Long Train Runnin'

The Doobie Brothers

About Long Train Runnin'

"Long Train Runnin'" (or "Long Train Running") is a song recorded by The Doobie Brothers and written by band member Tom Johnston. It was included on the band's 1973 album The Captain and Me and released as a single, becoming a top 10 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 8. It was covered by Italian band Traks in 1982 and then by English girl group Bananarama in 1991. In 1993 the Doobie Brothers version was remixed and charted again in several countries, including reaching No. 7 in the UK Singles Chart.  


Year:
1973
3:25
5,058 
#5

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Down around the corner, half a mile from here
See them long trains run, and you watch them disappear
Without love, where would you be now
Without lo-o-o-ove

You know I saw miss Lucy down along the tracks
She lost her home and her family and she won't be coming back
Without love, where would you be right now
Without lo-o-o-ove

Well the Illinois Central
And the Southern Central Freight
Got to keep on pushin' mama
You know they're running late
Without love, where would you be now
Without lo-o-o-ve

Well the Illinois Central
And the Southern Central Freight
Got to keep on pushin' mama
You know they're running late
Without love, where would you be now
Without lo-o-o-ve

Well the pistons keep on turning
And the wheels go round and round
The steel rails are cold and hard
For the miles that they go down

Without love, where would you be right now
Without lo-o-o-ve ooh
Where would you be now

Mmm, got to get you, baby baby, won't you move it down?
Won't you move it down?
Baby, baby, baby, baby, won't you move it down?
When the big train run
When the train is movin' on I got to keep on movin'
Keep on movin'
Won't you keep on movin'?
Gonna keep on movin'

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The Doobie Brothers

The Doobie Brothers are an American rock band. The band has sold over 40 million albums worldwide throughout its career. The group was inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004. more »

5 fans

Written by: Tom Johnston

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Song Release
"Long Train Runnin'" is a song by the American rock band The Doobie Brothers. It was released in March 1973 as the first single from their album, "The Captain and Me."
Chart Standing
The song peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. It was also popular in some other countries, reaching number 7 in the UK Singles Chart.
Original Composition
Despite its complex arrangement, the song was originally composed by band member Tom Johnston as a basic guitar riff around which he would practice his fingerpick technique.
Lyrics Content
For years, the band played the song at concerts without any lyrics. The lyrics were hastily added when the producer Ted Templeman asked for lyrics to be written for it so it could be added to their album.
Influenced By
The song is strongly influenced by R&B and folk music, which is reflected in the song's harmonica solo, hypnotic groove, and its two-chord structure.
Song Length
The album version of "Long Train Runnin'" is eight minutes and 37 seconds long, while the single version released for radio play was shortened to just three minutes and 27 seconds.
Recognition Over Time
Despite not being initially recognized as a hit, the song has become one of The Doobie Brothers' most popular and enduring songs, frequently played on classic rock and oldies radio stations.
Regular Performance
This song remains a staple of the band's live set to this day; in fact, it's one of only a few of their songs that have been performed at every Doobie Brothers concert since its release.
Cover Versions
There have been numerous cover versions of "Long Train Runnin'" over the years, with notable covers being performed by artists such as Traks, Bananarama, and Bob Sinclar.
Music Video
A music video was also produced for the song "Long Train Runnin'", becoming particularly popular on MTV. In the video, the band is playing in the midst of a large party on a train.
Song Usage
The song's rhythmic groove and catchy chorus have also led to its frequent use in movies, television shows, and commercials, further increasing its exposure and popular recognition.

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    Long Train Runnin'

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1973

    Billboard #8


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