There are two artists with this name:

1. Formed by Nate Greely and S… Read Full Bio ↴There are two artists with this name:

1. Formed by Nate Greely and Sean Spillane, two Texan transplants in Los Angeles, in 1994, Arlo released their first full length, Up High In The Night, on Sub Pop in 2001. Ryan "Shmedly" Maynes joined the group soon after and contributed songs to the second album Stab The Unstoppable Hero. The group disbanded in early 2004 after the departure of their second drummer (and former child prodigy/session musician) Joaquin Revuelta. Spillane went on to join Midway. Nate and Shmedly were touring members of The Seeds. Nate started Yes Dear with members of Ozma, and currently plays with The Elected and Johnathan Rice. Shmedly released an album as The Electrolites and currently fronts Secret Powers. In 2010, Spillane wrote, performed and recorded originals songs that made up the soundtrack for "The Woman", a horror film directed by Lucky Mckee, which was released in October, 2011.

2. arlo from New Zealand. Lo-fi, pop, diy, punk, tunes that invade your mind. slob was released on 4/20.

Little American
Arlo Lyrics

We have lyrics for these tracks by Arlo:

Changing By Tom Paxton Oh the price of gold is rising out…
Fall I'm just a mirror in your eyes I was not made…
One by One Butterflies in my skull when you sat me down At the…
Rivers From this valley they say you are going We will miss…

Runaround Once upon a midnight dreary I woke with something in my…
Shutterbug I hear the click clack click of the camera eye…
Up When I was younger She'd come to me in dreams Her face…

The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos

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01Little American2:21

PT2M21S

Arlo

02Working Title3:17

03Runaround2:59

04Stab the Unstoppable Hero3:53

10Too Sick to Tango3:45

11Upstate3:00

12Linger On3:46

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Comments from YouTube:

@marilyndaniels9562

4y↑2.3K

I am black I had a sister that liked country western songs. when I was a teen this song came out my sister which was a older teen used to sing this song to me and dance this little country dance after a while she had me singing the song I never could do the dance but she convinced me how great the song the city of New Orleans is. She is no longer on this t plain but iI still see her singing and dancing her little made up country dance and it always makes me smile. Thank u Arlo gutherie

@7rays

3y↑35

❤️

@zq9m3xh8

3y↑109

This beautiful memory brought a tear to my eyes and a smile to my face. God bless you and the memory of your sister.

@scottzema3103

3y↑61

What a lovely memory,

@perryharper3085

3y↑55

Such a beautiful memory I can imagine 😊❤️

@dugroz

3y↑52

God bless you. Glad you have this memory of your sister.

249 More Replies...

@TheRoger1205

39w↑56

Spoke to my 87 year old father today and he told me this was his favorite song. Listening now I am just in tears.

@002lisamarie

15w

Do you visit him x

@billhill4929

I’m surprised you didn’t know it before that this is his favorite song

@thomasewing2656

2y↑28

The 'City of New Orleans' should be America's National Folk Song.

@GordonTurnerpark

11w↑1

It’s my song, but I’m a railroader.

@TalenGryphon

1y↑16

My Grandpa Jim is dying and his memory is so far gone he no longer recognizes my voice on the phone. But the image if him and grandma Dee singing along to this while driving to Soap Lake WA in their old red Chevy will be forever etched into my memory; A bright and sunny day when the dragonflies were everywhere. No matter what this song will forever remind me of him

@ginosguns4842

1y↑1

Praying for you precious grandfather

@guyrobinson7857

10w↑1

Thank you for sharing your wonderful story. God bless you and yours.

@johnthistle1202

10w↑1

That's a wonderful memory.

@alanlamb7062

2y↑15

Mississippi boy here, in 1984 I got lost as an exchange student in the mountains of Austria, (missed a train), finally got in touch with the family I was staying with, the father finally made to me after several hours, while riding back to the hotel that he owned this song came on the car radio, he turned it up, that 19 year old me right then and there was changed forever in ways I’ll never be able to explain, thx Arlo and Steve!

@sarahschmidt4177

4y↑982

When I was 20 this song touched me, but I did not know why; now that I am 70, I know.

@kierrareid8925

4y↑5

Why mike?

@coronixtv5630

4y↑3

@@kierrareid8925 i think its german

@charleshaynes8052

4y↑13

I heaard this song when I was 10 years old, now I'm 59 and still love to listen to it- always will too!

@RC_Colorado

4y↑3

roger that!

@MARTINN7777

4y↑1

I feel ya.Said the same to my wife

53 More Replies...

@suehines2581

2y↑12

I'm 71 from Louisiana. Love this song.

@sillymamma8937

2y↑328

I love the fact that this song really feels like riding a train. The rhythm is perfect.

@peterhalstead9814

1y↑9

Oh my!!.. what a perfect comment.

@geradpelletier478

1y↑9

I think woody is proud

@cheyanndoyle1688

51w↑6

The trains were a huge part of Americana

@rodaguirre3418

49w↑4

You’re right! 😅

@KYESTV

44w↑3

It brings tears to my eyes.

8 More Replies...

@teeleetreasures5570

30w↑26

One of the best folk songs ever.

@beckyw1984

3y↑391

I'm 60 now but remember an English class in the mid 70's where a very young teacher went over this song line by line. She thought the song was so wll written she didn't want us to miss out on its nuances.

@deeboy5588

3y↑29

That was a very special teacher.

@beckyw1984

3y↑16

@@deeboy5588 she really was. I think of her every time I hear the song.

@mrjwlkr25

3y↑12

In 1974 I had an English teacher who had us study song lyrics. Poetry in Rock and Roll, she called it. I have to love the lyrics to love a song. It's how I became a die hard Stones fan.

@kagnewcobra5228

3y↑12

Becky, my English teacher did the same with " One Tin Soldier " circa 1970. All the best !

@marywillis1630

3y↑12

@@mrjwlkr25 72 or 73 English teacher went line by line through Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young songs. Helplessly hoping her harlequin hovers nearby.....she'd even sing it. Damn.

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@johnoconnor4623

2y↑196

What a song, what a voice, what a story.
Worth listening to all four and a half minutes of this great song.
A classic of America.
Thanks Arlo.

@AbsentWithoutLeaving

2y↑13

Don't forget to thank Steve Goodman. He wrote it, and taught it to Arlo one night at The Quiet Knight in Chicago.
Meanwhile, I was over at Somebody Else's Troubles watching Steve Wade climb on the furniture and declaim his version of Mark Twain's "Change the Name of Arkansas," to which he added banjo music.
We do love our storytellers in Chicago, especially when they add music.

@adamstoler8949

2y↑14

Thank the late great Steve Goodman He wrote it

@janicescott7338

1y↑3

@@AbsentWithoutLeaving YES! Thanks to Steve and thankfully Argo sang it because he was the perfect person to do so. Didn’t Willie Nelson turn it down?

@dugroz

3y↑481

This makes me nostalgic for an era I never experienced.

@garyculver7846

3y↑12

I was Alive Then! 🙂🇨🇱⭐🎭

@garyculver7846

3y↑1

Bazooka Joe, Exactly Sir! 😊

@duncanallen6155

3y↑23

@@praetorianpatriot3267 what the fuck do politics have to do with this amazing song? Take a break bro, lmao

@Ms-ej2vb

3y↑1

Sucks

@Ms-ej2vb

3y↑3

I did 😊

38 More Replies...

@ricklnewman4740

24w↑19

I'm a heavy metal drummer but this is what makes me cry.

@ianrichards677

2y↑125

I live in England and have not experienced the magic of this for real but it gives me a real insight not only into the vastness of the US but also look back in time to the 'good old days' that you all, and Arlo, speak of. A beautiful song.

@dustyblue2ify

41w↑5

I was a young teen, on a Junior Olympic's Girl's Volley Ball team representing New York visiting a Chicago College where it was held back in 80's. We stayed in the College Dorms. Some of my team mates & I invited one night to a College Dorm Party. When this song came on in the room, it was like a moment in silence, everyone stopped talking & we all sang along with this song. :) Such a collective beloved moment. ❤🚋 ❤

@christopherwade8666

40w↑1

your welcome anytime ❤

@gmaallie2938

28w↑2

@ianrichards677. I hope you can come here one day and travel north to south, east to west. It's an amazing country! I have traveled around UK, and appreciate my roots.

@ianrichards677

28w

@@gmaallie2938 that would be great but I don't think it will happen now. Too old so I will just enjoy playing these great songs on my guitar and singing along.

@annalaren

25w

❤️

3 More Replies...

@deanshort9011

2y↑84

I was about 15 when this song came out on the radio back in 1972. The song, the lyrics & melody are so filled with imagery for me. Arlo's voice and musical notes along with the lyrics have a masterful quality I have not really heard in music except maybe in John Prine's music. I'm very grateful that I grew up with such great music. I'm still growing with that music today.

@maryslusarchuk3810

3y↑197

I wish we could travel freely again. Anyone reading this, please say a prayer for this 🌎 world! I hope we can wake up from this bad dream.

@1michelemichele1

3y↑11

Amen, sister.

@paulanoone817

3y↑12

The beauty of America - freedom & travel

@brushstroke3733

3y↑11

Lord we pray for the return of sweet liberty! Lord free us all! Amen!

@eefbhoff

3y↑7

it's coming . Praise the Lord

@sallymullins1328

3y↑4

@@1michelemichele1 bwell out there America

9 More Replies...

@michellekeefe2419

2y↑38

My parents were born and raised in NOLA and this was one of my mom’s favorite songs. Now that they’re gone, this song is so bittersweet.

@woodsboromurder87

2y↑6

2022 Still such a great song. Greetings from Germany ❤️

@blablablatube

2y↑110

Was on the USS NEW Orleans LPH 11 this was played as we would leave port. It has always choked me up. Especially "I'll be gone 500 miles when the day is done'

@catchick7362

2y↑5

Thank you, sir, we salute you while thanking you!

@xaenon

2y↑4

I served on the New Orleans' sister ship, USS Guam, in the 1980s. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, sir. Our skipper favored 'On the Road Again' when leaving port.

@lighthouse3879

2y↑3

Same here my friend.

@jilliann.5728

2y↑1

Thank you and those who served with you for your service, so much gratitude for you all.

@joemartinez820

15w

Ahh, the memories we have my friends!! My grandchildren asked me why I like this song so much and I responded by telling them that song makes me grateful that I had the opportunity to be on a journey of a life time With the crew aboard the New Orleans as a young marine!! Now as Grandpa not as young and strong anymore I'm happy to have been there in my life!!! I have a lot of regrets in my life however being part of the crew on that ship was not one of them!!! Fond memories!!!

@JM-rd1fm

3y↑175

I was 16 when this cover by Arlo first came out...life was so much simpler in July of 1972...

@thomascanfield9165

3y↑7

That was cool how I was just wondering what year this came out and found your comment. We’re the same age. 72’ was sure an amazing year for music. Luckily I saw Arlo in 95’ when he still played a strong show. Just learned he had a couple of mild strokes recently and decided to retire after watching a video of himself performing. He said his guitar playing was not up to his standards. What a great guy - I used to drive thru Stockbridge, MA alot in my youth going skiing, always thinking about him , and a few years ago spent a night there and had breakfast at Alice’s Restaurant !

@antonboludo8886

@@thomascanfield9165 Great anecdote. God Bless.

@sallymullins1328

3y↑2

@@thomascanfield9165 thanks for sharing lovey we love arlo

@kennywilliams520

Wow , his name came up on Facebook.and I Google him. I had all but forgotten about him and his music. Also 72 years old and it really brought back memories.

@juggulous1382

3y↑3

Oh, It was? Yea ig vietnam, watergate, segregation, and the constant threat of nuclear war wasnt all that bad

11 More Replies...

@rodwardle5327

2y↑89

Stunningly beautiful lyrics. God bless Steve Goodman.

@WillieDines1

2y↑37

If anyone has ever tried to capture the story, sound, feel and magic of America, as well as perform this sound I believe it was truly intended, Arlo Guthrie captured it all in this recording and I genuinely believe that nobody else can do this song true justice because this is by far the best version.

@stephaniecolvin1329

23w↑1

What a great comment to this beautiful song. I couldnt say it better than this.

@nobillclinton

5y↑322

I am old. I weep at what we've lost. Youngsters will never know the beauty & elegance of some of the lines and the convenience and utility of others. Trains meant freedom of movement. Liberty to go somewhere else and begin again with $15 in your pocket.

@jessie4420

4y↑4

Here I am!

@SuperDobieGirl

4y↑13

And be able to become successful with that pittance.

@jefframblerman8268

4y↑3

YES.. sad

@Hiei2k7

4y↑8

I rolled in 2018 on the California Zephyr from Emeryville to Galesburg to visit family. It could be better in places, but the scenery is the kind of thing you can't even believe. Man has not touched a lot of that land it passes in a very long time - if ever.

@northmanlogging2769

4y↑9

hopping freighters is still very much a thing, amtrak is fine and all... but when all you have is $15 a 40oz of mickey's and a strong desire to vacate... well

50 More Replies...

@vito9674

24w↑7

The song is one of my favs ! I took that train from Pensacola to New Orleans then to Chicago..I will Never forget watching the sunsets from the back of the train ! What a country ! 😮❤❤

@hopesmith4137

3y↑73

And as Mr.Guthrie retires, may his health improve. You touched many people with your music as your father did before you. Thank you.

@antonboludo8886

Agreed.

@showsomerespect1433

3y↑2

Yes I have an album of Woodie Guthrie's best. Although more country sounding than Arlo, his songs will always be relative to the current times as well as they were to the past. I really liked some of the stories he told, some were sad like "Deported" but let you know how much better we have it now than the "good old days" back then. For those that don't know "Deported" was about the crash of a plane returning illegal immigrants to Mexico.

@judithbrown24

Hobo's Lullaby is one of the best of Mr. Guthrie's album

@trashfoxcosplay

48w↑22

This was my childhood lullaby, growing up in rural Oregon. Nothing feels more like home.

@davidrogers6287

25w

Oregon forever.

@bobwerner3697

4y↑133

I can still imagine riding that train to this day.. when I was 8 yrs old and now at 57.... 😀🙏🏼

@gabsport0Century

3y↑2

F'in sweet as sweet gets

@martinpeterson3712

3y↑2

Always loved this tune. Thanks Arlo for taking that audition years ago.

@joannabarnett5894

3y↑2

Oh me too! This song has always reminded me of my great uncle who was a cotton farmer in Shafter CA. I miss him.

@SylviaViridian

2y↑51

My dad sang this to me as a lullaby. Sometimes I just have to come back and listen to it and remember the pictures that played in my head as a little kid drifting off to sleep.

@joemartinez820

3y↑184

Whenever I hear this song it reminds me of being a young marine abord the USS New Orleans (LPH) 11 in 1976. Every time we left port the captain would put in on the loud speaker and loud for everyone to hear it. Ahh the memories !!!

@thomasewing2656

2y↑11

Thank you for your service! (fellow veteran 1976).

@sheridanclaude2133

2y↑6

Dan Wolfe commented 4 years ago about being on the same boat, the same year as you! He said the same thing about your captain. Cool, huh? Maybe you knew him? His comment is below; his icon is a Fusha circle with a capital D.

@victoriablake669

2y↑4

I so love that! My young son and I while living in CB CO were lucky to meet a young man who was riding the rails, and turned him onto Arlo Guthrie, . . . love that song, know the words!

@lloydyancy3636

2y↑4

SEMPER FI!

@captainmedvar

2y↑1

Wow, what an awesome memory, Never been in the Navy but just envisioning that is awesome. Must be a lot of men out there with memories of that ship and that time of their life. Thank you for your service.🙏🖖

9 More Replies...

@rayvin357

1y↑4

im 84 and still listening Mr Pickle!

@elainehinton4646

7y↑470

I don't think there is a person living in America, who has heard this song and had anything negative to say about it. It's just good ole' fashioned folk music. Good stuff man

@karlphillips4465

5y↑8

Sadly there is at least one. A former friend hated this song. I never quite understood why. Our friendship ended years ago, though not due to his disliking this song.

@Frogger-by1cu

5y↑10

I bet there is a few people outside of America that might like this song as well.

@phodopussungorus

4y↑9

I agree. It is one of the great American songs of our lives.

@daymeeedababy

4y↑1

Ill bet you if i play it for people, they will

@njpammy

4y↑5

I was born in the 80s but love the music of the 60s and 70s. I don't enjoy listening to anything after that time period. This song is one of my faves. Truly a great song.

15 More Replies...

@jonathan_wasilewski

3y↑88

I used to absolutely love this song when I was younger. Now it's my favorite song- It has a minor key, happiness, sadness, and MEMORIES.

I hope everyone who reads this has a good day.

@lifeintheshack2193

2y↑1

Absolutely, usually tear up when I hear it,flood of great family memories most of them have passed away

@jonathan_wasilewski

2y↑1

@@lifeintheshack2193 Great minds think alike! My condolences to you for the people you've lost.

@micsayre

What makes you think this is in a minor key?

@jonathan_wasilewski

2y↑1

@@micsayre Ah! What I meant was that it has some minor 'key' parts; nevertheless, it sounded like it had some to me...

@scottswinney5929

1y↑1

I play it over and over again. Another favorite of mine is The Wreck of The Edmund Fitzgerald by Gordon Lightfoot.

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@lanalou50

2y↑8

Love this song my dad sang railroad songs all the time he’s been gone since 1981 and I’m now in my 70,s love those song of a lost era

@charlietomberg7580

4y↑63

This song was written over 50 years ago, and the City of New Orleans train is still in service. I have taken long distance Amtrak trains many times out of choice. The Coast Starlight from LA to Seattle is my favorite. I like the experience. While the train experience has undoubtedly changed since the middle off the 20th century, it is still a special experience.

@hopek7033

2y↑5

you can still ride the City of New Orleans train, Chicago to NOLA and back

@GetReal77

1y↑4

They actually took the train out of service and brought it back because of this song, Mr. Goodman is well worth a train.

@edjohnson8799

30w

sadly it no longer runs

@charlietomberg7580

30w

@@edjohnson8799 What no longer runs - the video or the train?

@vincetownsend2514

25w

@@hopek7033I did. And every word of the song is true!

@PizzaHorseProductions

2y↑22

My parents used to sing this song. My great-grandpa was an engineer, and my grandpa worked on trains for the post office. Something about it with the family connection, the nostalgia, and the need to travel really strikes a chord with me.

@mikebennet7697

21w

The men who built America. Men. Not whiney brats expecting everything handed to them like todays youth.

@kristimeister5735

48w↑19

My dad was the college advisor to Steve Goodman, close friend of Arlo and writer of this song. One of the first times Steve sung it was in our living room. Affected by leukemia, Steve decided he’d rather make music than stay in school, and actually had that conversation with my dad in the late 60’s. My dad ended up being cited in the Steve Goodman biography that centered around him selling the rights of this song to Arlo, who as we know, made it famous. He, Steve and John Prine were inseparable friends when young adults. I know the other 2 were deeply affected by Steve’s untimely passing in the early 80’s. So glad for these guys.

@timharper4246

20w↑1

What a beautiful memory to have

@jamesmc1016

6y↑788

The last time I rode on a train was on a trip from New York to New Orleans in 1960. I was 5 years old at the time and I became lost from my Mother and my other brothers and sister in a huge train station, as the trains were boarding and were about to pull away. A sailor in uniform found me crying. He picked me up and walked along the platform taking me by each window of each train car until my Mother looked out and saw me. I never felt that feeling of disconnect and loneliness again in my life, until the moment my Mom died 5 years ago. I heard this song when it first became a hit while I was 17 years old and still in high school. I am 62 now and will remember that trip and the man who "found me" as well as the smell of the interior of the 'Pullman' train cars, and riding through the many towns, farms and fields of America, as long as I live.

@rolliecourtney8673

6y↑16

Love this!

@stephenj8576

6y↑13

Worthy of publication.

@michaelrounds9545

6y↑5

i'm a 1955er as well. living the dream James, left NH in early May, skidded south to Fla, bounced up Iowa and hope to hit Oregon by Thanksgiving

@The_Real_HeatherMarie

6y↑10

How terrifying, but what a great story, also!

@suestricker3931

5y↑15

thanks for sharing your story it touch my heart

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@dougmedina4619

3y↑5

I was only ten when this came out. I loved it. Still do. Glad I was around back then to experience the best music!

@tinawatson1690

3y↑12

Take me back to a more innocent time. Grew up in the 60's and 70's. Songs like this are timeless.

@arloguthrie7579

3y↑1

Thank you very much for your lovely words, I really do appreciate it. Tell me what's your favorite album from all of my albums you have listened to so far?

@tinawatson1690

@@arloguthrie7579 Alice's Restaurant

@arloguthrie7579

3y↑1

@@tinawatson1690 sounds so good, it's always a wonderful feeling for me when. I get positive reviews from my fans and admirers of my works, have you been to my concerts before?

@tinawatson1690

52w

@Nelson Douglas sure am. Doesn't matter what genre, if I like it, I listen.

@tinawatson1690

52w

@@arloguthrie7579 no I don't usually attend concerts.

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@paulmadsen6405

2y↑5

l was 14 when l first heard this song, it never gets old.

@jacksonrileyjones

2y↑5

Born in 59 and a teen in the 70s, I well remember this song. Loved it then and LOVE IT now! Takes me back to a simpler time.

@gonfalon

5y↑146

It's a one of a kind masterpiece. Never done before, won't be done again.

@josephmulvihill3864

4y↑1

Sorta like that film that was pure perfection. Screenplay. Cast & crew. Atmosphere. Then they go and produce a sequel and it just doesn't work. This tune knows no equal.

@jamesfishjr4988

4y↑5

I had the honor of growing up in Washington,MA and having Arlo and his family as close family friends, still in contact with a few of his children and grandson, best people I know, friendly, helpful and kind

@danmartin4129

6y↑192

I'm a traveling man ... at 76 ... and I can't sit still .... another sunrise ... still on the move ... so much to see ... and miles and to go ....

@ervincavanaugh1570

4y↑4

A must see! Spread your wings and go overseas and experience a wonderful train ride around Europe. From Italy to France then onto Spain or Germany is such a treat. They have such affordable and cozy setups and you'll meet the nicest peeps! One of the best times of our lives!

@judymulholland8564

4y↑4

me too at 79

@TechnoJon96

4y↑8

"And miles to go before I sleep." — Robert Frost

@Mike-jm5pb

@@judymulholland8564 me too it's 63

@jtroueche1980

4y↑3

My wife and I are hitting the road tomorrow and this is definitely included on the playlist I'm making for the trip

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@ComplicatedCupcake

3y↑30

Brilliant! Woody and Arlo are our beautiful music heritage. Love them

@carymiller2403

2y↑23

I live in Illinois. Used to see Illinois Central trains rolling along. It's now in the past but oh what a wonderful time in America. This is one of the best folk/storytelling songs in history.

@rooky55

When I was a young boy all the paperboys would gather at the station after school to get our papers off the wagon on the train platform and make our deliveries. Trains brought everything back then. Great small town memories.

@carymiller2403

52w

@Nelson Douglas Yep. Good music just as you described

@KeshaIsSaved

2y↑4

Thank you daddy for raising me listening to awesome music ❤️.

@dkbsoulman

1y↑5

Thanks so much for sharing this song. It took me back to my youth when I was 15 years old. This was one of the first songs I learned to play and sing on the guitar. Still one of my favorites. God bless.

@91MNTWINS

6y↑36

My Dad died almost a year ago, music like this helps me remember the good times we had. I will always cherish the memories.

@BlackWidowSpider77

4y↑20

My FAVORITE Arlo Guthrie song, I NEVER get tired of hearing it.

@charlescampbell3895

Neither do I!

@nancyneville8700

This one and willie's version

@jerometaperman7102

4y↑1

Written by the late, great Steve Goodman.

@jasonrex8675

Hello. My friend

@Rantalaiho74

4y↑128

Probably thanks due to this song, Amtrak never did cancel this train as they had planned and it's still running in 2020. Thank you Steve Goodman, Arlo Guthrie an Willie Nelson. Choo f***ing Choo!!

@thereisnosanctuary6184

4y↑9

Heikki Rantalaiho
Proof. That artists can change society.

@davehallett3128

4y↑4

If you re sneezing you should be wearing a mask

@raesmith2164

4y↑4

So they were basically the Victor Hugo of their time. That's really cool

@southilgurl2003

3y↑1

And I just listened to its whistle, having just left the station, heading south.

@debraallen7332

3y↑3

Love to see that this train was still running in 2020. Love this song it does touch your heart.

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@nk8633

4y↑5

Happy birthday Steve Goodman. 7 25. Thank you for writing this amazing song. RIP.

@dawnlowenstein7277

3y↑32

I LOVE THIS SONG! It's really nostalgic!

@chuckbowen5024

2y↑5

My Dad was a signal maintainer on the Great Northern. He worked the Northern Route through Libby, Havre, Whitefish and Summit back in the 40s when the locomotives were still steam. Grandpa was a brakeman and oiler at the yard in Trenton ND.

@GeorgeVreelandHill

9y↑226

Every one of you while listening to this song thought about better times.
No matter if you lived when this song was on the air or if you grew up since.

@inquisitort.torquemada9318

9y↑23

+George Vreeland Hill The railroads were so much a part of America and so many of us old geezers can remember when they were practically the lifeblood of this country. I grew up with the Southern Pacific practically in my backyard and the high school I went to was right next to the Santa Fe depot (now BNSF) in Bakersfield California. There's good times in my memory and my granddad was a conductor for the SPRR for 20 years. He passed away in 1974 but this song always brings him back.

@chanteamoi

8y↑13

+Inquisitor T. Torquemada My grandpa worked for the Santa Fe from the middle 20s to the late 60s. He started as a machinist's helper, then machinist, night roundhouse foreman, head foreman, and ended in middle management over maintenance and repairs. He took me on my first train ride in 1956. I still have the ticket, and train load of memories.

@Congregans

+George Vreeland Hill Did we? I thought of the ghost of an aborted baby taking her first train ride with her friends. Does that count as "better times"?

@martinhyizna3299

8y↑9

+George Vreeland Hill I was just a little kid but still...This country held a level of quality it will unfortunately never experience again. The memories this song instills is the sad proof that we are on an ever-increasing downward slide.

@raoulcarggarglin9323

8y↑2

+Martin Hyizna
But hey, EVERYBODY gets a participation trophy now! YAY!
:-(

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@maggynewtown3500

3y↑15

One of my favourite songs of all time.
The music is exactly how it sounds and feels riding through the night with your babies rocking to the gentle beat.
I've never been on this particular train, but the feeling is the same when doing 500 miles on any train in North America.
"Through the Mississippi darkness,
Rolling down to the sea".
Perfect lyrics.

@arloguthrie7579

Thank you very much for your lovely words, I really do appreciate it. I'm glad I have been able to impress you with my songs for so long. Where are you from?

@bethtindall9208

I just woke up this morning singing this song 🎵, so I YouTube'd the lyrics and found it, and you and these wonderful comments! 🎶
Thank you. What a beautiful day in 🇺🇸!

@LyndellJones-ct2sh

20w

Aaaaa😂 umm
Lp 😊
P

@marycapok4247

3y↑19

One of the best songs ever written!

@jackmukavetz1295

26w↑1

I would ride the train from Salt Lake to Denver, leaving at 3 am and watching the sunrise over Soldier Summit and down into Helper. Breakfast in the dining car. The conductor singing “All Aboard “ in Glenwood Springs. Along the Colorado and over the Rockies. I would always sing this song to myself with tears in my eyes. What a beautiful country America.

@jameshyde1501

2y↑3

I took the “City of New Orleans” out of Chicago and never realized I was on it until I stopped at Jackson Mississippi! That was a while!! back! long ago! Loved it! wonderful! ride..

@nealklein3181

36w↑5

Written by Steve Goodman from Chicago, who wrote many great songs and often performed with John Prine. Steve was a wonderful soul and performer. Arlo changed a couple of words and gave it a memorable arrangement and the song became a classic piece of American folklore that the world can relate to.
Written by Steve in 1970, Arlo Guthrie recorded it in 1972. Steve died of leukemia on September 20, 1984 at age 36. He is worth listening to. Any version of this song is good. It is a testament to good songs...they stand the test of time.

@marcob4630

8y↑159

One of the greatest American songs ever ! This cover by Arlo Guthrie is by far the best

@strawberryseason

8y↑3

+marco brenni I love this song and this version of it! A big hit in 1972.

@marcob4630

8y↑2

+strawberryseason : Indeed !

@kenrink9947

7y↑3

I agree 100% on that Marco

@HardRockMaster7577

7y↑6

Yes, The Definitive Version, imo. Could not be improved on. Musical Genius!

@JerryStanaway

5y↑2

@@HardRockMaster7577 Although I love Arlo's version it seems odd that Steve's original version makes it sound like a real folk song, whereas the son of Woody Guthrie makes it sound like a pop song.

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@judywright6889

1y↑5

We hear the train from our house...not like the "old days"...still, a nostalgic, and somehow reassuring sound. 💞

@vincekloss5802

3y↑7

20 years old, my '69 Road Runner singing down the highway, and this song soothing a hollow, acheing heart ... oh for the times it rolled me on home and rocked to sleep in the late of the night ...Thank you, Arlo Guthrie my salvation in memories and dreams!

@azcrum

3y↑9

I discovered the great folk singer 🧑‍🎤 through this song. It’s a classic 👍 ❤️🎼 song.

@Dave-cv1th

17w↑2

I wish more people knew Arlo's music. This is really the heart of the folk music I grew up with. The best songs tell stories; and this man is the master of that style.

@annettebutler7899

2y↑5

My sister would take me on drives and this song was on her mix tape. I haven't felt that free in a while

@dapizzaman22

10y↑39

I remember being a small child in the seventies when this came out, Jumping up and down on my parents bed listening to it on AM radio...... still love it.

@geraldnedarc1488

10y↑1

I remember listening to this as a teen and then taking my first 'real' girlfriend to see Alice's Restaurant in '69'...In the 'summer of 69'. My favorite Arlo song was 'comin into Los Angeles'.

@arpadzigisfari5819

2y↑9

I saw Arlo in concert a number of years ago. He had me mesmerized with his ability to tell stories.

@rozchristopherson648

What a blessing to have seen him in concert.

@maulporphy4399

4y↑3

My first week as a freshman in high school northern California September 1972. Wandered into the gym after classes looking for a pickup game. This song was playing over the speaker system and a lovely blonde senior was dancing alone to it; watched completely enthralled. Only time I ever saw her, but never have forgotten her.

@opjnyc

3y↑5

Hurricane Ida shook my memory and this song came to mind. It also reminds me of my early days in the Navy traveling across the country. Stay strong New Orleans

@humphreylynne4656

4y↑74

When melody was more interresting than pure noise.

@Galois32

4y↑11

Yes, but the parents of the 70's said exactly the same thing about the music their children were listening to.... Dylan's advice about not criticising what we can't understand applies to us to... Even if the modern direction really does seem strange to us....

Don't get me wrong, a lot of it's clearly shit... But there must be something going on in there

@rickflood8360

4y↑1

humphrey...exactly

@chanaham

4y↑1

I'm 70 for a week now and I was thinking that same thing just now

@mauimudpup

@@Galois32 my grandparents didnt. If it's good it's good. This isnt rolling stones nonsense

@sodoffbaldrick3038

4y↑3

My mom loved this song..I bought her the 45, and I can't tell you how many times we played it ...over and over....

@arloguthrie7579

Wow so wonderful, I'm glad I have been able to impress you and your mom, it gladdens my heart. What's your favorite album from all of my albums you have listened to so far?

@gregmattson2238

6y↑85

i love the feel of this song.. the gentle rhythm, the percussion - just as if you were riding on a sleepy train.

@peterheidgerd5418

5y↑2

AGREE. I carries a certain mood. A mood of America the beautiful. Sad.

@lordemed1

Well said

@rozchristopherson648

So true.

@ugaladh

It just hit me tonight that this song needs to be somewhat long, it NEEDS to take its time to bring you back around to familiar melodies.

@jefframblerman8268

4y↑17

as it has been called.. truly is "the BEST DAMN TRAIN song ever written

@veritas41photo

3y↑22

Written by Steve Goodman and sung by Arlo Guthrie... A <perfect> collaboration... For just one example: What a beautiful matching of a sung phrase and its accompaniment: "...thru the Mississippi darkness rollin' down to the sea"! Perfect throughout! Brings tears to my eyes. Arlo has retired from touring; good on ya, mate.

@academyofshem

Love Goodman's "Tennessee Stud" as well.

@angelamyrmel236

2y↑2

I love how the background vocals sound just like the wind when a Train is passing by.

@RETROTV1394

2y↑10

A great song from my youth. Always a great song to sing to. Memories of the year 1972.

@kenthudson7394

2y↑3

Arlo Guthrie, Neil Young, Glen Campbell, Roy Orbison etc . will always remind me of the music my dad used to play on road trips from our home in Seattle to visit family in North Dakota. Classic Americana road music.

@BirtieD

8y↑747

My Dad was railroad man with the Santa Fe all his life and I have ridden a many a mile on the train. Willie Nelson did this song pretty well but Arlo Guthrie's version is still the best. Every time I hear this song I think of my Dad who passed away in Dec 1982. There is a tremendous sadness when I hear this song and acknowledge that my Dad and the passenger trains that I knew in my youth are no longer with us. However there is also a closeness that I can almost touch. Rest in Peace Dad.

@anthonycerniglia6708

7y↑4

James Gattis

@BirtieD

7y↑8

Thanks for your prayers. I know they are heard.

@donniebeard3755

7y↑14

my grandad was an engineer for the Louisville Nashville railroad for 46 yrs. back in the sixty's.

@25FIREBALL

7y↑6

Forest Park in St.Louis had a rail line that ran through the NE section (metro link now) I lived on West Pine bout a quarter mile from a foot bridge (may still be there)In the early 50s a train would pass under that foot bridge ~~its name--well,i do belive it was the WABASH CANNON BALL OR THE BLUEBIRD -~~ @70 my memory aint great-

@markhill1214

7y↑4

Beautifully said

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@lionelzamora4536

34w↑2

Past paper bag that holds the bottle🎉🎉🎉 been sober now for 33 years. I’ll be 65 next month. Best decision I’ve ever made just sayin good day my friends good day and I love this song. I was there in 1969.

@u.ventris8609

4y↑6

One of my favorite songs of my childhood. In my english lesson we had to translate the song.
Now, more than 30 years later and i still like this song. It reminds me on the good old time. Some Songs are timeless. And this is one of them.

@arianedesrochers7972

5y↑5

My cousin died at the age of 7, and he loved this song so much... This song will always be in my mind for ever. Rest in peace little angel🙏❤

@anderson088

2y↑6

I still remember my grandfather singing along to this song on the radio while on a fishing trip together👍

@martaacosta4415

33w↑1

I love this song! I loved it when I was a very young mom in the 70s and I love it now that I’m 70.
My dad’s dad was a railroad man, and even though we left our native country, and my dad never saw his dad again after 1956, he always loved trains. But he knew the train’s day as the best long distance transportation was over, and it made him a little melancholy. (He was not by nature a melancholy man.)
Now my husband and I want to make a trip from where we live in the Rockies to Chicago to visit relatives, and on to Miami to visit other relatives, and back again, and we plan to go by train. When I hear “The City of New Orleans” these days, I have so many different emotions! I’m reminded of my dad who passed away in 2002, I look forward to our trip coming up in about 4 months, and I’m saddened trains aren’t respected as they used to be, and not as popular as cars and planes. But it sure is nice that at least trains are still around and that they cross cross this great land at a decent cost, which we old-timers can afford.

@marshalmichael129

6y↑17

The best years of my life were in the Sixties when I road the City of New Orleans from Jackson,MS to Chicago. Real plates and real silverware and glasses. Meeting folks in the club car, sneaking a smoke when my mom wasn't watching...the stuff of a great childhood. I've continued to ride trains all over this country, although it's not the same now. That's a shame...

@frankholt4325

2y↑3

I was brought home on the last steam train from California to Texas in 1957 when I was only three weeks old. It was my grandfather's last time he rode a train.

@ralphhammond5950

31w↑3

The pinnacle of folk and country. What an amazing version of this song! The musicianship is perfect.

@MultiKINGWAYNE

52w↑3

( Arlo Guthrie) was one of the great ones, this is one of the greatest songs that I have ever listened to, Arlo was a man of deep vision.

@johnwheater3718

4y↑4

I miss riding the train, my father was a conducted on Unoion Pacific. He played this song one night, with a steel chin, he looked at me and said "Hey you ready to take over". He would let me check tickets while I wore his hat. Thank you Pop for your love and sharing, we miss you.

@larrydean4250

5y↑5

I think of lots of things when I hear this. One of the greatest images is of my roommate and I sitting in a bar in the French Quarter hearing this and watching one of the most beautiful women I ever saw singing along behind the bar. After a tour in Vietnam it was simply heaven to me.

@mcasenl

8y↑535

This song has some fond memories and a special meaning for me. I remember vividly riding on The City of New Orleans at age eight with my parents between New Orleans and Jackson, MS to visit relatives. As a teen and young adult, I traveled between those cities dozens of times and can still visualize the small towns, countryside and bayous that passed by the train windows. In later years, I rode the overnight train from New Orleans to Chicago and back many, many times. Some of my most enjoyable and fun traveling experiences were on those trips, drinking beer or wine, playing cards, and sharing stories with the people I met on the way. This song takes me back, and reminds me of a time when tavel was an adventure and so much fun. I will always be thankful to Arlo for this song. It always brings a smile to my face and a tear in my eye.

@Treebard

8y↑9

I love Arlo's singing too, but Steve Goodman wrote the song. Just fyi. Thanks for sharing your memories... I wish I'd ridden it, too!

@CuyahogaWing

8y↑11

I didn't have the opportunity to ride that train, but did take a train across country back in the late 70's. Going through the southwestern states, I was in the club car with some newly met friends and one of the conductors brought out a guitar and began playing this song. We all joined in singing it.. it's one of those really good forever memories... thanks, Arlo!

@PerthTowne

8y↑6

That's really cool. Nice memory.

@mr.warmth1511

8y↑2

don't forget allusions restaurant but its way to long to play

@mr.warmth1511

8y↑2

alciens resterant

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@thomasbreneiser1605

1y↑6

I don't think at the time anyone could have captured a more iconic time and feel of railroad history.Both true and meloncholy.Timeless...

@michaelknapp8961

3y↑5

I met Arlo Guthrie back in 1998 or 99? He and his band did a concert at Landmark College in Vermont where I was going to school. What a nice guy!! Very very approachable and friendly. We helped them set up cords and microphones and stuff like that. Great guy!!

@patriciaarancibia8012

3y↑1

I am listening this Master Piece at home with rainy day in quarantine..🎵🎶🎹😍😍😍🌻🌻🌻✌✌✌🎹🎶🎵

@arloguthrie7579

Thank you very much for your lovely words, I really do appreciate it. Tell me from all of my albums you have listened to so far, which is your favorite?

@californiadreaming9216

52w↑16

Arguably the Greatest folk song ever. Another railroad song absolutely worth listening to is the Canadian railroad trilogy by the Immortal Gordon Lightfoot

@l.russellbrown9732

40w

Because it is the truth.
A story about the final ride of a great train.
The description of what is seen from the train from its first movement to its final destination
Is like a trip thru life itself.
Arlo transports the listener to the railroad line
Like a great movie takes us away***
Songwriter L.Russell Brown

@peterlynch7384

5y↑6

This song was a big hit, even when it first come out, most of the trains are gone but Arlo's song is still chugging away, somewhere !!

@charlesroberts3650

6y↑132

God bless you Arlo, you are a chip off the old block, you honor your father, Woody and you honor our beautiful country, America. God bless you beautiful people that have commented and related your particular stories, I feel kinship with you. My Mexican grandfather, who was a RR engineer, volunteered to come to Chicago during WWII to help America in the war effort. He always spoke well of his fellow American RR workers, they too had a kinship. God bless America.

@oliveisbonkers

4y↑9

This was my grandpa favorite song he died 2018 I miss him dearly but I think of him every time I hear this

@thereisnosanctuary6184

4y↑2

CallMehOlive
God bless grampa

@arlowelch5608

2y↑5

I’m just thankful my dad really, really liked Arlo Guthrie. Happily carrying on the tradition

@kennethhuang371

1y↑5

Arlo Guthrie may be well known for Alice’s Restaurant played on Thanksgiving, but I remembered his most famous trip aboard a train called CITY OF NEW ORLEANS, a #1 hit from 1969.
I’d better keep Alice and New Orleans on the liked videos list because Thanksgiving and Arlo go great together each year.
Kenneth A Huang 11/24/22.