Soul Asylum — Runaway Train
Album: Grave Dancers UnionAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 722
Length: 4:16
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Call you up in the middle of the night
Like a firefly without a light
You were there like a blowtorch burning
I was a key that could use a little turning
So tired that I couldn't even sleep
So many secrets I couldn't keep
Promised myself I wouldn't weep
One more promise I couldn't keep
It seems no one can help me now
I'm in too deep
There's no way out
This time I have really lead myself astray
Runaway train never going back
Wrong way on a one-way track
Seems like I should be getting somewhere
Somehow I'm neither here nor there
Can 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 faded
I 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 train
And everything seems cut and dry
Day and night
Earth and sky
Somehow I just don't believe it
Runaway train never going back
Wrong way on a one-way track
Seems like I should be getting somewhere
Somehow I'm neither here nor there
Bought 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 pain
Runaway train never going back
Wrong way on a one-way track
Seems like I should be getting somewhere
Somehow I'm neither here nor there
Runaway 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
Like a firefly without a light
You were there like a blowtorch burning
I was a key that could use a little turning
So tired that I couldn't even sleep
So many secrets I couldn't keep
Promised myself I wouldn't weep
One more promise I couldn't keep
It seems no one can help me now
I'm in too deep
There's no way out
This time I have really lead myself astray
Runaway train never going back
Wrong way on a one-way track
Seems like I should be getting somewhere
Somehow I'm neither here nor there
Can 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 faded
I 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 train
And everything seems cut and dry
Day and night
Earth and sky
Somehow I just don't believe it
Runaway train never going back
Wrong way on a one-way track
Seems like I should be getting somewhere
Somehow I'm neither here nor there
Bought 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 pain
Runaway train never going back
Wrong way on a one-way track
Seems like I should be getting somewhere
Somehow I'm neither here nor there
Runaway 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
Comments (76)add comment
JAELLIS1114 wrote:
Thank god he was allowed to record!
Leonard Cohen should not have been allowed to record after the release of Suzanne - which has been performed way better by countless other musicians than he. RIP, Leonard Cohen. When your music comes on , I find other things to listen to.
Thank god he was allowed to record!
Leonard Cohen should not have been allowed to record after the release of Suzanne - which has been performed way better by countless other musicians than he. RIP, Leonard Cohen. When your music comes on , I find other things to listen to.
SnapDragon66 wrote:
Seems that you (we) are not alone in this
OMG, I feel stupid. I've always thought this was Tom Petty!! I'd never thought to check it, I was so convinced.
A great song, especially when driving.
Seems that you (we) are not alone in this
I would have bet it was tom petty's voice !
justin4kick wrote:
Coincidence?
no, not really. maybe in your mind though. keep up the therapy
Coincidence?
no, not really. maybe in your mind though. keep up the therapy
Coincidence?
another Great 90's hit
waaao... listening to this after probably a decade... touches me on so many different nodes...
Almo80 wrote:
Wonder if at least one of them was found...
sad music video, remember with all the runaway kids?.... 
Wonder if at least one of them was found...
After so many excellent songs this morning I guess it was time for a really bad one. Thanks anyway, Bill
I still remember the video clip playing on MTV
Yeah, when you’ve got a missing kid you don’t really want to hear this song.
Yes, this is when they broke out on the radio and we got sick of them. But.
...And the Horse They Rode in On is an earlier album that is awesome. Check it out. They were a good band.
...And the Horse They Rode in On is an earlier album that is awesome. Check it out. They were a good band.
OMG, I feel stupid. I've always thought this was Tom Petty!! I'd never thought to check it, I was so convinced.
A great song, especially when driving.
A great song, especially when driving.
njswede wrote:
C'mon, man,"three notes"? There are four chords that repeat in the verse and chorus (different chords in the pre-chorus), but three notes - nope. There are probably no songs in history comprised of just "three notes notes over and over", except maybe some "experimental" piece by John Cage or Philip Glass.
Repetetive and annoying. It's basically the same three notes notes over and over and over and over again.
C'mon, man,"three notes"? There are four chords that repeat in the verse and chorus (different chords in the pre-chorus), but three notes - nope. There are probably no songs in history comprised of just "three notes notes over and over", except maybe some "experimental" piece by John Cage or Philip Glass.
MrStatenIsle wrote:
And everyone else could sing along, at least to the chorus.
Great song.
Anyone around a camp fire or beach house with a guitar in the early 90s had to have this in their repertoire.
And everyone else could sing along, at least to the chorus.
Great song.Repetetive and annoying. It's basically the same three notes notes over and over and over and over again.
Anyone around a camp fire or beach house with a guitar in the early 90s had to have this in their repertoire.
They're still out there slugging it out live. Saw them a year ago...Pirner & Murphy are the only 2 originals left, and they still look and play exactly like they're frozen in time from the early 90's (which is a good thing by me).
Tommy Stinson from The 'Mats is on bass, and Michael Bland (formerly with Prince) is on drums. There were about 100 people at Viper Alley in Lincolnshire, IL, and it was a nice effort all the way around.
Tommy Stinson from The 'Mats is on bass, and Michael Bland (formerly with Prince) is on drums. There were about 100 people at Viper Alley in Lincolnshire, IL, and it was a nice effort all the way around.
jdhockey526 wrote:
That video was powerful. I remember watching it one morning before work, waiting for my carpool to show up....and it had me in tears just as I had to go out and say good morning to my friends. It wasn't just a video...those were real kids. Who hurt as badly as the person whose perspective the song was written from.
From Wiki: The music video for "Runaway Train" featured photographs and names of missing children in a public service video style. At the end of the video, Pirner appears and says "If you've seen one of these kids, or you are one of them, please call this number" before a missing children telephone helpline number appeared. For use outside the USA, the video was edited to include photos and names of missing children from the area the video would be used. The video was instrumental in reuniting several children with their families.
That video was powerful. I remember watching it one morning before work, waiting for my carpool to show up....and it had me in tears just as I had to go out and say good morning to my friends. It wasn't just a video...those were real kids. Who hurt as badly as the person whose perspective the song was written from.
C'mon, this is a good song. Soundtrack for life in my 20s.
I have some fantastic memories of listening to this album!
Homesick was always my favorite song from this album, but it doesn't look like anyone has uploaded it. I'd upload it, but my copy of this album was stolen (along with about 100 other cds) not long after I moved to NW Ohio.
Homesick was always my favorite song from this album, but it doesn't look like anyone has uploaded it. I'd upload it, but my copy of this album was stolen (along with about 100 other cds) not long after I moved to NW Ohio.
make it stop
This song could be used as the posterchild of all that was wrong with the grunge movement. It is not technically too bad, but boy is it cheesy!
daveesh wrote:
are you freakin KIDDING me? this is absolute CRAP!
- "It did sound a little wet, there didn't it? Right at the end! Oooh! Heh-heh-heh. Let's have a smell all right? Hmmm, wafting, wafting. Ooh, everyone likes their own brand, don't they? Oh, this is magic! All right, analysis. Smells like carrots in throw-up! Ooh, that could gag a maggot! I smell like hot sick ass on a dead carcass! Even stink would say that stinks! You know when you go into an apartment building and you smell the other people's cooking on each floor and you go "What are they cookin'?" That, plus crap!"
Can't stop myself from singing along to the chorus...
The 90's.........interesting time.
Love this. Still. Anthem for a teenager in the 90's, yep.
jeremyleo wrote:
You're lucky. In the UK, commercial radio still is playing this, and they've long since killed it.
No thanks. Not a fan of this song (or this band). Besides, commercial radio pretty much played this to death back when it came out.
You're lucky. In the UK, commercial radio still is playing this, and they've long since killed it.
jeremyleo wrote:
Besides, commercial radio pretty much played this to death back when it came out.
I hadn't heard this song in at least 10 years, and I could go 10 times that not hearing it again. I get the mind's equivalent of throwing up in my mouth a little bit on this one.
tompoll wrote:
I've never seen grey people before. Scary.
I think they might be related...
Beautiful! Thanks for this song!
I've never seen grey people before. Scary.
I am running to put on my ripped jeans... Love this song. Love that is only on once a year... but love this song.
kerr wrote:
Always thought this was a Tom Petty song - my ignorance never ends. . .
I always thought it was Axl Rose- I guess all of his stuff does suck then
can 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 faded
Yep...still.love.it.
Gone Dead Train. Crazy Horse. Best trainsong,nuff said.
Ugh the couplets get to me after a while. Rhyme Rhyme, Rhyme Rhyme
No thanks. Not a fan of this song (or this band). Besides, commercial radio pretty much played this to death back when it came out.
Odyzzeuz wrote:
This one hit makes me wonder whether Soul Asylum had another.
Black Gold is on this CD also. I personally love the whole CD.
daveesh wrote:
are you freakin KIDDING me? this is absolute CRAP!
This may be crap, but I don't think that it's absolute. It's like 3 standard deviations from absolute crap. Besides, it's kind of catchy and reminds me of early high school. I think I shall give it a 7.
kerr wrote:
Always thought this was a Tom Petty song - my ignorance never ends...
Well, it sounds like Tom Petty
daveesh wrote:
are you freakin KIDDING me? this is absolute CRAP!
bought a ticket for a runaway train
like a madman laughing at the rain
little out of touch, little insane
it's just easier than dealing with the pain
bwaahahahahahaha
This one hit makes me wonder whether Soul Asylum had another.
How about Spanish Train by Chris DeBurgh
kerr wrote:
Always thought this was a Tom Petty song - my ignorance never ends...
I'll join that club.
are you freakin KIDDING me? this is absolute CRAP!
Great song, fun theme for a set:
6:09 am - Soul Asylum - Runaway Train
6:05 am - Tom Waits - Downtown Train
6:01 am - Cactus Brothers - Big Train
5:57 am - Entrain - Off This Train
5:53 am - Savoy Brown - Train to Nowhere
5:47 am - Mark Knopfler - Gravy Train
5:44 am - Phish - Back on the Train
A new precedent for train of thought. How long can this go on ...
Always thought this was a Tom Petty song - <sigh> my ignorance never ends...
jdhockey526 wrote:
From Wiki: The music video for "Runaway Train" featured photographs and names of missing children in a public service video style. At the end of the video, Pirner appears and says "If you've seen one of these kids, or you are one of them, please call this number" before a missing children telephone helpline number appeared. For use outside the USA, the video was edited to include photos and names of missing children from the area the video would be used. The video was instrumental in reuniting several children with their families.
That's kind of cool. I've always loved this song. Gets stuck in my head for a day...but that's ok.
Seems like I should be getting somewhere.
Some how I'm neither here nor there.
I love this song, the video is very depressing, almost made me cry, it was very sad to watch the video, song
I would love if this set ended with Van Morrison's Fast Train.
leoparadise wrote:
This is one of those bands I was really into when I was about 11 or 12, also The Lemonheads and Gin Blossoms, that I don't hear anything about anymore.
But I do think it holds up. I still really like this album.
Same here!! I remember how sad the music video for this song always used to get me.
Recently I've uploaded Art Brut's "Blame It On The Trains". Maybe this will go in this train set
Darn, and I was waiting for Ozzy to come on and yell "All Aboard!". 
next up, two trains by the feat!
Simply a great end to a great train set.
I couldn't sit down fast enough to laugh about this song! It was so overplayed in its day and is sort of a joke now. Having said that I miss and love Soul Asylum. I too remember Lemonheads, Gin Blossoms, and all the rest. Great stuff to re-visit.
I used to hate this song.
I mean, "bought a ticket for a runaway train/like a madman laughing at the rain," - what does that mean?
Since then I've developed a better appreciation for Soul Asylum and while I don't love them, this is a decent track and, in retrospect, certainly worthy of late-80s airplay.
From Wiki: The music video for "Runaway Train" featured photographs and names of missing children in a public service video style. At the end of the video, Pirner appears and says "If you've seen one of these kids, or you are one of them, please call this number" before a missing children telephone helpline number appeared. For use outside the USA, the video was edited to include photos and names of missing children from the area the video would be used. The video was instrumental in reuniting several children with their families.
What will he play next? "Stop That Train" by Vanilla Ice?
dexev wrote:
Seven:
12:13 pm - Soul Asylum - Runaway Train
12:09 pm - Tom Waits - Downtown Train
12:05 pm - Cactus Brothers - Big Train
12:01 pm - Entrain - Off This Train
11:57 am - Savoy Brown - Train to nowhere
11:51 am - Mark Knopfler - Gravy Train
11:48 am - Phish - Back on the Train
sad music video, remember with all the runaway kids?....
Man this is lame! Death to the big-hair ballad!
Now the seventh song about "train" in a row.
Bill you must be kidding us.
This is one of those bands I was really into when I was about 11 or 12, also The Lemonheads and Gin Blossoms, that I don't hear anything about anymore.
But I do think it holds up. I still really like this album.
Agent510 wrote:
5 songs about trains in a row? Ha!
Seven:
12:13 pm - Soul Asylum - Runaway Train
12:09 pm - Tom Waits - Downtown Train
12:05 pm - Cactus Brothers - Big Train
12:01 pm - Entrain - Off This Train
11:57 am - Savoy Brown - Train to nowhere
11:51 am - Mark Knopfler - Gravy Train
11:48 am - Phish - Back on the Train
Meh. If you're gonna play them, play "We Three". That's a worthwhile tune.
Agent510 wrote:
5 songs about trains in a row? Ha!
We could probably fill up 24 hours of train songs on RP....
god, haven't heard this in forever. it was so overplayed back in the day, but it sounds good now. was always a good song!
Brings back great memories of my childhood.
5 songs about trains in a row?
Terrific songwriting on this track, and it's just so beautiful.
Please play it at some point... pretty please.... 
agoston wrote:
please play this
please play this
C'mon, man,"three notes"? There are four chords that repeat in the verse and chorus (different chords in the pre-chorus), but three notes - nope. There are probably no songs in history comprised of just "three notes notes over and over", except maybe some "experimental" piece by John Cage or Philip Glass.
So