Jonny Lang (born Jon Gordon Langseth, Jr. in Fargo, North Dakota, January 2… Read Full Bio ↴Jonny Lang (born Jon Gordon Langseth, Jr. in Fargo, North Dakota, January 29, 1981) is a Grammy Award-winning American singer and guitarist performing blues, gospel, soul, and rock music, his latest work being 2013's 'Fight For My Soul'. In 1995, at the age of 14, Lang released his first album, 'Smokin'. Performing both as himself and as as 'Kid Jonny Lang & The Big Bang', he achieved some budding success. As a result of the LP becoming a regional hit, a major-label bidding war ensued that culminated in Lang signing to A&M Records in 1996.

In 1997, at the age of 15, he released his major-label debut, 'Lie to Me'. Though it picked up mixed critical reviews, the album served as a commercial breakthrough, with single "Lie to Me" particularly receiving much airplay and earning the #12 slot on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart. That blues rock track continues to be beloved by Lang's fan-base.

Lang followed with 'Wander This World', released on October 20, 1998. Broadening his sound somewhat with influences from classic soul and modern rock, the release experienced widespread success. His singles, "Wander This World" and "Still Rainin'", did particularly well, the latter tune reaching the #8 slot on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart.

Several releases and constant touring later, Lang's latest work is 'Fight For My Soul', released on September 2, 2013. The album has received critical acclaim from publications such has Allmusic, with the reviewers remarking that Lang "dives headfirst into classic soul and R&B, its elastic, funky grooves allowing the guitarist plenty of space to solo". It also hit the #20 slot on Billboard's 'Top Rock Albums' chart, selling extremely well.

Part of his success has been due to a voice that sounds somewhat like that of a 40-year-old blues veteran, containing what fans have seen as a harshness tempered by a fine falsetto that has taken prominence in his newest albums. Another part of his success is his scorching, electrifying guitar solos, which display a prodigious natural talent honed by years of practice and playing. Whatever the secret to his success, the youngster has quickly become a fixture in the blues world, drawing crowds wherever he goes.

Lang has drawn deeply from the wellspring of influences from the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert King, Luther Allison, and Albert Collins. Many blues artists have also been encouraged to pick up the guitar from his example. As he becomes more confident in his role as a musical veteran instead of a boy wonder, one can see the possibilities he has yet to share with his fans.

"E" Train
Jonny Lang Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Take the "E" train babe
Take the easy train to Austin

Take the "E" train babe
Take the easy train to Austin

Baby you been ridin' that train so long
Lord knows when you'll come home

Come on ride with me baby
All the drinks are on me
Come on ride with me baby
All the drinks are on me
Honey you know there ain't no last call
When you ride on the "E"

Let your light shine down
Let it shine down on me
Let your light shine down Lord
Let it shine on me
Lord let your good light shine
Let it shine on the "E" train

Take the "E" train
Take the "E" train
Baby take the "E" train
Take the easy train to Austin

Honey you been ridin' that train so long
Lord knows when you'll come home

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "E" Train by Jonny Lang are about a woman who has been riding the train to Austin for a long time, and the singer is asking her to ride with him instead. He wants her to let her light shine on him and let the good light shine on the "E" train. The singer offers to buy her drinks, and encourages her to take the easy train to Austin with him, where there is no last call. The song's overall theme is about finding an escape from the mundane life and finding a new adventure with the one you love.

The use of the metaphor of the train is quite symbolic here. The train represents the journey of life of the singer, where the singer wants the woman to switch tracks and take a new path that leads to him. The reference to Austin in the song is significant since it's a city known for its independent music scene, which also plays into the romanticization of a new and exciting life.

Line by Line Meaning

Take the "E" train babe
Come on board the "E" train, my dear

Take the easy train to Austin
Let's hop on the comfortable train to reach Austin easily and without any hassle

Baby you been ridin' that train so long
You have been on that train for an extended period, and it's uncertain when you'll be back

Lord knows when you'll come home
Only the Almighty knows when you'll return home.

Come on ride with me baby
Join me on this ride, my darling

All the drinks are on me
I'll take care of all the drinks' expenses

Honey you know there ain't no last call
You are aware that there isn't a specified time to finish drinking

When you ride on the "E"
When riding on the "E" train

Let your light shine down
Please allow your radiance to illuminate our surroundings

Let it shine down on me
Please kindly let it shine on me

Lord let your good light shine
My Lord, please let your positive light shine