In March 1969, Galveston was the 13th album Capitol released on Glen Campbell, an astounding number considering the fact that Glen was only prominently known for just two years.
The single was released shortly after the release of the single named the same and following the highly success single and album by Wichita lineman, the release of the album as well as single Galveston rose to the top of the charts and spent 11 weeks at #1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart and reaching #2 on the Billboard Hot 200 (all genres) chart. The album was certified platinum status and sales status.
It was the first Glen Campbell album to do this on its initial release. However, Glen Campbell would still be an extremely successful solo musician, with some of his most significant singles success to be.
Caveat: my vinyl copy of this album was issued on the English Ember label and has fourteen tracks. In describing this album, I know I have the correct tracks as released on the US Capitol label, I’m just not sure that I have them in the correct sequence.
The album opens with “Galveston”, a Jimmy Webb composition that soared to the top of the Country and Easy Listening charts and reached #4 on the pop charts.
Released during the Vietnam War years, apparently Webb conceived of the song as an anti-war song but Campbell’s reading of the song need not be interpreted in that way. I was living in London when this song was released and was surprised that it failed to do better than #14 in the UK (“Wichita Lineman” reached #7 in the UK). Perhaps the interpretation of the song as an anti-war song detracted from its universal appear.
I think it is a great song:
