit. All are good as it is a great song.

[@Sanngridr]

one of my favorite songs. so relaxing.

[@sufenta67]

Some people should not be compelled to surrender to the limits of life....John Hartford is one of them.

[@dynasticlight8706]

Very well said ...

[@rodolfodent]

john what a artist great show man i loved it

[@chrisamadon279]

can you say TALENT!!

[@Northyorkspaul]

John Hartford,one cool guy.

[@mysticwine]

KZbin with all it's faults, still blows me away!

[@wrightchix]

I saw Mr Hartford at The Great Northern Bluegrass Festival, Mole Lake, WI, 1985

[@tomproctor.archive]

A legendary performance.

[@markwilsher3218]

Absolutely lovely the author singer and the hitmaker

[@porkscratchings5428]

So nice to see this with John, love Glen ! Glen can sing anyone’s song and it’s fantastic!

[@tysonsrose1]

Boy I Love That Bit of History!! John Hartford Is Great! Never Boasting Or Taking Credit For a Glen Campbell Hit Song.That He Wrote! Thats Big!

[@christianmeyer5353]

You can listen to this wondetful performance every day for life!

[@steveharrop8705]

I have to play this footage several times every time i watch it, once is not enough. A truly wonderful poet and musician.

[@mrcomenttoe2009]

I hope everybody's doing well through the depression of the twenties of hyperinflation & pandemics & Wars✌ the most unbelievable time in our life2)024

[@michaelblaine7176]

Amazing!! he and Glen Campbell sound a lot alike. Beautiful song.

[@bluegrassfan23]

What a wonderful musician!

[@johndunnigan1032]

Smiled all the way through❤❤❤

[@1921ewpeter]

Here,in Holland, were I live, was an singer,artist, called Albert West. He made this song to a remake, and called it "Niet gezond". Not healthy, in Dutch. For English,...not very well, not okay. Now I found the Original. And this is really briljant. Perfect. Great !!!

[@janetstout8092]

Amazing, stunning, beautiful ❤️

[@WillN2Go1]

Wow. Thanks for sharing this. John Hartford said he wrote this song in twenty to thirty minutes after he and his wife saw the movie Doctor Zhivago. His song is about a drifting hobo remember someone special. Zhivago was about World War I, Russian Revolution and Civil War pushing together and separating Yuri and Lara. (There are sequence where Yuri is staggering through blizzards to get to Varykino where Lara lives.) I also think it's a song of a man who isn't a hobo or a drifter but has these feelings because his relationship already shows signs of breaking up. There's also not one drop of self pity anywhere in these lyrics -- just another reason this song is so special. It's also very clearly iambic and roughly iambic pentameter (like Shakespeare). Iambic is soft Hard soft Hard This line "That makes me tend to leave my sleeping bag" Most of these words don't have to be here and no one quite talks like this. So the first half of this is line I think is basically 'word music' (like banjo players keeping busy all the time with the melody on top) It just keeps the song going, with the key idea of, "my sleeping bag, behind your couch, frequently." It's all wonderful. I think a lot of the songs that never die are iambic. I'm not sure how widely known this is. (If I wrote this with that in mind I'd start it with, 'For sharing this I thank you."