Train Coming Down the Track

“This Train Don’t Stop There Anymore” by Elton John is the final track on his 2001 album Songs from the West Coast. The song is written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. The lyrics in this song refer to John’s star no longer shining as bright, but he still tours and gives great performances worldwide. It was released as the second single from the album and made it on the UK Singles chart and was a Top 10 on the Adult Contemporary chart in the US.

“Midnight Train to Georgia” is a song made popular by Gladys Knight & the Pips and became Knight’s signature song. It is written by Jim Weatherly and included on their 1973 album Imagination. It was the group’s first single to hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group, or Chorus in 1974.

“Orange Blossom Special” is a fiddle tune written about a luxury passenger train of the same name. The song is written by Ervin T. Rouse and first recorded by Rouse and his brother Gordon in 1939. This song became known as “the fiddle player’s national anthem.” A popular version of the song was sung by Johnny Cash and on his album Orange Blossom Special in 1965. Cash sang the lyrics and replaced the fiddle part with two harmonicas and a saxophone.

“Last Train to Clarksville” is a song made popular by American pop rock band The Monkees. The song was released as their debut single in 1966 and included on their self-titled album. The song was written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and lead vocals were performed by The Monkees drummer Micky Dolenz and was featured in seven episodes of their TV series.

“Last Train to London” is a song by the English rock band Electric Light Orchestra ELO and the fifth track from their album Discovery. The song was released in 1979 and made it on the UK Singles chart and the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

“Crazy Train” is the debut solo single by English heavy metal vocalist Ozzy Osbourne. The song came out in 1980 and on his debut album as a solo artist Blizzard of Ozz 1980. It was written by Osbourne, Randy Rhoads, and Bob Daisley. The lyrics refer to the Cold War and the fear and annihilation during that time.

“Long Train Running” is a song recorded by The Doobie Brothers and was written by band member Tom Johnston. It is included in their 1973 album The Captain and Me. Released as a single, the song became a hit and was on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

“Train Kept A-Rollin” is a song first recorded by American jazz and rhythm and blues musician Tiny Bradshaw in 1951. It was originally performed in the style of jump blues. Bradshaw borrowed the lyrics from an earlier song and set it to an upbeat shuffle arrangement. In 1965 The Yardbirds popularized the song as an early psychedelic blues rock song. After guitarist Jimmy Page joined the group, they recorded an updated version of this song with new lyrics “Stroll On” for the movie “Blowup” in 1966.

“Love Train” is a hit single by The O’Jays and was written by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. It was released in 1972 and rose to number one on both the R&B Singles and Billboard Hot 100 charts. The song has been considered one of the first disco songs. It is on their album Back Stabbers.

“The Great Rock Island Route,” popularized as “Wabash Cannonball,” is a 19th-century American folk song describing the scenic beauty and predicaments of a fictional train. It became a staple of country music. The Carter Family made one of the first recordings of the song in 1929 but was released in 1932. The song has become part of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and roll list and is the oldest song on that list.