Formed in 1999, t… Read Full Bio ↴Little Big Town is an American country music band.
Formed in 1999, the band has four members: Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Jimi Westbrook and Phillip Sweet. There is no lead singer in the band; instead, they trade lead vocal duties as well as rely on the harmonies of the four members.
Little Big Town's self-titled 2002 debut for Sony's Monument Records was panned critically and did not sell commercially. The album had only one minor hit single, "Don't Waste My Time," and it wasn't long before Little Big Town was dropped from the label.
Little Big Town resurfaced on the Equity Music Group label (formed by country singer Clint Black), and on October 4, 2005, released their second album, The Road to Here. The new album was well-received critically, and spawned the smash hit single "Boondocks." Three further singles were released from the album, including the Top 5 hit "Bring It on Home."
Their second album with the Equity label, A Place to Land, was released in 2007. Although, not long after its release, the label folded. Little Big Town then re-released the album a year later via Capitol Nashville. Two of the album's singles were minor Top 40 hits.
In 2010, the group returned with "Little White Church," the lead-off to their fourth studio album, The Reason Why, which was released on August 24, 2010.
RUNAWAY TRAIN
Little Big Town Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah the preacher's daughter's got a thing for me
With all of our stuff in a pick up truck
Yeah we're headed out west in a cloud of dust
[Chorus]
Runaway baby like a runaway train
Like a train comin' off the tracks
Runaway and never look back
Runaway and never look back
Well, it's a Vegas weddin' at the break of day
By a magistrate dressed in blue suede
Lost all of our cash on a roll of the bones
Had to pawn that ring just to get back home
[Chorus]
In a cheap motel on the county line
Sneakin' back into town in the black of night
I heard the preacher screamin' through the motel door
Yeah he's cursin' my soul in the name of the Lord
Runaway baby like a runaway train
Like a train comin' off the tracks
Runaway baby like a runaway train
Runaway and never look back
Runaway baby like a runaway train
Like a train comin' off the tracks
Runaway baby like a runaway train
Runaway and never look back
Runaway and never look back
Runaway and never look back, yeah
The lyrics of Little Big Town's song "Runaway Train" tell the story of a young man who makes impulsive decisions and runs away with the preacher's daughter. He sells his guitar to buy her a diamond ring and joins her in a pickup truck, heading out west with all their belongings in tow. The couple then gets married in a Las Vegas wedding and loses all their money while gambling. To get back home, they have to pawn the diamond ring, and things take a turn for the worse when they end up in a cheap motel on the county line. The preacher finds out about their elopement and shows up at their motel room, cursing the young man's soul in the name of the Lord.
In essence, "Runaway Train" speaks to the themes of youth, love, and the need for freedom. It speaks to the reality that sometimes, young people make rash decisions that might have lasting consequences. The song is relatable to anyone who has made an impulsive decision in the name of love, only to later realize the folly of their choices.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I sold my guitar for a diamond ring
I gave up my passion for a symbol of commitment to the preacher's daughter who is attracted to me.
Yeah the preacher's daughter's got a thing for me
I am romantically involved with the daughter of the clergyman who seems to be fond of me.
With all of our stuff in a pick up truck
We have packed our belongings in a truck to set forth on a journey.
Yeah we're headed out west in a cloud of dust
We are moving towards the western part of the country amidst a trail of dust.
Runaway baby like a runaway train
Referring to the preacher's daughter, who is running away like a train that is off its tracks.
Like a train comin' off the tracks
With no clear direction or control, like the situation they're in or the life they're leading.
Runaway and never look back
Escaping their past and starting anew by never glancing back.
Well, it's a Vegas weddin' at the break of day
They got married in Las Vegas early in the morning by a magistrate.
By a magistrate dressed in blue suede
The person officiating the wedding was wearing a blue suede coat.
Lost all of our cash on a roll of the bones
They lost all their money while gambling.
Had to pawn that ring just to get back home
They had to sell the diamond ring to cover their travelling expenses.
In a cheap motel on the county line
They stayed in a budget motel located on the border between two counties.
Sneakin' back into town in the black of night
They returned to the town covertly in the darkness of night.
I heard the preacher screamin' through the motel door
The priest could be heard yelling outside the motel room.
Yeah he's cursin' my soul in the name of the Lord
The priest curses them in the name of God for their deeds.
Runaway and never look back
Escape the situation they're in and never turn back.
Runaway and never look back
Don't glance back at the past and keep moving forward.
Runaway baby like a runaway train
Keep running away resembling a train that's gone off the tracks.
Like a train comin' off the tracks
Like their lives which have gone off the tracks and without any clear direction or control.
Runaway baby like a runaway train
Escape the life which is heading in the wrong direction.
Runaway and never look back
Escape the life that is not their choice and look forward to a new beginning.
Runaway and never look back
Walk away from the situation and don't turn back.
Runaway and never look back, yeah
Without any regrets or doubts, leave the past behind and move forward.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JIMI WESTBROOK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind