Train In Vain
Dwight Yoakam Lyrics
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Tell me something I don't understand
You said you love me and that's a fact
And then you left me, said you felt trapped
Well some things you can explain away
But the heartache's in me 'til this day
No, not at all
You didn't stand by me
No way
All the times
When we were close
I'll remember these things the most
I see all my dreams come tumbling down
I can't be happy without you around
So alone I keep the wolves at bay
And there's only one thing I can say
You didn't stand by me
No, not at all
You didn't stand by me
No way
You must explain why this must be
Did you lie when you spoke to me?
Did you stand by me?
No, not at all
Now I got a job
But it don't pay
I need new clothes
I need somewhere to stay
But without all of these things I can do
But without your love I won't make it through
But you don't understand my point of view
I suppose there's nothing I can do
You didn't stand by me
No, not at all
You didn't stand by me
No way
You didn't stand by me
No, not at all
You didn't stand by me
No way
You must explain why this must be
Did you lie when you spoke to me?
Did you stand by me
Did you stand by me?
No, not at all
Did you stand by me?
No way
Did you stand by me?
No, not at all
Did you stand by me?
No way
The lyrics of "Train In Vain" by Dwight Yoakam are a sad reflection of love lost and the feelings of betrayal and abandonment that come with it. The song starts with the singer questioning the loyalty of their partner, who they claim said they loved them but then left them feeling trapped. Although the partner claims to have stood by them, the singer insists that they didn't stand by them at all.
The remainder of the song paints a picture of a desperate situation of the singer, who is struggling to make ends meet and feeling the effects of the breakup. They miss their partner and can't be happy without them around. The lyrics are particularly emotive when the singer sings about seeing all their dreams come tumbling down and being unable to keep the wolves at bay without their partner's support. The singer is questioning why their partner would leave them, asking if they lied when they spoke to them, and wondering if they ever really stood by them.
Overall, the song reflects a feeling of being let down by someone who was supposed to be there through thick and thin. It's a heartfelt song that many people can relate to, and Dwight Yoakam's deep voice and emotive delivery add to the powerful emotions conveyed in the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
You say you stand by your man
You claim to support your partner
Tell me something I don't understand
Please explain why you left me
You said you love me and that's a fact
You once professed your love for me
And then you left me, said you felt trapped
But then you ended the relationship because you felt stuck
Well some things you can explain away
Some things have explanations that can be understood
But the heartache's in me 'til this day
But my pain still lingers
You didn't stand by me
You did not support me
No, not at all
Not even a little bit
All the times
Every moment
When we were close
When we were in love
I'll remember these things the most
I'll cherish these memories the most
I see all my dreams come tumbling down
All my hopes and aspirations have been shattered
I can't be happy without you around
I cannot be content without your presence
So alone I keep the wolves at bay
I am struggling alone to keep negative influences away
And there's only one thing I can say
My conclusion is simple
You must explain why this must be
You need to clarify why it had to end like this
Did you lie when you spoke to me?
Were your words untrue?
Now I got a job
I have employment
But it don't pay
But it doesn't provide much income
I need new clothes
I require new attire
I need somewhere to stay
I need a place to call home
But without all of these things I can do
But even if I obtain all these possessions
But without your love I won't make it through
I will still struggle without your affection
But you don't understand my point of view
But you do not comprehend my perspective
I suppose there's nothing I can do
Perhaps there is no solution
Did you stand by me?
Did you support me?
No, not at all
Absolutely not
No way
Under no circumstances
Did you stand by me?
Did you support me?
No, not at all
Absolutely not
Did you stand by me?
Did you support me?
No way
Under no circumstances
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, Topper Headon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
M.O'Riley
Dwight countrified Train in Vain and it totally works.
Blowcephus
actually folks, you both got it kinda backwards. this song was my first encounter with The Clash as a sheltered, suburban kid in the ❤️O’Dix. until Kasey Kasem broke in at #40 in ATF circa 1980 (it dropped right back out the next week and they’d not be heard from again until SISOSIG). It was an intriguing, quirky, funky little ditty. It was a new wavy breath of fresh air that gave a first timer no hint of their more aggressive and much more political punk stuff. It would be a full two years before I’d purchase the Radio Clash 12” and Sandinista. Another year after that for LC and 1st LP and EP. Now perhaps you are more perceptive and can look past the mid tempo groove, thats near enough to being dance floor ready, but despite the repeated mantra about “did you lie when you spoke to me? Did you stand by me, no not all” Its easy enough to assume a universal “you” given the often political nature of Clash lyrics. Until I hear Dwight Yoakam’s version some 15 yrs later that both he and all of us hearing it that Mick Jones had secretly tried to slip a very personal straight country song smack into the middle of an uptempo, double LP call to arms! DY saw right through the to its roots. Just look at its usage of the phrase “did you STAND BY ME?” Dude, thats straight out of Tammy Wynette’s top ten all time country smash! The association is entirely intentional. The lyrics are actually much more personal than the typical Clash song… much more typical of country/folk songs. Throw in the sly harmonica riff as another hint. The truth is the uptempo, funky syncopation of the Clash version, which made it ripe for the pop charts, are totally at odds with the actual subjective roots of the songs lyrics. Dwight, who shared the stage with many early punk acts in LA like X, The Cramps, Blasters, Social D, Circle Jerks etc certainly loved The Clash but saw right through Mick’s dressed up funk pop to the simple country song underneath. His is a cover tha only served to show the world what great songwriting lay underneath the biggest hit from an anthemic double LP.
Remington Riders
@OriginalJramion That's how I feel about Chris Stapleton's Tennessee Whiskey. Except for the lyrics, it's a whole different song than the George Jones/David Allan Coe song.
OriginalJramion
No. This version does not resemble the original in anyway besides the lyrics. It is a completely different song, not countrified. About the only thing I like about this song was the zydeco-esque sound.
Dinlo 1966
A life long clash fan, I love it!!
Louise Rawle
Everything this superstar does works.Dwight you are GOLD..love him
mrmojorisin2
Love it! RIP Joe Stummer.
CynicFox
They played this song while I was at Chipotle and I knew it was a country cover of The Clash. Music is wild sometimes
Remington Riders
Dwight taking a Clash song and making it into a country song is awesome. I'm a Dwight fan and I love this song.
Google is my stalker
Wow he recorded this 5 years ago I didn't even know about it it's a great cover you did a good job of tearing the song apart and rebuilding it into a snappy little bluegrass number good job I like it. As much as like the clash version