Runaway Train (John Stewart & Rosanne Cash versions)

[missea1000]

If I'm not mistaken Roseanne Cash sings backup on the John Stewart version.

[dkstewart1]

Much prefer Roseanne Cash's solo version.

[serathan]

I have been a fan since 1977 of all his music. I did see him live once and will never forget that day I drove 3 hours to see him play for 45 minutes - i am crying as most of the favorites make me do - you know music is good when it reaches the soul - and he had that talent. My son plays guitar, self taught and is trying - its a hard business and I hope he can find a way to make a life with it. He has a good and gentle heart.

[seasideshelby1]

I MUCH prefer Jon's version.. because of his voice.. and it just a GREAT SONG, PERIOD. AND I so love hearing the artist doing his own work.. but thats just me.:) Jon was a great talent and gifted songwriter who is missed....

[biggaspirit1]

Albert Lee does this well.

RIP John.

[fingerpik]

@krabbyappleton Mary Chapin Carpenter and John Jennings

[TheMKEWERBY]

Personally, I prefer Roseanne's version. You know, I've known it for longer and just like the sound quality and timbre of the melody of her rendition more than John's.

[Hyxu]

A strong resemblance to Lindsey Buckingham's early 90's style is unmistakably felt in the beautiful coda.

No coincidence, of course.

[countrynuno]

I love both versions, Rosanne's has more pop power

[lilbrid2]

I always love to hear artists do their own work.

[kroenik1]

Amazing!!!!

Kerstin~~~~

[lildoozcoop]

I love this song, but surely it is an allegory of more than falling headlong in love. It has some very dark moments. And what is the reference to American Flyers about?

[moetheshmoe]

American Flyers was a type of train

[FolkFaves]

The CD "Punch The Big Guy" is still available, as well as iTunes and Amazon have it available to download.

The best chance for a re-release of John singing it would be if either someone used it in a movie, or if someone else covered it...

[llewops]

I have to believe that some smart producer and director will make the "mental leap" (an Einsteinium term) in a movie that exemplifies one of the greatest man/woman loves of all time by featuring John Stewart's voice and lyrics in "Runaway Train." Men and women await movies that portray strong emotions, especially in this fast-paced

21st Century workforce. All of us yearn for the one "great love." I think this has always been true.

[FolkFaves]

The Roasanne Cash cover starts @ 4:00

[fingerpik]

I remember back in the 80s sitting around a campfire in the Texas Hill Country. John played this song in a much more acoustical and gentle version.  MCC and JJ walked of into the night and when they came back, they had turned it into the version you hear now. They had turned it into a "Runaway Train". John liked it so much, his version started to sound more like it does now. RC heard MCC's version and put it on the King Record album. Ther rest is history...

fingerpik (Dan the Tire Man)

[FolkFaves]

VERY COOL!

I heard RC do it first, then found John's on iTunes & loved it. It's just hands down a great song. As someone who does lots of train videos, I think that the "Runaway Train" treatment is perfect for it! (I used Dave Carter's "Little Liza Jane" - it reminds me of it!)

Last year I was set to hear Jon Stewart at the Ocean Shores Music Festival, but unfortunately, he passed on a few months before it. Country Joe was his stand in. I (& most there) would have much prefered John Stewart.

[llewops]

I'm so sorry to learn that John Stewart passed. IMHO, his version of his lyrics are the ultimate match, though RCC does this well, too. The human race so much needs to hear either version of John's lyrics during this recent financial turmoil. This is very much a Woody Guthrie moment in time. Thank you for keeping us informed. I think Rosanne will rise to the call of performing this song in light of her father's commitment to the common man. Like her father, she's a great humanitarian.

[FolkFaves]

I noticed that the credits for the song on "Punch The Big Guy" are "Chuck McDermott, John Stewart"

Did Chuck McDermott do the lyrics or the melody? Or was it a joint venture?

[fingerpik]

That is a good question. John always said it was his song. I wish he had continued to come to Kerrville over the years because he was a good teacher and a novice songwriter can learn a lot from a man like him. It's kind of like..."Don't Laugh At Me"...who wrote what??? Steve or Allan??? Or "Pretty Woman"...Roy or Bill???...Or "Sixteen Tons"...George or Merle???...Or "Wreck On The Highway"...Dorsey or Roy???

One thing for sure...It makes for great folklore....fingerpik

[musicisinmysoul]

Great song from one of the greatest writers of our time! I think that the first line of the bridge is "Steel Rails and Heart Lines" which ties in the allegory of the train to the out-of-control romance.

[FolkFaves]

You are right - I just checked the Jon Stewart site: RUNAWAY TRAIN John Stewart I'm worried about you And I'm worried about me The curves around midnight Aren't easy to see The flashing red warning Unseen in the rain This thing has turned into A runaway train Long distance phone calls There's a voice on the line Electrical miles that soften the time And dynamite too is hooked on the wire So are the rails of American flyers...

[FolkFaves]

Blind boys and gamblers They invented the blues We'll pay up in blood When this marker comes due To try and get off now Is about as insane As those who wave lanterns At runaway trains This thing has turned into A runaway train Oh, steel rails and heartlines They are always in twos I have been here before, yeah And now it's with you...

[FolkFaves]

I'm worried about you And I'm worried about me We're lighting the fuses And counting to three What are the choices For those who remain? The sign of the cross Or the runaway train? This thing has turned into A runaway train Our love has turned into A runaway train

[john9944]

This is probably the greatest alegory of love ever written. Love can be a runaway train. "What are the choices of those who remain. The sign of the cross on a run away train." God, John what a tune what a legacy of words and music. I will always miss you. "To try to get off now is just as insane... as those who wave lanterns at run away trains." I think the guitarist playing tele on the Roseanne version is the great Albert Lee.

[FolkFaves]

Thanks for the comment! It sure is and seems very overlooked now days.

I'm not sure if you are familiar with Lucy Kaplansky, she has done some covers, much slower than the originals: "I've Just Seen a Face" and "More Than This" come to mind. I'd love to hear someone do the same to this, though the pace of the train would be lost.

A few other singer/songwriters to check, who are faves of mine: Richard Shindell, Kieran Goss, Paul Brady, Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer, Dar Williams, Christy Moore,