Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
A smoke, a long black Cadillac
The engine's winding down
He'd park it up on the sidewalk
Like he owned the whole damn town
I'd hear him talkin' to some chick
Through a thick ghost of smoke
Through a thicker haze of Southern Comfort and Coke
Say, Girl you're hotter than a hinge
Hangin' off the gates of Hell
Don't be afraid to turn to me
Babe, if he don't treat you well
And by he, he meant me
So I laughed and I shook his hand
He'd laugh a little bit louder
As he'd yell up at the band
Play a train song
Pour me one more round
Make 'em leave my boots on
When they lay me into the ground
I am a runaway locomotive
Outta my one-track mind
And I'm lookin' for any kinda trouble that I can find
I got this old black leather jacket
Got this pack of Marlboro Reds
I got this stash here in my pocket
I got these thoughts in my own head
The right to run until I gotta walk
Or until I've got to crawl
This moment that I'm in right now
And nothing else at all
Play a train song
Pour me one more round
Make 'em leave my boots on
When they lay me into the ground
I am a runaway locomotive
Outta my one-track mind
In the television blizzard lights
I looked around this place
I found a cold beer on the sofa
A little smile across his face
And though I tried with all of my sadness
Somehow I just could not weep
For a man who looked to me
Like he died laughin' in his sleep
Singin' a train song
Drinkin' one last round
We made 'em leave his boots on
On the day they laid him down
He was a runaway locomotive
Out of his one-track mind
Play a train song
Play a train song
Play a train song
The engine's winding down
He'd park it up on the sidewalk
Like he owned the whole damn town
I'd hear him talkin' to some chick
Through a thick ghost of smoke
Through a thicker haze of Southern Comfort and Coke
Say, Girl you're hotter than a hinge
Hangin' off the gates of Hell
Don't be afraid to turn to me
Babe, if he don't treat you well
And by he, he meant me
So I laughed and I shook his hand
He'd laugh a little bit louder
As he'd yell up at the band
Play a train song
Pour me one more round
Make 'em leave my boots on
When they lay me into the ground
I am a runaway locomotive
Outta my one-track mind
And I'm lookin' for any kinda trouble that I can find
I got this old black leather jacket
Got this pack of Marlboro Reds
I got this stash here in my pocket
I got these thoughts in my own head
The right to run until I gotta walk
Or until I've got to crawl
This moment that I'm in right now
And nothing else at all
Play a train song
Pour me one more round
Make 'em leave my boots on
When they lay me into the ground
I am a runaway locomotive
Outta my one-track mind
In the television blizzard lights
I looked around this place
I found a cold beer on the sofa
A little smile across his face
And though I tried with all of my sadness
Somehow I just could not weep
For a man who looked to me
Like he died laughin' in his sleep
Singin' a train song
Drinkin' one last round
We made 'em leave his boots on
On the day they laid him down
He was a runaway locomotive
Out of his one-track mind
Play a train song
Play a train song
Play a train song
Lyrics submitted by Statbucksbabe28, edited by inourdr
Play a Train Song Lyrics as written by Todd Snider
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This is a tribute to an integral part of the cool East Nashville music scene, Skip "play a effing train song" Litz. Todd obviously loved the guy. In interviews, Todd has talked about how Skip would drive around in a big Cadillac and always wanted to hear a train song.
skip litz i think was actually his roadie for awhile. he worked sound at the radio cafe, which is no longer there. I can imagine he always yelled in the background "play a f#ckin' train song", which stirred up this song after he died. this is the optimal train song.
this is a perfectly written song. you gotta love the way todd spill out everything he's feeling inside through a song. see also: waco moon
I love this song because Todd's love for one of his best friends was poured out into this song and you can feel it. Just listening to the song makes you think you know Skip and you almost cry by the end of it. When I saw him play this song live, I could almost hear him start to cry a little near the end of the song but it wasn't a sad cry, it was a happy cry.
Todd Snider is the New American version of Neil Young! Both Geniuses in their own right, and masters of writing and performing the greattest American music, Folk Rock with a touch of Down Home. Makes you proud to be a North American.