Soul Asylum - Runaway Train

  

Runaway Train by Soul Asylum

ALBUM
Grave Dancers Union, 1993 (sixth release)

BAND MEMBERS AT THE TIME
Karl Mueller, Dan Murphy, Dave Pirner, Grant Young

FUN FACT
The band’s first live show was at the same club in Minneapolis where Prince filmed scenes in Purple Rain.

ABOUT THE SONG
The lyrics are about a depressive period Pirner had gone through, comparing the feeling of helplessness to a runaway train. The song’s video features images of missing people, which were changed in American regions where the video played to show more-local people. Because of it, 21 were reunited with their families.

LYRICS
Call you up in the middle of the night
Like a firefly without a light
You were there like a blowtorch burnin’
I was a key that could use a little turnin’

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 led 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

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 coming back
Runaway train tearing up the track
Runaway train burning in my veins
I run away but it always seems the same

VIDEO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRtvqT_wMeY