Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, Cramer grew up in the small town of Huttig, Arkansas, teaching himself to play the piano. After finishing high school, he returned to Shreveport, where he worked as a pianist for the Louisiana Hayride radio show.
In 1952, he made his way to Nashville at a time when the use of piano accompanists in country music was growing in popularity. Before long, Cramer would become one of the busiest studio musicians in the industry, playing piano for stars such as Elvis Presley, Brenda Lee, Patsy Cline, The Browns, Jim Reeves, Roy Orbison, Don Gibson and the Everly Brothers, and many others. It is Cramer's piano that is heard, for example, on Presley's first national hit, "Heartbreak Hotel."
However, Cramer remained a virtual unknown to anyone but music industry insiders until he recorded a 45 rpm single in 1960 called "Last Date." An instrumental, the music exhibited a relatively new concept for piano playing known as the "slip note" style. The record went to Number two on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music chart. By the mid-1960s, Cramer had become a respected performer, making numerous record albums and touring with guitar maestro Chet Atkins and saxophonist Boots Randolph.
Floyd Cramer died of lung cancer in 1997 at the age of 64 and was interred in the Spring Hill Cemetery in the Nashville suburb of Madison, Tennessee.
In 2003, he was inducted into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee offers the "Floyd Cramer Competitive Scholarship."
Chattanooga Choo Choo
Floyd Cramer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Track twenty nine, boy you can gimme a shine
I can afford to board a Chattanooga Choo Choo
I've got my fare and just a trifle to spare
You leave the Pennsylvania station 'bout a quarter to four
Read a magazine and then you're in Baltimore
Dinner in the diner, nothing could be finer
When you hear the whistle blowin' eight to the bar
Then you know that Tennessee is not very far
Shovel all the coal in, gotta keep it rollin'
Woo, woo, Chattanooga, there you are
There's gonna be a certain party at the station
Satin and lace, I used to call funny face
She's gonna cry until I tell her that I'll never roam
The song "Chattanooga Choo Choo" is a swinging big-band tune that tells the story of someone traveling on the titular train. The lyrics begin with the singer asking a porter if he's on the right train and confirming that it is indeed the Chattanooga Choo Choo. The singer then expresses his ability to afford the fare and shine his shoes, indicating his status as not only a traveler but a working-class one at that.
The second verse describes the experience of the train ride, taking readers through the different stations and amenities along the way, such as Baltimore and a delicious ham 'n' eggs meal in Carolina. The third verse emphasizes the speed of the train, with the singer noting the sound of the whistle as they approach their destination - Tennessee. The last verse references a party at the station where the singer's love interest will be, and he plans to tell her that he won't leave again.
Overall, the song is an upbeat celebration of excitement and travel, with a catchy tune and fun lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Pardon me boy, is that the Chattanooga Choo Choo?
Excuse me, the train that I see on the track, does that happen to be the Chattanooga Choo Choo?
Track twenty nine, boy you can gimme a shine
Make my shoes shine bright, as I will be boarding train number twenty nine.
I can afford to board a Chattanooga Choo Choo
I have enough money to purchase a ticket for the Chattanooga Choo Choo.
I've got my fare and just a trifle to spare
I have the exact amount of money needed for my train ticket, along with a small amount of extra money.
You leave the Pennsylvania station 'bout a quarter to four
The train departs from Pennsylvania station close to four o'clock.
Read a magazine and then you're in Baltimore
Pass the time by reading a magazine and before you know it, you will have arrived in Baltimore.
Dinner in the diner, nothing could be finer
Having dinner in the train's diner is one of the best things about riding the Chattanooga Choo Choo.
Than to have your ham 'n' eggs in Carolina
Eating a breakfast of ham and eggs in Carolina is a delightful experience that cannot be surpassed.
When you hear the whistle blowin' eight to the bar
The sound of the whistle blowing eight times means that the train is running at full steam and moving quickly.
Then you know that Tennessee is not very far
Hearing the whistle indicates that the train is close to reaching Tennessee.
Shovel all the coal in, gotta keep it rollin'
The train's workers must continuously shovel coal into the engine to keep the train moving at a steady pace.
Woo, woo, Chattanooga, there you are
The train's arrival to Chattanooga is celebrated with excitement and enthusiasm.
There's gonna be a certain party at the station
There is a specific gathering or celebration waiting for the train's arrival at the station.
Satin and lace, I used to call funny face
There is an individual at the station who the passenger refers to as 'funny face', who is most likely wearing fancy clothing made of satin and lace.
She's gonna cry until I tell her that I'll never roam
The individual referred to as 'funny face' is upset and will only stop crying once the passenger assures them that they will never leave again.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Mack Gordon, Harry Warren
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rhonda Boncutter
Any thing Floyd played was fantastic! loved him!
sauquoit13456
Entered Billboard's 100 on January 20th, 1962, eventually it peaked at No. 36 and spent a total of 8 weeks in the Top 100... The flip side of this record also charted, "Let's Go, reached #90... Other charted versions; Ernie Fields {#54 in 1960}, Harpers Bizarre {#45 in 1967}, and Tuxedo Junction {#32 in 1978}... The original version was by Glenn Miller; it became No. 1 on December 7th, 1941 {Pearl Harbor day} on the Billboard's Best Seller chart, it stayed in the top spot for nine weeks...
Isaac Jimenez
Cool
Cristina Delgadillo
Me encantaba su forma de tocar el piano.
Raymond Malcuit
This Song Went To Number 36 On The Billboard Hot 100 Chart In 1962.
Rhonda Boncutter
Wow, love this so very much!
Western Ohio Interurban History
this is literally better than anything made today
you can tell he tried
Peter Ronney
When swing, doo wop, and early R&R colide. Very nice song!
Western Ohio Interurban History
this song is fire
Rhonda Boncutter
Peter, I think you have a wonderful music choice! I taught school for 30 years!Wish I had known you as one of my students!