Introduction
“Linda on My Mind” is a signature song both written and recorded by country star Conway Twitty, released in January 1975 as the lead single and title track from his album Linda on My Mind. Recorded earlier — on June 19, 1973 at Bradley’s Barn in Mount Juliet, Tennessee — the song reflects Twitty’s evolving mastery as a songwriter in the country genre.
Upon release, the single became Twitty’s twelfth chart-topping hit on the U.S. country singles chart, holding the No. 1 spot for one week and remaining on the chart for eight weeks in total. Critics and fans alike regard “Linda on My Mind” as a high point in Twitty’s mid-1970s output — a period in which he frequently explored themes of emotional conflict, longing, and the complexity of love.
The song’s narrative voice tells the tale of a man who, despite being with one woman, finds his thoughts and emotions drifting toward another — Linda. The tension between loyalty, guilt, and forbidden attraction gives the song its emotional core. Its layered storytelling aligns with a recurring motif in Twitty’s work: the struggle to balance desire and responsibility.
In addition to its commercial success, “Linda on My Mind” has endured in country music culture, garnering covers (for example, by Ronnie Milsap in 1975) and continued live renditions (e.g. George Strait’s performances) that testify to its lasting resonance. Its legacy is entwined with Twitty’s own reputation as a gifted interpreter and as one of country music’s most prolific hit makers.