The Supremes were a hugely successful Motown all-female singing group active from 1959 until 1977, performing at various times doo-wop, pop, soul, Broadway showtunes, psychedelia and disco. Second only to The Beatles in terms of records sales and chart success, The Supremes were the most successful American musical act of the 1960s, delivering twelve #1 hits between 1964 and 1969, many of them written and produced by Motown's main songwriting and production team, Holland-Dozier-Holland.
Founded in Detroit, Michigan in 1959, The Supremes began as a quartet called The Primettes. Founding members Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson, Diana Ross, and Betty McGlown, all from the Brewster-Douglas public housing project in Detroit, were the sister act to The Primes (later The Temptations). In 1960, Barbara Martin replaced McGlown, and the group signed with Motown in 1961 as The Supremes.
Martin left at the end of 1961, and Ross, Ballard, and Wilson carried on as a trio. After they achieved success in 1964 with Ross as the lead singer, Motown president Berry Gordy renamed the group Diana Ross and the Supremes in 1967. Ballard left the group that same year because of personal differences and was replaced by Cindy Birdsong.
Diana Ross left the group for a history-making solo career in 1970 and was replaced by Jean Terrell. After 1972, the lineup of The Supremes changed frequently, with Lynda Laurence, Scherrie Payne, and Susaye Greene all becoming members before the group ended its eighteen-year existence in 1977.
How Long Has That Evening Train Been Gone
Diana Ross and the Supremes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How long has that evening train been gone (whoa whoa)
I wanna know
How long has that evening train been gone (whoa whoa)
I have a babe that was standing at the station
Waiting for a train
I ran to the door with my heart in my hand (heart in my hand)
I've gotta catch him if I can
Is that express, Mr. Station-Man?
I woke up this morning with a smile on my face
Feeling that the world, the world was a beautiful place
[Chorus]
On a scrap of paper
Was the train-arriving information
His room was empty and his closet's bare (closet's bare)
And not a single shirt was hanging there (hanging there)
How could the guy just up and leave me?
What did I do that was so displeasing?
Only yesterday, he held me tight
He told me everything, everything's gonna be alright
Oh, he said he loved me and he cried
Oh yeah, he said he loved me and he cried
Oh yes, he did now
There must be an explanation
Come on and move out the station
Can't ya see that he's taking my world
And making me a sad, sad girl?
That's why I can't let go
That's why I gotta know
[Chorus]
The song "How Long Has That Evening Train Been Gone" by Diana Ross and the Supremes is a poignant tale about a woman who goes to the train station to meet her love but finds out that he has already left without a word. The lyrics describe the heartache and confusion that the singer is feeling as she tries to make sense of what happened. The song starts with an upbeat and catchy chorus that sets the tone for the rest of the song. The chorus highlights the love interest's absence and the singer's desire to know how long he's been gone.
The verse then goes on to describe the scene at the station where the singer was left waiting for her love. She describes how she ran to the door with her heart in her hand, ready to embrace him, but found no one waiting for her. She then sees him leave in the train and is determined to catch up with him. The singer wakes up the next morning with disappointment and sadness at the reality of the situation.
In the third verse, the singer finds a scrap of paper with train-arriving information, which only confirms that her love has left her. She is left confused and hurt, questioning what she may have done wrong. The final chorus is a pleading message to the station master to explain why her love left her so suddenly, and she is determined to get her lover back.
Line by Line Meaning
How long has that evening train been gone (whoa whoa)
Wondering how much time has passed since the train left
I wanna know
Expressing a desire to know
How long has that evening train been gone (whoa whoa)
Wondering how much time has passed since the train left
I have a babe that was standing at the station
Referring to a loved one waiting at the train station
Waiting for a train
Waiting for the train to arrive
I ran to the door with my heart in my hand (heart in my hand)
Expressing emotional distress and urgency
And all my future plans (future plans)
Referring to plans that were dependent on the loved one's return
I've gotta catch him if I can
Desire to stop the train and reunite with the loved one
Is that express, Mr. Station-Man?
Asking the train station employee about the train's speed and potential for catching up
I woke up this morning with a smile on my face
Mood shift implying a good day previously
Feeling that the world, the world was a beautiful place
Enjoying the feeling of love and happiness
On a scrap of paper
Referring to a note left behind
Was the train-arriving information
Providing clarity on the timings of the train's arrival
His room was empty and his closet's bare (closet's bare)
Noticing that the loved one has left
And not a single shirt was hanging there (hanging there)
Pointing out an unusual absence of the loved one's belongings
How could the guy just up and leave me?
Expressing disbelief and confusion
What did I do that was so displeasing?
Wondering what led the loved one to leave
Only yesterday, he held me tight
Recalling recent warm moments with the loved one
He told me everything, everything's gonna be alright
Recalling the loved one's comforting words
Oh, he said he loved me and he cried
Recalling the loved one's emotional expression of love
Oh yeah, he said he loved me and he cried
Recalling the loved one's emotional expression of love
Oh yes, he did now
Reinforcing the prior statement
There must be an explanation
Refusing to accept that there is no explanation for the loved one's departure
Come on and move out the station
Urging the train station to hurry up and depart
Can't ya see that he's taking my world
Describing the loved one as central to their world
And making me a sad, sad girl?
Feeling incomplete without the loved one's presence
That's why I can't let go
Unable to give up hope and accept the loved one's departure
That's why I gotta know
Determined to find out what happened to the loved one
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: FRANK EDWARD WILSON, PAMELA JOAN SAWYER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@toddbrittain800
The greatest bassline in 1960s pop music.
@bluenile048
Jamerson is just so BRILLIANT on this song. His intro came in like a ghost and then just sat down and took over this song.
@nuancemusic
Yes - and what blows my mind is his creativity. It's easy for us to enjoy and recreate but he's playing a style that had not been heard before. #GOAT
@rickallen4138
I agree mr jamerson"s genius! with the hook
@jamespickett2687
*,¶
@jamespickett2687
Dg
@jamespickett2687
@nuancemusic x
@Derwent03
Fabulous track from a fabulous album. I've been listening to this for 30 years and not tired of it yet!
@barrywilliams2409
Another James Jamerson masterpiece ! Greatest bassist
to ever live ! RIP
@naeemrashada1009
Straight 💯