dknelson wrote: An obvious one is Duke Ellington and Billie Strayhorn's "Take the A Train." The story of this song is funny: Ellington wrote out directions for how to get to his home, and when Strayhorn arrived he had set the directions to music. Out of that came Take the A Train, a big band classic.
An obvious one is Duke Ellington and Billie Strayhorn's "Take the A Train." The story of this song is funny: Ellington wrote out directions for how to get to his home, and when Strayhorn arrived he had set the directions to music. Out of that came Take the A Train, a big band classic.
Oddball trivia fact. The melody from "Take the A Train" has also been used for a Norwegian hit song about trains from about 1980. "Dra med krøderbanen" (Travel on the Krøder RR line).
Krøderbanen (the Krøderfjord RR line) is a small 16 mile long tourist train operation running steam trains in SE Norway, at Vikersund, north of the city of Drammen.
Smile, Stein
How about Morning Train by Sheena Easton?
George
"And the sons of Pullman porters and the sons of engineers ride their father's magic carpet made of steel..."
I'd like to add one of my favorites: "Orange Blossom Special" done by Cajun fiddler Doug Kershaw. At he end, he makes sounds just like a steamer exhausting steam after a long run. I seem to recall, also, that Buck Owens did that one, too.
SF Bill
tomikawaTT wrote: I am a classical music buff, so I don't hear many songs with railroad lyrics - but there are two works from the Classical Pops repertoire that fit the bill:Little Train of the Caipira (Villa-Lobos.)Pacific 2-3-1 (Honneger.)Interestingly, radio announcers almost always title the latter, "Pacific two thirty one." Typically technologically challenged media types, they don't realize that the numerics are the axle arrangement, not the road number.Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
I am a classical music buff, so I don't hear many songs with railroad lyrics - but there are two works from the Classical Pops repertoire that fit the bill:
Interestingly, radio announcers almost always title the latter, "Pacific two thirty one." Typically technologically challenged media types, they don't realize that the numerics are the axle arrangement, not the road number.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
In 1900 the Northern Pacific invited a number of dignitaries to ride on the inaugural run of the North Coast Limited from St.Paul MN to the Pacific Ocean. One of them was the composer Arthur Honneger. Honneger later wrote a piece called "Pacific 231" referring to the trip made to the Pacific Ocean, and the engine that pulled the train - an NP 4-6-0 #231. A picture of the train with 231 on the point is on pg. 110 of "Northern Pacific Views: The Railroad Photography of F.Jay Haynes 1976-1905" by Edward W. Nolan.
In Europe a "Pacific" would be called a 2-3-1 (counting axles) but in North America it would of course be a 4-6-2 (counting wheels). Of course the Pacific type engine hadn't been invented or named yet in 1900. So "Pacific Two Thirty-One" would be the preferred way to say it, since that's how locomotive numbers usually are read.
p.s. When I've heard it played, they usually say "Pacific 2-3-1" !!
steinjr wrote:The melody from "Take the A Train" has also been used for a Norwegian hit song about trains from about 1980. "Dra med krøderbanen" (Travel on the Krøder RR line). Krøderbanen (the Krøderfjord RR line) is a small 16 mile long tourist train operation running steam trains in SE Norway, at Vikersund, north of the city of Drammen. Smile, Stein
The melody from "Take the A Train" has also been used for a Norwegian hit song about trains from about 1980. "Dra med krøderbanen" (Travel on the Krøder RR line).
Rhonda Vincent recorded a song titled "The Passing of the Train". It was written by a duo.
Andrew
Watch my videos on-line at https://www.youtube.com/user/AndrewNeilFalconer
wjstix wrote: tomikawaTT wrote: I am a classical music buff, so I don't hear many songs with railroad lyrics - but there are two works from the Classical Pops repertoire that fit the bill:Little Train of the Caipira (Villa-Lobos.)Pacific 2-3-1 (Honneger.)Interestingly, radio announcers almost always title the latter, "Pacific two thirty one." Typically technologically challenged media types, they don't realize that the numerics are the axle arrangement, not the road number.Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)In 1900 the Northern Pacific invited a number of dignitaries to ride on the inaugural run of the North Coast Limited from St.Paul MN to the Pacific Ocean. One of them was the composer Arthur Honneger. Honneger later wrote a piece called "Pacific 231" referring to the trip made to the Pacific Ocean, and the engine that pulled the train - an NP 4-6-0 #231. A picture of the train with 231 on the point is on pg. 110 of "Northern Pacific Views: The Railroad Photography of F.Jay Haynes 1976-1905" by Edward W. Nolan.In Europe a "Pacific" would be called a 2-3-1 (counting axles) but in North America it would of course be a 4-6-2 (counting wheels). Of course the Pacific type engine hadn't been invented or named yet in 1900. So "Pacific Two Thirty-One" would be the preferred way to say it, since that's how locomotive numbers usually are read. p.s. When I've heard it played, they usually say "Pacific 2-3-1" !!
The O'Jays - Love TrainWarren Zevon - Poor Poor Pitiful Me. Linda Ronstadt also covered it.
"Well I'd lay my head on the railroad tracks
Waitin' on the double E.
But the train don't run by here no more
Poor poor pitiful me."
Arthur Honneger's "Pacific 231" is a rather prime example of what was termed "Musique Mechanique" which was a short-lived outgrowth of the Post-Impressionist era in 1920's France. There are several other examples of this type of music--George Antheil's "Ballet Mechanique" and a work by a Russian composer called "Factory" (which calls for among other interesting instruments, a set of some five air-conditioning fans and factory sirens). Honneger originally wrote two works entitled "Toccatas For Orchestra", one of which is subtitled "Pacific 231" and the other subtitled "Rugby". Honneger loved two things besides music--trains and sports.
Another classical work that, whether intended or not, incorporates the sense of the movement of a train is the second movement of Aaron Copland's magnificent Third Symphony.
And for movie-lovers, don't forget ON THE ATCHISON, TOPEKA AND SANTA FE, a song that won the 1946 Academy Award from the film THE HARVEY GIRLS. Terrific little 'show-biz' tune with very clever lyrics.
Tom
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!
Mark,
As many hours as I've spent riding EMU's around the Yamanote-sen (every modeler's dream railroad - one great big loop!) you've got my curiosity aroused.
One other that I haven't seen mentioned, which I heard being sung by some of my fellow riders the one and only time I ever rode the ICG (Amtrak) City of New Orleans in 1975. It' s stuck in my mind ever since.
City of New Orleans. Arlo Guthrie.
Well if we're talking about songs rather than CD/ album covers then we can add
Saxon - Princess of the night
Lonnie Donegan - Rock Island Line ( I believe Johnny Cash also covered this)
Lee Hazlewood - The Long Black train
The Who - 5:15
Shaun
Seems like for decades "American Music" has been filled with references to trains and railroads. ie "Last Train To Clarksville" by The Monkeys circa mid 60's.
Wesleyman
tomikawaTT wrote:Mark,As many hours as I've spent riding EMU's around the Yamanote-sen (every modeler's dream railroad - one great big loop!) you've got my curiosity aroused.
marknewton wrote:As an aside, I know I'm not the youngest person posting here by any means, but after seeing some of the songs and albums listed, I have to ask how many of you blokes have bought or listened to any new music in the last 10-20 years? All the best,Mark.
I know I'm not the oldest person here (by at least a decade or two!) but what I do have is a long memory...
Speaking of which, how many people recall Dizzy Dean's brief sojurn into sports broadcasting? He liked to break into the first verse of The Wabash Cannonball!
The Big Band Era is chock-a-block with railroad references, from the aforementioned "A Train" to "Sentimental Journey," "Chattanooga Choo Choo," and having taken the A Train, Mel Torme insists that you "Let Me Off Uptown." In New York, New York, (a Heluva Town) The people ride in a hole in the ground."
And you can't forget "Poor Poor Pitiful Me" by Warren Zevon, made popular by Linda Ronstadt, or Bob Dylan's "Slow Train Comin'". BTO suggests you "Take the 8:15 into the city" to Take Care of Business, and who was the band with the early 80's video.. "Riding on the Metro"
Back in the 80's I was building an N scale display layout for the Western Maryland Ry Historical Soc. in Union Bridge, and I contacted Jerry Grey, the bluegrass DJ at WAMU in Washington at the time. He graciously put together a tape of 30 or 40 bluegrass and country western tunes with railroad themes. I've got that floating around somewhere.. sooner or later I'll burn it to MP3's so I can listen to it again... Cassettes are so yesterday!
Now I want to go listen to some records!!
Lee
Route of the Alpha Jets www.wmrywesternlines.net
Let us not forget the all-time Scout camp smash, (I've been) Workin' On the Railroad.
I gather that Dinah was the camp cook, but why would she blow a horn instead of running the soup ladle around the triangle?
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Slowly goin' through the CD collection, yet another Lee Hazlewood one - Workin' on the railroad.
I does seem that there is a lack of references to music/ railroad post the late 60's
marknewton wrote: wjstix wrote: tomikawaTT wrote: I am a classical music buff, so I don't hear many songs with railroad lyrics - but there are two works from the Classical Pops repertoire that fit the bill:Little Train of the Caipira (Villa-Lobos.)Pacific 2-3-1 (Honneger.)Interestingly, radio announcers almost always title the latter, "Pacific two thirty one." Typically technologically challenged media types, they don't realize that the numerics are the axle arrangement, not the road number.Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)In 1900 the Northern Pacific invited a number of dignitaries to ride on the inaugural run of the North Coast Limited from St.Paul MN to the Pacific Ocean. One of them was the composer Arthur Honneger. Honneger later wrote a piece called "Pacific 231" referring to the trip made to the Pacific Ocean, and the engine that pulled the train - an NP 4-6-0 #231. A picture of the train with 231 on the point is on pg. 110 of "Northern Pacific Views: The Railroad Photography of F.Jay Haynes 1976-1905" by Edward W. Nolan.In Europe a "Pacific" would be called a 2-3-1 (counting axles) but in North America it would of course be a 4-6-2 (counting wheels). Of course the Pacific type engine hadn't been invented or named yet in 1900. So "Pacific Two Thirty-One" would be the preferred way to say it, since that's how locomotive numbers usually are read. p.s. When I've heard it played, they usually say "Pacific 2-3-1" !! WJSTIX, what's your source for this information? According to Honegger's biography he was born in 1892, so in 1900 he was 8 years old. There's no mention of him travelling to the US at this stage of his life. He didn't write "Pacific 231" until 1923, nor was that it's original title. Cheers,Mark.
Interesting!! Well the source was the above mentioned book...unless I read something into it that wasn't there - maybe I just assumed that he had been one of the dignitaries on the train. Either that or he was on the train as a child and wrote the piece years later??
I'm curious now, what was the original title, and when did it change. I know NP did a movie promoting the NCL in the late twenties that was one of the first non-Hollywood movies to use a recorded music soundtrack, maybe they used Honeggers work for that and got him to change the name to Pacific 231 in honor of the first NCL's power??
How about "The Acheson, Topeka and Santa Fe, by Johnny Mercer.
Midnight Train To Georgia, Gladys Knight and The Pips
More on classic country & trains (was just reminded of this a few nights ago)
Hank Williams' song "Pan American" was based on the passenger train of course, & this was brought up again the other night-The line in the song "When you pass that Nashville tower, you can hear that whistle whine", the tower in question was the WSM tower in Brentwood, a southern suburb of Nashville (& now where a lot of the stars live.) A few years ago on a special WSM 80th anniversary broadcast, They played this song, mentioned the above, & from what I understand, WSM set their on air time signal at 5PM (in a sense) by the Pan American coming into town from the south daily, & had a live microphone at the tower. They actually had a saved clip of it & I thought it was neat as all get out. The announcer said, "This is WSM-It's 5 O'Clock", & then you heard a steam whistle approaching, & then the train passing. It was steam era of course, & from the sound, the track had to run pretty close to the tower.
Very Cool IMO. I wish a sound byte of it was available.
I always liked 'Driver 8' by REM, and recently 'Long Black Train' by Josh Turner.
Getting more esoteric, there's 'Lucretia, My Reflection" by Sisters of Mercy. A progressive band from the 70's called Renaissance created some of the most intricate locomotion in their songs, particularly 'Ashes Are Burning, 'Running Hard,' 'Things I Don't Understand,' and 'Mother Russia.'
Nelson
Ex-Southern 385 Being Hoisted