As I sit here tonight in front of my computer passing the time I found myself listening to mp3’s and a train song came on. And I thought what was the first train song I remember knowing?
So, what was the first train song you remember? What I wish to know is the first song you can remember from your childhood other then “the little engine the could”. What’s the name of the song and who’s the artist that sings it? Or a song that mentions a train or anything train related? Not just train or train related in the name.
For me it’s “The_Wreak_of_old_97” Artist unknown as I would have to go over to Mom’s and dig out the old “LP” to find out. Then it’s “Arlo_Guthrie_-_City_Of_New_Orleans”
What train songs are in your collection if you have a collection?.
The first one I heard as a kid was “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad.” It’s was never my favorite because that’s when Disney’s Davey Crockett was popular. [:)]
My all time favorite has to be “City of New Orleans.”
Probably not a ‘classic train’ song, but my favorite is “Follow the River” which was sung by Jimmy Stewart–of all people–in the fine railroad western movie NIGHT PASSAGE.
I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow - The Siggy Bottom Boys
Listen to the rhythm of that second song. Besides the lyrics, the music evokes steam engine rhythm.
I first noticed this same influence of railroad steam technology in music when listening to an Elvis Presley CD while watching a series of video clips from the 30’s of steam trains. The video and music were virtually in sync no matter what song played.
Johnny B Good (Chuck Berry) comes to mind as recognition of this connection, “Strummin’ to rhythm that the drivers made” as well as Steve Goodman’s,
Mothers with their babes asleep, Are rockin’ to the gentle beat And the rhythm of the rails is all they dream (feel).
Pretty neat. Makes me wonder if part of the odd attraction we all seem to share for trains may have something to do with the mysterious human appreciation of (and creation of) music. Perhaps some of us hear a train, and hear music?
Goodness. I am thinking too much. I need to go replace a piece of track or something!
