10 Best Songs About Trains

Feature Photo by Brian Kachejian

Our list of the 10 best songs about trains features tracks that use the word “train” in the title or simply highlight the power and impact of trains. These songs don’t necessarily have to be about an actual train; they can be about the meaning of a train, which, for many, is the ideals of moving on, moving away, escaping, or maybe simply the everyday ride of life. Of course, it could actually also be about a train. As we do with all these lists, we tried to mix it up between popular favorites and deep tracks. It’s too easy just to add the popular ones, we want to have some fun with it while also turning people on to some songs they may not know.

# 10 – Down By The Train – Tom Waits

Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards by Waits, Tom [Music CD]

Tom Waits has written multiple songs with the word “train” in the title. His most popular song, “Downtown Train,” has been covered by Rod Stewart, Bob Seger, and many others. The “Train Song” was released on Frank’s Wild Years. But the one I like most was released on his outtakes and compilation album Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards. The song was written for Johnny Cash.

# 9 – Train Train – Blackfoot

One of our favorite bands of all time Blackfoot delivered one of the most classic songs they’ve ever recorded with this killer track, “Train Train.” It was released on the band’s third album, Strikes, in 1979. The album featured Rickey Medlocke on lead vocals, guitar, Charlie Hargrett on guitar, Greg T. Walker on bass, backing vocals, and Jakson Spires on drums. Make sure to watch my video interview with Greg T Walker

# 8 – The Train – Lone Justice

“The Train” was an outtake by Lone Justice that was finally released on their compilation album This World Is Not My Home. The song was written by Ryan Hedgecock, who takes the lead vocals on this one with Maria McKee singing harmony. I would have loved to have heard Maria sing the lead vocal on this one. Other versions of this song, released on the albums Western Tapes and Live At The Palomino, feature a mix where Maria’s vocals are a little louder than Ryan’s, which was the smart move, I mean, because it’s Maria McKee, one of the greatest singers of all time. You dont put her in the background.

# 7 – Runaway Train – Elton John & Eric Clapton

I wonder how many people realize that in the early 1990s, Elton John and Eric Clapton collaborated on a track called “Runaway Train.” In a rare instance, Elton John shared the musical writing credit with another writer (Olle Romo) while also using Bernie for the lyrics. The song appeared on Elton John’s album The One as well as the soundtrack to Lethal Weapon 3.

# 6 – Love Train – The O’Jays

We add a little bit of Philly soul to this list with the O’Jays classic “Love Train.” This classic song went all the way to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1972.

# 5 – 2:10 Train – The Stone Ponys

Linda Ronstadt will send shivers through your heart when you hear her vocal performance on these old songs by the Stone Ponys called “2:10 Train.” The song was released in 1967. This is one of the deeper tracks on this list.

# 4 – Long Train Runnin’ – The Doobie Brothers

As I was writing this list, all I could hear was one song playing over and over in my head. There are so many great songs about trains, making a list of only 10 was very difficult. But I knew, deep down, that this one by The Doobie Brothers was one I could not keep off this list.

# 3 – Mystery Train – Elvis Presley

You can’t leave the King off a list like this one. The song was originally written and recorded by Junior Parker in 1953. Elvis Presley released his classic recording of the song in 1955. Scotty Moore’s guitar work on the song would become just as legendary as the Presley vocal.

# 2 – “Train Kept A-Rollin’“

Written by Tiny Bradshaw in 1951, this classic song has been recorded hundreds of times by some of the most iconic musical artists of all time. We present the Yardbirds version below. Dont miss my video interview with original Yardbirds drummer Jim McCarty.

# 1 – Folsom Prison Blues – Johnny Cash

We close our list with this Johnny Cash classic, which captures the inevitability of life and the sense that the song’s character seemed doomed from the start. The train is a never-ending reminder of life’s harshness. This would become one of the signature songs of one of the most iconic music careers in popular music history.

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