Born in 1970 and raised in Kitchener, Ontario , he began his professional career playing with the Rhinos before beginning a solo career. In the late 1990s, he moved to Ottawa, where he developed a loyal following with a weekly show at the Manx Pub on Elgin St. In his live shows, he often uses looped live samples of his guitar and other instruments to create a richly layered solo performance. While at the Manx he often entertained with cover versions of songs by some of his favourite artists, including David Bowie, Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, and the Rheostatics. At the same time, he began to amass an extensive repertoire of original tunes, and briefly joined local power-pop band Starling.
As a songwriter, he has released six albums, including an album devoted to covers David Bowie songs. His albums have often been recorded in a home-studio with him performing most, if not all, instruments. He is a talented guitarist who is universally lauded for his lyrics, having been compared to Elvis Costello and received accolades from renowned Canadian author Timothy Findley.
In 2004, Danny was nominated for Best New Artist at the Juno Awards following the release of his album "Tales from the Invisible Man" the previous year. The award went to Michael Bublé.
Midnight Train
Danny Michel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
the temperature in town
i never felt that way
the day you said you would be mine
but after years of
it's been tugging at our flame
is there something i don't know?
because you don't look at me the same
so i'm leaving on a midnight train
i'm leaving on a midnight train
if you don't call my name
i'm leaving on a midnight train
a razor and a blade
i got my toothbrush and my comb
i made my great escape
and now i'm all alone
so i'm leaving on a midnight train
i'm leaving on a midnight train
if you don't call my name
i'm leaving on a midnight train
i'm standind at the gate
i got my ticket in my hand
i'm praying you're just late
i still don't understand
i sank into my seat
it was so
we slowly pulled away
and no one called my name
so i left on a midnight train
i left on a midnight train
no one called my name
so i left on a midnight train
then i heard a voice
is this seat right here free?
mmm, she said you get no choice
and now she's curled up here with me
she bought a ticket for a midnight train
she left on a midnight train
she called out my name
we left on a midnight train
a midnight train (fade out)
The lyrics of Danny Michel's "Midnight Train" describe a person who is leaving a relationship that has lost its spark. The song starts with the memory of the day the couple first got together and the excitement that they shared. But as time went on, things changed, and the singer questions whether there is something they don't know as their partner doesn't look at them the same way anymore. Frustrated and feeling unloved, the singer decides to leave and board a midnight train, hoping that their partner will follow and call out their name. However, as they sit in silence waiting for their partner to come, they realize that no one is coming, and they are left alone. The song ends on a bittersweet note as the singer meets someone else on the train who shares their fate and ends up curled up with them.
The lyrics of "Midnight Train" are simplistic but poignant, and they tell a relatable story of love, loss, and moving on. The train symbolizes the singer's escape from a stagnant relationship and the possibility of a new beginning. The singer's thoughts and emotions are crystal clear in the lyrics, and the song's melody perfectly complements the song's narrative. In short, "Midnight Train" is a beautifully written song that encapsulates the pain and uncertainty of ending a love affair.
Line by Line Meaning
i recall the day
Danny is reminiscing about the day he and his love interest got together
the temperature in town
He remembers the weather that day
i never felt that way
Danny felt a strong attraction to this person
the day you said you would be mine
This person committed to a relationship with Danny
but after years of
After being together for years
it's been tugging at our flame
Their relationship has been strained
is there something i don't know?
Danny is questioning what has gone wrong
because you don't look at me the same
Danny has noticed a change in how his love interest views him
so i'm leaving on a midnight train
Danny decides to leave without saying goodbye
if you don't call my name
He wants his love interest to stop him from leaving
a razor and a blade
Danny has packed very lightly for his departure
i got my toothbrush and my comb
He has only packed essentials for personal hygiene
i made my great escape
Danny feels like he needs to flee the situation
and now i'm all alone
Danny has left everything behind and is now on his own
i'm standing at the gate
Danny has reached the train station
i got my ticket in my hand
Danny has already purchased his ticket
i'm praying you're just late
He still has some hope that his love interest may show up before he departs
i still don't understand
Danny is still grappling with the reasons behind their relationship falling apart
i sank into my seat
Danny has taken a seat on the train
it was so
The atmosphere on the train is tense and uncomfortable
we slowly pulled away
The train begins to depart
and no one called my name
Danny's love interest did not attempt to stop him from leaving
then i heard a voice
Danny hears someone speak to him on the train
is this seat right here free?
A woman asks Danny if the seat next to him is taken
mmm, she said you get no choice
The woman informs Danny that she is taking the seat regardless if he approves or not
and now she's curled up here with me
Danny has found comfort in the company of this woman and they are sitting together on the train
she bought a ticket for a midnight train
The woman also made a hasty decision to take a midnight train
she left on a midnight train
The woman and Danny both departed on the same train
she called out my name
The woman reached out to Danny and caught his attention
we left on a midnight train
Danny and the woman are embarking on a new journey together
a midnight train (fade out)
The song ends with the repetition of the title, symbolizing the beginning of a new chapter for Danny and this woman
Contributed by Colin N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
moonrakercat
This songs a real sleeper - needs more radioplay to make it - Danny - one of your best !!!
Pip Mitchell
Great song!
uner90
love this song~
Austin Rowat
I heard on the radio that after looking back on this song, Danny Michel actually totally regrets making it and regrets writing it. Its strange because I consider it one of his best
tprdfh51
A great song - don't know why Danny Michel doesn't like this one???
Bill Cypher
Took 10+ years to find this song.
myles0fsmiles
this song is cool funk! DVD version is my fav ;)
Mad Cinder
Was trying to find this song for years, but didn't know who it was so every time I searched 'Midnight Train' I just got Don't Stop Believin' by Journey.
Hatsune Miku
same, but i kept getting misnight train to georgia XD
Mad Cinder
At least that has 'Midnight Train' in the title. Don't Stop Believin' doesn't, but everyone seems to think that's what it's called.