I'm Not Gonna Miss You

Album: Glen Campbell: I'll Be Me (2014)
Charted: 90
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Glen Campbell revealed in 2011 that he was battling Alzheimer's. By 2014 the disease had progressed to the point where he was in a care facility and unable to pursue his music career. This tune written by Campbell with Julian Raymond is the last one that he ever recorded. He laid it down at Sunset Sound Factory and East West Recording Studio in Los Angeles for the EP soundtrack of the documentary Glen Campbell: I'll Be Me. The song makes reference to his struggles with Alzheimer's disease, and is a message to his wife and children.
  • To compose this song, Julian Raymond kept a journal of things Campbell said to him, which formed the basis for the lyric. Campbell had input on the words and melody, but Raymond guided him through the process. The song ended up capturing Campbell's fleeting thoughts as his memory had failed.

    The song was recorded in 2013 after Campbell had completed his final tour.
  • Campbell addresses his wife, Kim Woollen, in this song when he sings:

    You're the last person I will love
    You're the last face I will recall
    And best of all
    I'm not gonna miss you


    "It's heartbreaking to hear," Woollen told the Arizona Republic in 2015. On the other side, he's saying, 'Don't worry about me. I'm gonna be OK. You're the one who's gonna have a hard time.' And it's true because he doesn't know the pain we're going through. It is heartbreaking every single day. Sometimes, I'm really depressed."
  • The song reached the Top 50 of the Country chart. It was Campbell's first entry on the tally since "Somebody Like That," which peaked at #66 in 1993.
  • This won for Best Country Song at the Grammy Awards in 2015.
  • This got an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song. Tim McGraw performed it at the ceremony. Introducing the performance, Gwyneth Paltrow said of Campbell, "Faced with the prospect of fading memories, he decided to record one last song to tell his wife and children how much he loved them before it was too late."
  • Elton John revamped the somber song into a duet for his 2021 The Lockdown Sessions album. John sings some of the lyrics originally handled by Campbell, who reappears posthumously.

    The collaboration came about when Campbell's label contacted John asking him if he would sing "I'm Not Gonna Miss You" at London's Abbey Road studio. When the British legend listened to the tune, he thought it was one of the most beautiful songs he'd ever heard.

Comments: 2

  • Mike Soloman from Lodi , CaI have been a giant fan for over 40 years. It was very sad to watch his struggle with that awful disease. His family is very strong and very loving. I hope to meet him someday on the other side.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyAt the Academy Awards for 2014 announcements January 15th, 2015:
    "I'm Not Gonna Miss You" by Glen Campbell was nominated for 'Best Original Song'...
    The song is from the documentary movie 'Glen Campbell: I'll Be Me' and the award's show is February 22nd, 2015...
    May God bless and watch over Mr. Campbell.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Art Alexakis of Everclear

Art Alexakis of EverclearSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer of Everclear, Art is also their primary songwriter.

La La Brooks of The Crystals

La La Brooks of The CrystalsSong Writing

The lead singer on "Da Doo Ron Ron" and "Then He Kissed Me," La La explains how and why Phil Spector replaced The Crystals with Darlene Love on "He's A Rebel."

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About Transgenderism

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About TransgenderismSong Writing

A history of songs dealing with transgender issues, featuring Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Morrissey and Green Day.

Lajon Witherspoon of Sevendust

Lajon Witherspoon of SevendustSongwriter Interviews

The Sevendust frontman talks about the group's songwriting process, and how trips to the Murder Bar helped forge their latest album.

Jon Anderson of Yes

Jon Anderson of YesSongwriter Interviews

From the lake in "Roundabout" to Sister Bluebird in "Starship Trooper," Jon Anderson talks about how nature and spirituality play into his lyrics for Yes.

Angelo Moore of Fishbone

Angelo Moore of FishboneSongwriter Interviews

Fishbone has always enjoyed much more acclaim than popularity - Angelo might know why.