This week’s mission for Song Lyric Sunday, as Jim tells us in his post One If By Land etc, is to play a song that includes a mode of transport, either going by land (road or rail), water, or air, at the suggestion of Di of pensitivity101. Ever my indecisive self I couldn’t choose between two of my favourites, so I’m playing both. One has been featured in SLS previously, the other hasn’t but has been in Tuesday Tunes three times, but they are both so good that they merit another airing. I expect you will be familiar with both, so come along with me for the ride.
This is my lead song for today. Not only is it a superb song, but while you watch the video think about runaway children who have been lost to their families. Many have been found as a result of this video and the publicity it generated, but sadly many others are still missing, as you can see from the comments if you watch it on YouTube:
And here are the lyrics:
Like a firefly without a light
You were there like a blowtorch burning
I was a key that could use a little turning
So many secrets I couldn’t keep
Promised myself I wouldn’t weep
I’m in too deep
There’s no way out
Wrong way on a one-way track
Seems like I should be getting somewhere
Somehow I’m neither here nor thereCan you help me remember how to smile?
Make it somehow all seem worthwhile
How on earth did I get so jaded?
Life’s mysteries seem so fadedI can go where no one else can go
I know what no one else knows
Here I am, just drowning in the rain
With a ticket for a runaway trainAnd everything seems cut and dry
Day and night
Earth and sky
Somehow I just don’t believe itRunaway train never going back
Wrong way on a one-way track
Seems like I should be getting somewhere
Somehow I’m neither here nor thereBought a ticket for a runaway train
Like a madman laughing at the rain
A little out of touch, a little insane
It’s just easier than dealing with the painRunaway train never going back
Wrong way on a one-way track
Seems like I should be getting somewhere
Somehow I’m neither here nor thereRunaway train never coming back
Runaway train tearing up the track
Runaway train burning in my veins
I run away but it always seems the same
Source: azlyrics.com
Songwriter: Dave Pirner
Soul Asylum were formed in Minneapolis in 1981, and Runaway Train was their first big success. With all that is wrong in the world today, and especially after the murder of a woman in Minneapolis this week, this is a heartbreaking watch: it makes me so grateful for my family. This was the third track on Soul Asylum’s sixth album, Grave Dancers Union, which was released in October 1992 and became their first album to make the charts anywhere, ultimately peaking at #11 in the US and #27 in the UK. Runaway Train was released in June 1993 as the third single from the album, and was the main driver for the album’s success, getting to #5 in the US, #1 in Canada, and #7 in the UK, as well as making the top ten in many other countries. I used to play the album a lot during my long commute around the North Circular Road in London, and still bring it out occasionally now: this song is too good to ignore!
The video has done a lot towards drawing attention to the plight of runaway children, though these aren’t all success stories. if you want to know more I suggest Wikipedia’s page for the song. In sales terms this was huge: the album went 2x Platinum in the US and Canada, and Gold in the UK and several other countries. The single also went Double Platinum in the US and Canada, and Silver in the UK (though it outsold Canada). It also won the Grammy Award For Best Rock Song in 1994.
And here is today’s second tune, which I played in December 2024:
As I said before, this is the official video but it isn’t from the band’s own YouTube page, so it is a little bit grainy. The song is still magnificent, though:
And here are the lyrics
Sailing a reach before a followin’ sea
She was makin’ for the trades on the outside
And the downhill run to Papeete
We got eighty feet of the waterline nicely making way
In a noisy bar in Avalon I tried to call you
But on a midnight watch I realized why twice you ran away
Think about how many times I have fallen
Spirits are using me, larger voices callin’
What Heaven brought you and me cannot be forgotten
Lookin’ (lookin’ for that woman girl)
Who knows she knows (who knows love can endure)
And you know it will
You understand now why you came this way
‘Cause the truth you might be runnin’ from is so small
But it’s as big as the promise, the promise of a comin’ day
And my love is an anchor tied to you (tied with a silver chain)
I have my ship and all her flags are a-flyin’
She is all that I have left and music is her name
Think about how many times I have fallen
Spirits are using me, larger voices callin’
What Heaven brought you and me cannot be forgotten
Lookin’ (lookin’ for that woman girl)
(Who knows love can endure)
And you know it will
And you know it will
And we never failed to fail it was the easiest thing to do
You will survive being bested
Somebody fine will come along make me forget about loving you
And the southern cross
Publisher: MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Wixen Music Publishing
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind
Take It Easy 
