51 Years Ago: Glen Campbell's 'Rhinestone Cowboy' Became a Country Classic

By 1975, Glen Campbell was one of the most established stars in country music. The Arkansas native had already topped the U.S. country charts several times.

On this day 51 years ago, May 26, 1975, Campbell released his biggest hit yet. "Rhinestone Cowboy" would soon reach No. 1 on both the Billboard Country and Hot 100 charts and finish at No. 2 on the publication's year-end ranking.

It would also go to No. 1 in Canada, Ireland and Yugoslavia and climb as high as No. 2 in New Zealand and South Africa.

"Rhinestone Cowboy" was actually a cover

Larry Weiss originally wrote and recorded the ballad about a country music hopeful trying to break into the big time in 1974. It received minimal traction, but Campbell heard it on the radio and decided he wanted to create his own version.

Campbell recorded his rendition in February and March 1975 before unveiling it as the lead single and title track of his Rhinestone Cowboy album. The rest, as they say, is history.

An enduring classic

"Rhinestone Cowboy" was Campbell's fourth song to top the Billboard Country chart, along with "Galveston" (1969) and "I Wanna Live" and "Wichita Lineman," both in 1968. He would later add a fifth No. 1 with 1977's "Southern Nights."

The song's lasting bona fides are well-established as well. In 2025, Billboard's team of writers ranked "Rhinestone Cowboy" No. 41 on its list of the 100 Best Country Songs of All Time.

"It's a beautiful country ballad brought to theatrical heights the next year by dazzling piano, soaring flutes and Campbell's vivid vibrato as he sings 'I'm gonna be where the lights are shinin' on me,'" Billboard wrote. "With its robust sound and relatable lyrics, the song's legacy has endured in the many covers (Campbell's own 1975 version is a cover of the song originally written and performed by Larry Weiss a year earlier) performed over the years."

Indeed, over a dozen artists have covered "Rhinestone Cowboy," including Charley Pride, Cher, Bruce Springsteen, Radiohead, Loretta Lynn, Tim McGraw and Soul Asylum.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 26, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

2026 The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.

This story was originally published May 26, 2026 at 9:15 AM.