In October 1978, McCulloch founded Echo & the Bunnymen with Will Sergeant (guitar), Les Pattinson (bass), and a drum machine (allegedly named Echo), making their live début at Eric's in November that year. In October 1979 the Bunnymen exchanged the drum machine for Pete de Freitas on drums. With their line up solidified, the Bunnymen played in the late 1970s and early 1980s, releasing their critically praised debut album, Crocodiles in 1980, and the heavier, bass driven, Heaven up Here in 1981. They released their third album Porcupine in 1983 with the lead single "The Cutter" finishing in the Top 10 of the UK Charts. Ocean Rain followed in 1984.
In 1988, McCulloch left the group to pursue a solo career under the impression the Bunnymen would be laid to rest, if only temporarily. When the remaining Bunnymen continued using the name with new singer Noel Burke, the split became permanent with McCulloch referring to the band as "Echo & the Bogusmen".
In 1990, McCulloch released the album Candleland which reflected a more mature outlook on the world, owing to the recent deaths of McCulloch's father and his friend Pete de Freitas. The album peaked at number 18 in the UK Charts. It yielded two Modern Rock Tracks hits, "Proud To Fall" (No. 1 for 4 weeks) and "Faith and Healing." His album Mysterio was released in 1992, but the public's interest in the former Bunnyman was waning and it sold less than its predecessor. Shortly after, McCulloch left the public eye to devote more time to his family.
McCulloch rekindled his relationship with Will Sergeant, leading to the formation of Electrafixion in 1994. The band released the album Burned which peaked at number 38 in the UK and included the top-30 hit "Sister Pain." The band soon found themselves performing set lists composed of half Electrafixion songs and half Echo & the Bunnymen songs.
In 1997, Echo & the Bunnymen reformed and released the album Evergreen to positive reviews and chart success. Evergreen made the Top 10 of the UK Albums Chart and the single "Nothing Lasts Forever reached No. 8 on the UK Singles Chart.[12] The reformed Bunnymen have since recorded several further albums, the most recent being Meteorites[/abum] which was released in 2014.
Another Train
Ian McCulloch Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't wait, you know you've got to let it out, to let it show
And you know that something's coming
The writing's on the wall
The winds of change are starting to blow
I know
Baby's on another train
Baby's on another train
She's going home, going home, going home
Can't take it slow
Cos yesterday's today's tomorrow
The stakes seem low
Until you have to pay for what you borrow
Cos you know that something's coming
The writing's on the wall
The wind of change is starting to blow
I know
Baby's on another train
She's gonna make this trip alone
Baby's on another train
She's going home, going home, going home
Too late, I know, it's time to let it go
Don't wait, you know you've got to let it out, to let it show
Cos you know that something's coming
The writing's on the wall
The wind of change is starting to blow
I know
Baby's on another train
She's gonna make this trip alone
Baby's on another train
She's going home, going home, going home
The lyrics to Ian McCulloch's song "Another Train" are about the inevitability of change and the importance of accepting it rather than trying to hold on to what was. The first stanza speaks of the need to let go of something that is already gone, and the urgency of not waiting any longer to express your emotions. The chorus refers to a person named Baby who is on a journey and is going home - this could be either a physical or emotional journey. The second verse talks about the consequences of actions and how they can come back to haunt you. The chorus, once again, refers to Baby's trip and how it is a lone one. The last stanza is a repetition of the first, emphasizing the wanting to let go of things that are already in the past.
The overall message of the song is about accepting change, and not getting stuck in the past. Baby represents change and growth, and how it’s necessary to embrace these in order to move forward. The "writing on the wall" that McCulloch sings about refers to the signs that change is coming, and we need to be ready for it.
Line by Line Meaning
Too late, I know, the time to let it go
I understand it's too late now to move on from this.
Don't wait, you know you've got to let it out, to let it show
There's no reason to hold back, let your true feelings show.
And you know that something's coming
You sense that a big change is approaching.
The writing's on the wall
The signs are all there predicting what's about to happen.
The winds of change are starting to blow
Things are changing, and it's just the beginning.
I know
I am aware of how this situation is developing.
Baby's on another train
The person we're referring to is making a big change in their life.
She's gonna make this trip alone
This person is going to face this new journey without the support of others.
She's going home, going home, going home
This person has found their way back to where they started, or where they feel most comfortable.
Can't take it slow
There's no time to waste, things need to happen quickly.
Cos yesterday's today's tomorrow
The past, present, and future are all intertwined and can't be separated.
The stakes seem low
The risks involved don't seem to be high at first.
Until you have to pay for what you borrow
You won't realize the true cost of the situation until it's too late to back out.
Contributed by Zoe V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.