Bad Luck
Black Stone Cherry Lyrics


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Big train rolling down the line
Makes me lonely
Sometimes I wish to ride away
Sometimes I want to ride away

Big plane flying through the clouds
Makes me worry
Sometimes I wish to fly away
Sometimes I want to fly away

But you can't judge a book, looking at the cover
You can't love someone, messing with another, no
You can't win a war, fighting with your brother
You wanna have peace, gotta love one another

Big guns lighting up the sky
Makes me worry
Sometimes I wish to run away
Sometimes I want to run away

But you can't judge a book, looking at the cover
You can't love someone, messing with another, no
You can't win a war, fighting with your brother
You wanna have peace, gotta love one another

I have seen my brothers
In ashes on the ground
And maybe in a new life
We can turn this thing around

But you can't judge a book, looking at the cover
You can't love someone, messing with another, no
You can't win a war, fighting with your brother
You wanna have peace, gotta love one another

No you can't judge a book
Gotta love one another




Can't judge a book
No you can't judge a book

Overall Meaning

"Lonely Train" by Black Stone Cherry is a soulful song about feeling isolated and wanting to escape from the troubles of the world. The song's lyrics suggest that the singer is watching big machines like trains, planes, and guns in action and feels a sense of unease that makes them want to run away. However, the song's central message is about the importance of unity and love. The singer suggests that while the world may seem tumultuous and full of war, the only way to achieve peace is through love and compassion for one another.


The song's refrain, "You can't judge a book, looking at the cover / You can't love someone, messing with another, no / You can't win a war, fighting with your brother / You wanna have peace, gotta love one another," communicates that we should not rush to judgment or take sides in conflicts. The singer suggests that we need to rebuild our relationships with one another and work towards a better future. The haunting melody and poignant lyrics of "Lonely Train" create a reflective and contemplative atmosphere that leaves listeners with a sense of hope for a better world.


Line by Line Meaning

Big train rolling down the line
The train is an analogy for the inevitable march of time that can sometimes make a person feel isolated and alone.


Makes me lonely
The singer feels isolated and lonely when he sees the train roll down the tracks.


Sometimes I wish to ride away
In moments of despair, the singer wishes to escape the monotony of life, but he can't always act on his desires.


Sometimes I want to ride away
The artist occasionally feels a sense of longing to escape the mundanity of his current existence.


Big plane flying through the clouds
The plane represents the fast-paced, unrelenting nature of modern society, which can sometimes cause anxiety and stress.


Makes me worry
The singer feels overwhelmed and worried when he sees a plane because it reminds him of the pace of modern life.


Sometimes I wish to fly away
The singer wishes to escape the stresses of modern life and find peace and solitude.


Sometimes I want to fly away
The artist occasionally feels a sense of longing to find solitude and peace by leaving behind his present life.


But you can't judge a book, looking at the cover
The artist cautions against making snap judgments based on appearance or surface-level observations.


You can't love someone, messing with another, no
True love requires fidelity and respect for others, and it is impossible to truly love someone while betraying a significant other.


You can't win a war, fighting with your brother
Wars between nations often tear apart families and communities, making it impossible to win a war without destroying loyalties and relationships.


You wanna have peace, gotta love one another
The only way to achieve lasting peace is through mutual love, compassion, and understanding.


Big guns lighting up the sky
The singer is referring to explosions and gunfire that symbolizes war and violence and its ability to cause distress.


Makes me worry
The singer feels anxious when he hears or sees instances of violence, conflict, and chaos.


Sometimes I wish to run away
The singer wishes to escape the horrors of war and the violence of society.


Sometimes I want to run away
The artist occasionally feels a sense of longing to escape the conflicts, chaos, and general volatility of the world.


I have seen my brothers in ashes on the ground
The artist has witnessed the horrors of war and witnessed its ability to destroy life and communities.


And maybe in a new life, we can turn this thing around
The singer acknowledges the possibility of building a new, better future despite the trauma and destruction caused by past conflicts.


No you can't judge a book
The singer reiterates the importance of not making snap judgments based on surface-level observations or assuming one knows someone without truly getting to know them.


Gotta love one another
The repeated phrase reminds listeners that the only way to build a better world is through mutual love, respect, and unity.


Can't judge a book
The final line reminds listeners that the importance of not making assumptions about others and valuing every individual's unique worth and perspective.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BENJAMIN DANIEL WELLS, CHRIS ROBERTSON, JOHN FREDERICK YOUNG, JON LAWHON, RICHARD OREN YOUNG

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Gordon Croskery

.Walking barefoot down highway 61
Wolf is howling got me on the run
Muddy waters ringing in my ears
Feels like I ain't been home in years

Bad luck and hard love are tattooed on my spine
Black clouds and holy smoke fuel the train that I drive
Its my life and its one hell of a ride!

Thirteen miles from the Mississippi coast
I made some friends but they all were ghosts
I've been so lonesome you know that I could cry
I'm still haunted by Betty Paige's eyes

Bad luck and hard love are tattooed on my spine
Black clouds and holy smoke fuel the train that I drive
Its my life and its one hell of a ride!

Bad luck and hard love are tattooed on my spine
Black clouds and holy smoke fuel the train that I drive
Bad luck and hard love the story of my life
Black clouds and holy smoke keeping me alive
Its my life and its one hell of a ride!



All comments from YouTube:

Rob Houbeck

Man, Chris has some powerful vocals on this track.  Standout track and my favorite on this album.

J of all Trades

One of the best voices i've ever heard, keep rocking guys!

Gill A

AMAZING album
so enjoy listening to you guys! keep making me happy! :D

SouthernDemocrat

Southern rock and a bluesy sound along with just amazing vocals

Steven Lawson jr

These guys are the first mainstream southern rock band to come out in a long while and I've never heard a song from them I didn't like.

DARKROOM81

Todas sus canciones tienen un nivel altísimo

MrOSUrocker

my lord this song is the definition of Southern Rock, this is why I love you guys!

Elke Pluntke

wow great job....great album...love it...

Tullock

Love this song.

Gordon Croskery

.Walking barefoot down highway 61
Wolf is howling got me on the run
Muddy waters ringing in my ears
Feels like I ain't been home in years

Bad luck and hard love are tattooed on my spine
Black clouds and holy smoke fuel the train that I drive
Its my life and its one hell of a ride!

Thirteen miles from the Mississippi coast
I made some friends but they all were ghosts
I've been so lonesome you know that I could cry
I'm still haunted by Betty Paige's eyes

Bad luck and hard love are tattooed on my spine
Black clouds and holy smoke fuel the train that I drive
Its my life and its one hell of a ride!

Bad luck and hard love are tattooed on my spine
Black clouds and holy smoke fuel the train that I drive
Bad luck and hard love the story of my life
Black clouds and holy smoke keeping me alive
Its my life and its one hell of a ride!

More Comments