Here we go Runaway Train by Soul Asylum,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRtvqT_wMeY
And Runway Train Movie Song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWef2BhqvBk
It’s interesting that “Big Rock Candy Mountain” became thought of as a children’s song, given it’s history (particularly it’s earliest versions)…
Nebraska66 must really love Union Pacific’s restored 4014.
(can’t seem to embed the video)
Does the Locomotion count as a railroad song?:
What about a piece of symphonic music? In 1923, Swiss-French composer Arthur Honegger wrote “Pacific 231” (most European countries count axles, not wheels; thus 231 would be 462 here), with the music reflecting the run of a steam locomotive. In 1949, French film-maker Jean Mitry added pictures to the music (today we would call this a “video”). It is really worth watching.
You Never Even Called Me By My Name big hit by David Allen Coe -
This also written by Steve Goodman (with some help from John Prine).
I listen to these guys alot still to this day.
Sheldon
I’m a fan of John Prine too. I always liked his offbeat style. I’ve left instructions for his song Please Don’t Bury Me to be played at my funeral.
john prine please don’t bury me - - Video Search Results (yahoo.com)
Another great train song not yet mentioned is The Wabash Cannonball. Dizzy Dean used to sing this during baseball telecasts when the game had become boring.
No train song list is complete without The Orange Blossom Special.
Johnny Cash - Orange Blossom Special - Live at San Quentin (Good Sound Quality) - YouTube
My favourite is Bob Dylan’s “It takes a lot to laugh, it takes a train to cry”.
The rhythm, to me, at least, is reminicent of the sway of a coach, and the beat is like the clickety-clack of steel wheels over rail joints.
It’s probably not all that verbally connected to trains, but that song is in my head for all the few long-distance trains I’ve ridden.
Wayne
Only if Kylie Minogue is singing it.
What a perfect 1980s video.
-Kevin
I thought I would add some content that is local to me at least…
The late Slim Dusty (David Kirkpatrick) was by far the best known Country artist in Australia,and I think he was a contemporary of Hank Williams, although he had quite a long life.
Here are two songs:
Indian Pacific https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKBlyvZD-jg
Losing my Blues Tonight https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11LYQm421sI
The second song might need some explanation:
The “38” was a 4-6-2 which worked many trains out of Sydney, including to the north as indicated in the song. Slim Dusty was born in the Northern Tablelands area and would think of that area as home. The 38 class were all painted green from 1946 until 1955, when they were repainted black but with red lining.
The Indian Pacific song was written by Slim Dusty’s wife Joy McKean who is dressed in black in the video of Losing My Blues Tonight.
Peter
It occured to me that many of you wouldn’t have seen the Indian Pacific.
Here is a version both with lyrics and video of the train, pretty much as it runs now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znQVvkc3vgQ
Peter
Good morning
[wow] A lot of Train songs to catch up with over coffee this morning. I’ll get the brew going[:)]
TF
Enjoyed the songs and videos posted here this morning. Thanks for posting the Great Train Tunes[Y]
No better than the Grand Funk Railroad version of The Locomotion Maxman.
Here’s Runaway Train Metrolinkfan.
I remember “You never even called me by my name” Sheldon. It was back in the days we used to go to our lake cabin in McGregor and all the top country songs gelled around that time.
Bob Dylan was a Northern Minnesota boy. There’s three Bob Dylan manhole covers we went and found in the streets of Duluth. Heres the studio version Wayne, much better sound than the live version.
I’ll be back, searching for more links for some of you missing links…Pun intended? [(-D]…[;)]
TF
Not really a train song but Kenny Rogers’ The Gambler did take place on a train.
On a warm summer’s evening
on a train bound for nowhere
The Gambler not really a train song???
It is now[oX)]
Gotcha Covered John. Unfortunately so do the credits but this little Steamer going across the countryside is worth a look.
TF
I’ll have to see if that train stops in my neighborhood.
The Monkey and the Engineer by Jesse Fuller.
Popular version by the Grateful Dead