By the Time I Get to Phoenix " is a song written by Jimmy Webb . Originally recorded by Johnny Rivers in 1965 , it was covered by American country music singer Glen Campbell on his album of the same name . Released on Capitol Records in 1967 , Campbell 's version topped '' RPM '' Canada Country Tracks , reached number two on '' Billboard '' Hot Country Singles chart , and won two awards at the 10th Annual Grammys . Broadcast Music , Inc. ( BMI ) named it the third most performed song from 1940 to 1990 . The song was ranked number 20 on BMI 's Top 100 Songs of the Century . Frank Sinatra called it " the greatest torch song ever written . " The inspiration for " By the Time I Get to Phoenix " originated in Jimmy Webb 's breakup with Susan Horton . They remained friends after her marriage to Bobby Ronstadt , a cousin of singer Linda Ronstadt . Their relationship , which peaked in mid-1965 , was also the primary influence for " MacArthur Park " , another Webb composition
10th Annual Grammys
10th Annual Grammy Awards
By the Time I Get to Phoenix