Train Songs!

[LookingGlassTie]

Here are some of my favorites:

Long Train Runnin', Doobie Brothers

Train, Train, Blackfoot

Midnight Train to Georgia, Gladys Knight and the Pips

Morning Train, Sheena Easton

Long Black Train, Josh Turner

Locomotive Breath, Jethro Tull

Casey Jones, Grateful Dead

Crazy Train, Ozzy Osbourne

Train of Memories, Kathy Mattea

Ride the Train, Alabama

Love Train, Big & Rich

 

[como]

Been on a Train - Laura Nyro

 

[Pere Flyer]

"Empire Builder" - Laura Gibson

Inspired by and written on the train of the same name, the song's lyric video presumably features shots from the EB route and from a CHI-NYP route.

 

[MisterUptempo]

Those of a certain age will probably appreciate this one, promoting trains and tooth decay at the same time!-

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExSlyoVTX3I[/media]

Despite the quality, I find "Up and Down the Monon" a catchy little tune. Would like to find a clean copy-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_WHt8RqbPo

 

[MisterUptempo]

Granted, "I.G.Y." is only kinda, sorta about trains, but a great song nonetheless.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sogYgHlNnqo

Others have already mentioned "Rock Island Line", but Leadbelly's version, in my opinion, is the best-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCiJ4QQG9WQ

 

[MisterUptempo]

I mentioned my extensive original ELO vinyl collection on another music thread, so I'd be remiss if I didn't include "Across the Border" from 1977's "Out of the Blue"-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zuRQc-AE9M

 

[user 6862]

A bit tenuous but the Kinks 'Waterloo Sunset' is almost perfect at setting the scene

The strangest and most gruesome song I've ever heard is 'The Engineer's Dying Child' by Montana Slim. I see that Johnny Cash also recorded it.

'City of New Orleans' by Arlo Guthrie or Steve Goodman

 

[JayPea]

"Took the Last Train" by David Gates

"Love Train" by the O'Jays

"Morning Train" by Sheena Easton

Arlo Guthrie's version of "City of New Orleans"

And an honorable mention to a song that isn't about trains but I put it here because it does mention the word "train" in it. And it's one of my favorite songs: "American Pie" by Don McLean.

"And the three men I admire most

The Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost

They caught the last train for the coast

The day the music died"

 

[bmorechris]

Last year, my now 2 1/2 year old was in the car and I was asking him what kind of song he wanted to hear. He said a choo choo song. I had to think for a minute, but then realized my favorite band, Weezer, has a line about choo choos in their song 'My Name is Jonas'. Took him to see them in concert about a month ago and he went nuts when they played it and he sang along with the other 20k people there!

"Choo choo train left right on time / A ticket cost only your mind / driver said 'hey man we go all the way' / of course we were willing to pay"

About 35 seconds in

 

[DCAKen]

One jaunty little piece I like listening to is Charles William's Model Railway. I became aware of it through an old promotional video for the Olympian Hiawatha

 

[Metra Electric Rider]

I'm surprised that nobody's mentioned (that I noticed) the Souuuul Train!

 

[Rover]

"The City of New Orleans"

Here's a video of different singers and music people giving their recollections of Steve Goodman who wrote "The City of New Orleans."

At 18 minutes in, the composing of the song is covered, and, Arlo Guthrie reminiscences on the recording of the song.

 

[LookingGlassTie]

I got some more that I like (some have already been mentioned):

"City of New Orleans", Arlo Guthrie

"Detroit City", Bobby Bare

"Can't You See?", Marshall Tucker Band

"Love Train", O'Jays song

"Marrakech Express", Crosby, Stills and Nash

"You Never Even Called Me By My Name", David Allan Coe

"White Room", Cream

"Casey Jones", Grateful Dead (hence my signature line)

 

[The Iron Horse]

Most of my favorites have already been mentioned, so I'll try to be creative.

"Zoo Station" - U2

"Tons of Steel" - Grateful Dead

"Downbound Train" - Bruce Springsteen

"Miner's Silver Ghost" - Merle Haggard

"Mystery Train" - Elvis

Honorable Mention:

"Dont Stop Believing" - Journey

 

[Rover]

I Just Got Off That Devil's Train

 

[caravanman]

The Waterboys: Verse Two:

I wish I was the brakeman on a hurtlin fevered train

crashin head long into the heartland like a cannon in the rain

with the feelin of the sleepers and the burnin of the coal

countin the towns flashin by and a night that's full of soul

with light in my head with you in my arms...

https://youtu.be/a4UQJwd3awQ

Ed.

 

[Rover]

Some thing from the 70's....