there are plenty out there. However, in my opinion “Driver 8” by R.E.M. captures the subtle imagery of train travel and tells the story of an overworked engineer going down the tracks from town to town…“here the bells ring again”.
I model the Southern Ry. which ties in perfect with this song. I also hail from the great state of Georgia (UGA alum) thus I guess you could say I am biased on this topic.
The Southern Serves the South!!!
I’ve been workin’ on the Railroad (public domain)
and, as my kids say…
Little Rabbit Choo Choo, hoppin’ through the forest, picking up the field mice and bopping 'em on the head …
Slow Train Coming - Bob Dylan
SO many train songs out there… so many great ones. A few:
“Folsom Prison Blues”, Johnny Cash: (“I hear that train a-comin’…”)
“Desperadoes Waiting For A Train”, Guy Clark.
“Casey Jones”, Grateful Dead.
“The L&N Don’t Stop Here Anymore”, June Carter Cash.
“Mystery Train”, Elvis Presley.
“Fast Train To Georgia”, Billy Joe Shaver.
“City Of New Orleans”, Steve Goodman (and a million others).
“Paradise”, John Prine. (“Mr. Peabody’s coal-train has hauled it away…”)
Driving that train, high on cocaine,
Casey Jones YOU BETTER, watch your speed.
Trouble ahead, trouble behind,
And you know that notion just crossed my mind.
This old engine makes it on time,
Leaves Central Station ‘bout a quarter to nine,
Hits River Junction at seventeen to,
At a quarter to ten you know it’s DRIVIN’ again.
Driving that train, high on cocaine,
Casey Jones YOU BETTER, watch your speed.
Trouble ahead, trouble behind,
And you know that notion just crossed my mind.
Trouble ahead, Lady in red,
Take my advice you’d be better off dead.
Switchman’s sleeping, train hundred and two is
On the wrong track and headed for you.
Driving that train, high on cocaine,
Casey Jones YOU BETTER, watch your speed.
Trouble ahead, YOU KNOW, trouble behind,
And you know that notion just crossed my mind.
Trouble with you is the trouble with me,
Got two good eyes but WE still don’t see.
Come round the bend, you know it’s the end,
The fireman screams and the engine just gleams…
Driving that train, high on cocaine,
Casey Jones YOU BETTER, watch your speed.
Trouble ahead, trouble behind,
And you know that notion just crossed my mind.
Driving that train, high on cocaine,
Casey Jones YOU BETTER, watch your speed.
Trouble ahead, trouble behind,
And you know that notion just crossed my mind.
Driving that train, high on cocaine,
Casey Jones you better watch your speed.
Trouble ahead, you know, trouble behind.
And you know that notion just crossed my mind.
Driving that train, high on cocaine,
Casey Jones you better watch your speed.
Trouble ahead, you know, trouble behind.
And you know that notion just crossed my mind.
And you know that notion just crossed my mind
How about Marty Robbins singing “A Man Is Like A Train”… the theme song from the movie: Emperor Of The North starring Lee Marvin and Ernest Borgnine.
Train…by “Blackfoot”
Pure Parie Leauge Kanas City Southern
MAN O MAN CAN’T YOU HEAR THAT LONESOME SOUND
Well I set and watch those trains go by
and I wish
That I was Southward bound.
Jumping Someone Elses Train
a song by The Cure ( has a nice video as well )
How about that Willy Nelson song I think it’s called the city of New Orleans or something , Alot of people don’t even know that the song is about a train.
but if you listen to the words its about a passenger train.
bill
one after 909 Beatles
Wreck of the Old 97 - Bill Monroe
Golden Rocket - Hank Snow
City of New Orleans - Arlo Guthrie
Wabash Cannonball - various
Midnight Special ---- Harry Belafonte
Flip
Choo Choo Ch’boogie- Louis Jordan and his Tympani Five
Pardon me Roy, Is that the cat that chewed your new shoes ( OH , sorry ,that’s the joke) I mean Chatanooga Choo Choo.
Nighttrain by GNR
“Long Twin Silver Line” - Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band (from the ‘Against the Wind’ album)
Regards
Ed
What! No Box Car Willie… For Shame!
Actually the Canadian Railway Trilogy is a true classic and for those who haven’t heard it before you have been deprived. I would put it up in the same category as Miss American Pie.
I also live in Georgia and was big fan of REM in college. Driver 8 is very good but I like Downbound Train & Land of Hope and Dreams - both by Bruce Springsteen.
I love music, and I love trains, but I never cared for combining the two. I am referring to the more traditional songs, and stuff like John Denvers train album. I am a big fan of both Bruce songs of course, they just happen to be train related and not a so called standard. I also like “Southern Pacific” by Neil Young and “runaway Train” by Soul Asylum.
GREAT call, Fergmiester… Gordon Lightfoot’s “Canadian Railroad Trilogy” is a great song, and a great tale. If you ask me, it should be Canada’s national anthem. (Although “O, Canada” is a pretty terrific tune.)