If You See Me Getting Smaller, I'm Leaving

Album: El Mirage (1977)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Jimmy Webb is a very successful songwriter whose credits include "MacArthur Park" and "By the Time I Get to Phoenix." Webb also recorded his own material, including this song. Music industry veteran Hans Ebert tells us this story: "I interviewed Jimmy many years back after a gig in LA and, as I love the song - especially the title - asked him about it. Apparently, the line came from Waylon Jennings, who was pissed off at how long a shoot for a music video was taking. That was his line to the director before walking off into the sunset and never to return.
    I also remember raving about this track and the album it's from - El Mirage - to Jerry Greenberg who, at the time was reporting in to Ahmet Ertegun. His reply: "Hans, you must be one of three people in the world who has bought that piece of s--t."

Comments: 1

  • Mike from Midhurst, United KingdomThis is a great song. Webb had an idea that he wanted the "whoosh" of a sailplane (glider) so he and producer George Martin set up microphones all down the runway at El Mirage where Webb played with his sailplanes. Sure enough he flew all the way down the runway and the selfsame "whoosh" was recorded and can be heard towards the end of this song.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

James Bond Theme Songs

James Bond Theme SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the 007 theme songs?

Andy McClusky of OMD

Andy McClusky of OMDSongwriter Interviews

Known in America for the hit "If You Leave," OMD is a huge influence on modern electronic music.

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"They're Playing My Song

As a songwriter and producer, Narada had hits with Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Starship. But what song does he feel had the greatest impact on his career?

Gary Brooker of Procol Harum

Gary Brooker of Procol HarumSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer and pianist for Procol Harum, Gary talks about finding the musical ideas to match the words.

Goodbye, Hello: Ten Farewell Tour Fake-Outs

Goodbye, Hello: Ten Farewell Tour Fake-OutsSong Writing

The 10 biggest "retirement tours" that didn't take.

David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & Tears

David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & TearsSongwriter Interviews

The longtime BS&T frontman tells the "Spinning Wheel" story, including the line he got from Joni Mitchell.