I have always enjoyed this song for how the percussion (including the haunting bass groove) makes me think of rocking and clanking along while riding on a train, or watching and listening to a train roll by, either from near or far. When the end of the song nears, the percussion at "the pistons" once again transports the imagination to the noise of a giant machine, straining and pounding to haul massive loads at high speeds.
The harmonious, sliding vocalization at "lo-o-o-ve" seems obviously intended to mimic the train blowing its horns.
The guitar intro, repeated throughout the song as a theme, seems to express multiple possible things: the train's horns, again (in short bursts, at every crossing); the squeal of wheels on the tracks, and even perhaps the sobs and moans of grieving persons saying goodbyes to a beloved place (as passengers on the train) or to loved ones left behind at the station - or, the sobs and moans of those left behind.
This is a very expressive song, instrumentally speaking. A song about a train ride that is (in my opinion) more expressive in its lyrics is "City of New Orleans," which is also about the Illinois Central Railroad.
@Hipnoticed you miss the fact that train tracks are a common suicide method. This song touches on themes of mortality . 'Watch them disappear' is evocative of someone passing, as is 'she won't become back'.
Miss Lucy was found 'down along the tracks'.
why? Because she lost her home and her family. It is pronounced as 'Miss Loose'. Evocative of a woman who cheated on her husband and lost everything as a result.. Then ended it all.
Because there was no forgiveness.
@Hipnoticed you miss the fact that train tracks are a common suicide method. This song touches on themes of mortality . 'Watch them disappear' is evocative of someone passing, as is 'she won't become back'.
Miss Lucy was found 'down along the tracks'.
why? Because she lost her home and her family. It is pronounced as 'Miss Loose'. Evocative of a woman who cheated on her husband and lost everything as a result.. Then ended it all.
Because there was no forgiveness.
@Hipnoticed you miss the fact that train tracks are a common suicide method. This song touches on themes of mortality . 'Watch them disappear' is evocative of someone passing, as is 'she won't be coming back'.
Miss Lucy was found 'down along the tracks'.
why? Because she lost her home and her family. It is pronounced as 'Miss Loose'. Evocative of a woman who cheated on her husband and lost everything as a result.. Then ended it all.
Because there was no forgiveness.
@Hipnoticed you miss the fact that train tracks are a common suicide method. This song touches on themes of mortality . 'Watch them disappear' is evocative of someone passing, as is 'she won't be coming back'.
Miss Lucy was found 'down along the tracks'.
why? Because she lost her home and her family. It is pronounced as 'Miss Loose'. Evocative of a woman who cheated on her husband and lost everything as a result.. Then ended it all.
Because there was no forgiveness.
I have always enjoyed this song for how the percussion (including the haunting bass groove) makes me think of rocking and clanking along while riding on a train, or watching and listening to a train roll by, either from near or far. When the end of the song nears, the percussion at "the pistons" once again transports the imagination to the noise of a giant machine, straining and pounding to haul massive loads at high speeds.
The harmonious, sliding vocalization at "lo-o-o-ve" seems obviously intended to mimic the train blowing its horns.
The guitar intro, repeated throughout the song as a theme, seems to express multiple possible things: the train's horns, again (in short bursts, at every crossing); the squeal of wheels on the tracks, and even perhaps the sobs and moans of grieving persons saying goodbyes to a beloved place (as passengers on the train) or to loved ones left behind at the station - or, the sobs and moans of those left behind.
This is a very expressive song, instrumentally speaking. A song about a train ride that is (in my opinion) more expressive in its lyrics is "City of New Orleans," which is also about the Illinois Central Railroad.
@Hipnoticed I love your observation of how the 'loooo-oooo-oooove' stanza mimics the blare of a train horn. Its a warning. Don't forget to love.
@Hipnoticed I love your observation of how the 'loooo-oooo-oooove' stanza mimics the blare of a train horn. Its a warning. Don't forget to love.
@Hipnoticed you miss the fact that train tracks are a common suicide method. This song touches on themes of mortality . 'Watch them disappear' is evocative of someone passing, as is 'she won't become back'. Miss Lucy was found 'down along the tracks'. why? Because she lost her home and her family. It is pronounced as 'Miss Loose'. Evocative of a woman who cheated on her husband and lost everything as a result.. Then ended it all. Because there was no forgiveness.
@Hipnoticed you miss the fact that train tracks are a common suicide method. This song touches on themes of mortality . 'Watch them disappear' is evocative of someone passing, as is 'she won't become back'. Miss Lucy was found 'down along the tracks'. why? Because she lost her home and her family. It is pronounced as 'Miss Loose'. Evocative of a woman who cheated on her husband and lost everything as a result.. Then ended it all. Because there was no forgiveness.
@Hipnoticed you miss the fact that train tracks are a common suicide method. This song touches on themes of mortality . 'Watch them disappear' is evocative of someone passing, as is 'she won't be coming back'. Miss Lucy was found 'down along the tracks'. why? Because she lost her home and her family. It is pronounced as 'Miss Loose'. Evocative of a woman who cheated on her husband and lost everything as a result.. Then ended it all. Because there was no forgiveness.
@Hipnoticed you miss the fact that train tracks are a common suicide method. This song touches on themes of mortality . 'Watch them disappear' is evocative of someone passing, as is 'she won't be coming back'. Miss Lucy was found 'down along the tracks'. why? Because she lost her home and her family. It is pronounced as 'Miss Loose'. Evocative of a woman who cheated on her husband and lost everything as a result.. Then ended it all. Because there was no forgiveness.