In addition to his own albums, Eaglesmith frequently collaborated with the late Willie P. Bennett, a past member of Eaglesmith's band, who had to step down after a heart attack in spring 2007. Eaglesmith's fans are known as Fredheads because of the similarities to deadheads. He has appeared in several movies, including "The Gift" and "50 Odd Dollars." His band is known as The Flying Squirrels or The Flathead Noodlers. Both bands have the same lineup, but play different styles. The Flathead Noodlers play bluegrass, while the Flying Squirrels play more folk and rock. An early incarnation of the band was known as The Smokin' Losers. When Fred does solo appearances he bills himself as Fred J. Eaglesmith. In addition to the songs, a typical Fred Eaglesmith show includes several lengthy between-song comic monologues by Fred. Topics in the past have included stories about crossing the U.S./Canada border, Newfoundlanders, and some friends from an Indian reserve. Eaglesmith is the owner and president of A Major Label, which publishes his records.
Current band members
* Fred J. Eaglesmith - Guitars, Vocals
* Matt Simpson - Acoustic guitar, Keyboards, Vocals
* Kori Heppner - Drums
* Luke Stackhouse - Bass, Vocals
Former members
* Willie P. Bennett - Mandolin, Harmonica, Vocals
* David Essig - Mandolin, Guitar
* Kevin Komatsu - Drums
* Roger Marin Jr. - Pedal Steel, Guitar, Vocals
* Ralph Schipper - Bass
* Jude Waldman - Drums
* Dan Walsh - Dobro, Guitar, Vocals
* Skip Wamsteeker - Drums
* Washboard Hank - Washboard, Dobro
* Darcy Yates - Bass
Discography
* Fred Eaglesmith (1980)
* The Boy That Just Went Wrong (1983)
* Indiana Road (1987)
* There Ain't No Easy Road (1991)
* Things Is Changin' (1993)
* Paradise Motel (1994)
* Drive-In Movie (1995)
* Lipstick, Lies and Gasoline (1997)
* 50 Odd Dollars (1999)
* Live: Ralph's Last Show (2001)
* Falling Stars and Broken Hearts (2002)
* The Official Bootleg Series, Vol. 1' (2002)
* Balin (2003)
* The Official Bootleg Series, Vol. 2' (2004)
* Dusty (2004)
* Milly's Cafe (2006)
* Tinderbox (2008)
www.fredeaglesmith.com
I Like Trains
Fred Eaglesmith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Traffic was stopped at a railway crossing, took it to the shoulder
I stoked the kettle, I put it to the metal
I shook the gravel loose
I missed the train but I was happy with a glimpse of the caboose
'Cause I like trains
I like fast trains
That call out through the rain
I like trains
I like sad trains
I like trains that whisper your name
I was born on a Greyhound bus
My mama was a diesel engine
They tried to put me behind the wheel
But I wouldn't let them
You shoulda seen the look in their eyes
And how it turned to tears
When I finally told them
I want to be an engineer
'Cause I like trains
I like fast trains
I like trains that call out through the rain
I like trains
I like sad trains
I like trains that whisper your name
Now, you think that I've got someone new
But darlin', that ain't true
I could never love another woman besides you
It's not some dewy eyed darlin', darlin'
That's gonna drive you insane
But any more, I'd be listening for
The sound of a big old train
'Cause I like trains
I like fast trains
I like trains
That call out through the rain
I like trains
I like sad trains
I like trains that whisper your name
I like trains that whisper, whisper your name
The song "I Like Trains" by Fred Eaglesmith is an ode to the singer's lifelong fascination and love for trains. The lyrics describe an incident where the singer is stuck in traffic near a railway crossing and misses the train, but is still satisfied with just a view of the caboose. The chorus repeats the singer's love for trains, particularly fast trains that call out through the rain and sad trains that whisper someone's name. The second verse reveals that the singer's love for trains goes back to childhood; he was born on a Greyhound bus and aspired to be an engineer, much to the chagrin of his parents. The final verse declares the singer's love for his partner but also his unrelenting love for trains, and how he would even listen for the sound of a train over his partner's voice.
The song's lyrics evoke a certain sense of nostalgia and longing, as if the singer is reminiscing about simpler times when trains were a more prominent mode of transportation. It also represents the singer's rebellious spirit and his love for doing things his own way, as evidenced by his rejection of his parents' expectations and his unwavering passion for trains.
Line by Line Meaning
Sixteen miles from Arkadelphia, right near the Texas border
I was driving, and on my way to Texas I came across a railway crossing.
Traffic was stopped at a railway crossing, took it to the shoulder
Cars were stopped at the crossing. I pulled off to the side of the road.
I stoked the kettle, I put it to the metal
I pushed the accelerator as hard as I could.
I shook the gravel loose
My car made a lot of noise as I drove away.
I missed the train but I was happy with a glimpse of the caboose
I didn't make it across the tracks before the train passed, but I was still happy to see the end of the train.
'Cause I like trains
I like fast trains
I like trains
That call out through the rain
I like trains
I like sad trains
I like trains that whisper your name
I really enjoy trains, especially ones that go fast, make noise in the rain, or seem sad. I even like trains that remind me of you.
I was born on a Greyhound bus
My mama was a diesel engine
I was born while my mom was on a Greyhound bus. I like to say that my mom (and maybe I) was like a diesel engine, strong and powerful.
They tried to put me behind the wheel
But I wouldn't let them
You shoulda seen the look in their eyes
And how it turned to tears
When I finally told them
I want to be an engineer
People wanted me to drive something, but I refused. They were surprised when I told them I wanted to be a train engineer instead.
'Cause I like trains
I like fast trains
I like trains that call out through the rain
I like trains
I like sad trains
I like trains that whisper your name
I really enjoy trains, especially ones that go fast, make noise in the rain, or seem sad. I even like trains that remind me of you.
Now, you think that I've got someone new
But darlin', that ain't true
I could never love another woman besides you
You might think I'm seeing someone else, but that's not true. I could never love anyone else like I love you.
It's not some dewy eyed darlin', darlin'
That's gonna drive you insane
But any more, I'd be listening for
The sound of a big old train
I'm not trying to be overly affectionate, but if I were to listen to anything else, it would be the sound of a train. It's my favorite sound.
'Cause I like trains
I like fast trains
I like trains
That call out through the rain
I like trains
I like sad trains
I like trains that whisper your name
I like trains that whisper, whisper your name
I really enjoy trains, especially ones that go fast, make noise in the rain, or seem sad. I even like trains that remind me of you.
Lyrics Β© Bluewater Music Corp.
Written by: Fred Elgersma
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@thomaslabelle922
This is great stuff. I've seen Fred many times and he never fails to entertain.
@sharonc1858
I've seen him a few times in VT. I love this song. It's funny to me that the video shows him starting off in TX and ending in GA. 2 of my favorite places to live.
@sharonc1858
I listen for the train every morning.
@zachariahguinn469
I saw him growing up at folk festivals in Florida
@OhtobeinIreland
I showed this to a fellow passenger on ViaRail on my way from Halifax to Toronto...I think I may have made a new βFred-Headβ!
@blackholeentry3489
I grew up in NE Portland, OR.....right next to where the main trainline passed through a natural canyon. I spent many hours watching the local steam trains huffing & puffing by from a nearby bridge as they passed underneath on three tracks. Burning coal for winter heat was the norm of the day, everyone had a five ton coalbin in their front yard, but it seems ours was mostly empty. So, my mother would send me with a small bucket, at the age of nine, walk along the tracks and gather coal that had fallen from local trains going by. Took my wife there about ten years ago to show her and trains still rolled by, but, of course, they are all diesel/electric now.
Ah.....the memories!
Seems sorta strange, thinking about it, but.....right now I live in Watsonville, CA, about two blocks away from the main Pacific line running from LA to Oakland, sometimes I'll awake in the night hearing a train roll by, but instead of irritating me, if find it comforting.
BHE
@jakevermeulen1079
This guy trains
@simpleman4059
TURN IT UP!
@Jimmcgurn
Fred is the best!
@JamesWilson-mu7vk
I like trains π VROOOOOOOOOM!