Throughout his later teen years, Jimmie was sidetracked from the music and took an interest in fast cars, professional bowling tournaments and other hobbies while all along the desire for music continued to run through his veins. The tragedy of the fateful plane crash of 1977 of the Lynyrd Skynyrd band and loss of Ronnie Van Zant brought Jimmie back to his musical roots and he then decided to make his mark in the industry, guided by the lessons he learned from his cousin Ronnie. He formed his own group and later was signed by a record label and recorded his first album, “Southern Comfort” fondly co-writing “Ronnies Song” as a tribute to his beloved cousin, which he is still demanded to play live on tour. Jimmie never looked back and continued to tour with his dedication and drive for the music, performing over 200 shows a year, delivering each performance with a vengeance.
In 2008, Jimmie released “My Name is Jimmie,” which recently became available for purchase. Currently, Jimmie and his band is working on their third album, spending a lot of time in Nashville, performing new music and working with the legendary teams of James Dean Hicks, Charlie Craig and Tommy Southern, recording cutting edge southern rock & country music. In his down time, Jimmie enjoys “being lazy,” movies, landscaping, horseback riding, fishing, go-cart racing, and spending quality time with the love of his life, his wife, Zohra.
Being cast into the shadows and branded as a “tribute band,” Jimmie continues to prove even the most cynical people wrong by standing on his own and continuing the legacy of southern rock and roll that began in the roots of his family. He will always strive to carry on his families name proudly.
With conviction Jimmie states, “I have always believed that music can change peoples’ lives and if I can do something to make someone’s life a little more enjoyable, then I feel I have done my job well. That is why I am here and that is also the reason why there is Southern Rock.”
RUNAWAY TRAIN
Jimmie Van Zant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My destination was a mystery
Started nice and slow, I heard that whistle blow
At every crossing I've been pickin' up speed
Ddicted to the rhythm, ignoring every sign
The faster we go the more we leave behind
Watchin' life rushin' by through a dusty window pane
The wind and the wheels keep screamin' to my brain
Sayin' jump the track, get me outta here, Jack
There's gotta be a way to stop this runaway train
I got a nut to crack, about to break my back
Nobody else is gonna shoulder this load
Now I can feel the sweat, how much hotter can it get
Before you realize you're out of control
It ain't about the money, it's all about the race
A little piece of heaven and the dreams we gotta chase
Still we ride and we ride on this runaway train
Watchin' life rushin' by through a dusty window pane
The wind and the wheels keep screamin' to my brain
Sayin' jump the track, get me outta here, Jack
There's gotta be a way to stop this runaway train
Someday I'll slow down when there's no where left to go
I'll turn this train around and let it take me on home
Yeah, we ride and we ride on this runaway train
Watchin' life rushin' by through a dusty window pane
The wind and the wheels keep callin' out my name
Screamin' to my brain
Gotta ride gotta ride this runaway train
Devil right behind ya, drivin' you insane
The wind and the wheels keep screamin' to my brain
Sayin' jump the track, get me outta here, Jack
There's gotta be a way to stop this runaway train
Get me off this runaway train, get me off the runaway train
The opening line of Jimmie Van Zant's "Runaway Train" sets the stage for a song about a journey that was set in motion without the singer's consent but has taken on a life of its own. He sings about being born and already being on a train that he didn't choose to board, with his ultimate destination a mystery. The song is about the feeling of being caught up in the momentum of life, and how it can be difficult to slow down or get off when things start moving too fast. The metaphor of a runaway train represents the fear of being unable to recapture control over one's life once that momentum starts to build.
The chorus of "Runaway Train" continues the train metaphor, with the wind and the wheels "screaming" to the singer's brain to jump off the track and find a way to stop the train. The song recognizes that the allure of speed and excitement can be hard to resist, but that it comes with a price - a feeling of being out of control and unable to steer one's own life. Ultimately, the singer acknowledges that he will have to slow down someday, but for now, the thrill of the ride is too strong.
Overall, "Runaway Train" is a song about feeling like life is moving too fast, and the struggle to find a way to slow down or regain control. It's a relatable sentiment for anyone who has felt like they are caught up in the momentum of life, and it's conveyed with the help of a powerful metaphor and driving rock music.
Line by Line Meaning
The day that I was born, someone cried 'all aboard'
I started my journey the day I was born and someone must have wished me good luck on my way to an unknown destination.
My destination was a mystery
I had no idea where I was headed in this journey called life.
Started nice and slow, I heard that whistle blow
The journey started off calmly but then I heard the call to pick up speed.
At every crossing I've been pickin' up speed
At every obstacle or intersection, I've been going faster and faster.
Addicted to the rhythm, ignoring every sign
I'm now hooked on the pace and not paying attention to warning signs or signals.
The faster we go the more we leave behind
The faster I move forward in life, the more I leave behind in terms of people, places and experiences.
Still we ride and we ride on this runaway train
Despite everything that's happened, we're still moving forward uncontrollably.
Watchin' life rushin' by through a dusty window pane
I'm only able to witness life happening from a distance, with dirt accumulating on the window pane of my train carriage.
The wind and the wheels keep screamin' to my brain
The sounds of the train keep getting louder and more intense, slowly driving me crazy.
Sayin' jump the track, get me outta here, Jack
The noise is now demanding that I do something about this out-of-control situation.
There's gotta be a way to stop this runaway train
I'm searching for a way to regain control and put an end to this madness.
I got a nut to crack, about to break my back
I have a problem to solve, one that feels like it's about to overwhelm me.
Nobody else is gonna shoulder this load
I can't count on anyone else to help me bear the weight of my problems and responsibilities.
Now I can feel the sweat, how much hotter can it get
The pressure is mounting and I feel like I'm about to overheat.
It ain't about the money, it's all about the race
This struggle isn't about financial gain, but rather the journey of life itself.
A little piece of heaven and the dreams we gotta chase
The reward for all my hard work is experiencing even the smallest piece of happiness and fulfillment in my dreams.
Someday I'll slow down when there's no where left to go
I know that one day the journey will come to an end and I'll be forced to slow down and stop.
I'll turn this train around and let it take me on home
When that day comes, I'll be able to look back on my journey and let the train carry me home, wherever that may be.
Devil right behind ya, drivin' you insane
I have a constant feeling that I'm being pursued by something or someone, driving me to the brink of insanity.
There's gotta be a way to stop this runaway train
I know there's a solution out there to regain control and bring the train to a stop, I just have to find it.
Get me off this runaway train, get me off the runaway train
I'm begging for any means possible to put an end to this situation and get myself out of this endless cycle of chaos, stress and uncertainty.
Writer(s): Joie Ellyn Scott, James M. Peterik Copyright: Penny Farthing Music O.B.O. Jim Peterik Music
Contributed by Kaitlyn K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.