Lowell George met Bill Payne when George was a member of Frank Zappa's Mothers of Invention. Payne had auditioned for the Mothers, but had not joined. They formed Little Feat along with former Mothers' bassist Roy Estrada and drummer Richie Hayward from George's previous band, the Factory. The name of the band came from a comment made by Mothers' drummer Jimmy Carl Black about Lowell's "little feet." The spelling of "feat" was an homage to The Beatles.
Their first two albums received nearly universal critical acclaim, and "Willin'" became a standard, subsequently popularized by its inclusion on Linda Ronstadt's album Heart Like a Wheel.
While touring in support of his solo album in June 1979, at the age of 34, George collapsed in his hotel room in Arlington, Virginia. The surviving members finished and released the Little Feat album "Down on the Farm" before disbanding.
The surviving former members of Little Feat reformed in 1987 when Paul Barrere, Sam Clayton, Kenny Gradney, Richie Hayward and Bill Payne added songwriter/vocalist Craig Fuller, formerly from the band Pure Prairie League (who also provided some rhythm guitar), and Fred Tackett on guitar, mandolin and trumpet.
With a seemingly constant tour schedule, Little Feat is easily one of the hardest-working and enduring bands in the industry today. With a history that spans more than 30 years, Little Feat is regarded by many rock music critics as a "band's band", and as one of the greatest rock bands in American rock music history. Best known for their combination of California rock and Dixie-inflected funk-boogie, they craftily blend folk, blues, rockabilly, country and jazz to create a unique style all their own, garnering a faithful grass-roots following. Simply put, Little Feat's sound transcends traditional music boundaries and they offer fans an unforgettable live performance.
Richie Hayward became the second founding member of the band to die, passing from pneumonia and other complications of lung disease on August 18, 2010.
Two Trains
Little Feat Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In 1967 I had all there was
And as my time went by I was satisfied
Until that situation took me by surprise
Now there's two trains runnin' - on that line
One train's me, and the other's a friend of mine
You know it would be all right, be just fine
If the woman took one train, and left the other behind
Illusion it is just the same conclusion
I don't know how to play the game
Of what it is or how it's going to be
When one train is my friend and the other train is me
Easy, I say easy, I can't push or shove her
So I guess I really care
Now I'm not one to hide my love behind a lock and key
But if things keep going the way they are there's no place left for me
There's two trains runnin' - on that line
One train's me, and the other's a friend of mine
You know it would be all right, be just fine
If the woman took one train, and left the other behind
Two trains, two trains, two trains, two trains
The song "Two Trains" by Little Feat is about the complexity of love and relationships. The singer tells the story of how he found love in 1966 and had everything he wanted in 1967. However, as time went on, he found himself in a situation where there were "two trains running" on the same line. One train is him, and the other is his friend who is also in love with the same woman. He wishes that the woman would choose one train and leave the other behind, but he knows that it is not that easy.
The lyrics suggest that the singer is torn between his love for the woman and his loyalty to his friend. He knows that he cannot force the woman to choose him, and he is not willing to push or shove her. He cares deeply for her and is not one to hide his feelings, but he also acknowledges that if things continue as they are, there will be no place left for him.
The song's refrain of "two trains running" emphasizes the metaphor of the situation. The trains represent the different paths that the singer and his friend are on, with the woman being the common link between them. The singer does not know how to "play the game" and expresses his confusion about the situation.
Overall, "Two Trains" is a poignant and introspective song that explores the complexity of human relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
In 1966 I found my love
The singer fell in love in the year 1966.
In 1967 I had all there was
In the year 1967, the singer had everything they wanted or needed.
And as my time went by I was satisfied
As time went on, the singer remained content with their life.
Until that situation took me by surprise
However, a situation arose that the artist was not expecting.
Now there's two trains runnin' - on that line
There are now two conflicting desires that the artist has.
One train's me, and the other's a friend of mine
The singer is torn between their own desires and the desires of their friend.
You know it would be all right, be just fine
If the woman chose one decision over the other, everything would be okay.
If the woman took one train, and left the other behind
If the woman chose one path over the other, the artist would feel more at ease.
Illusion it is just the same conclusion
This conflict is an illusion, leading to the same conclusion no matter what choice is made.
I don't know how to play the game
The artist is not sure how to handle this situation.
Of what it is or how it's going to be
The singer is uncertain of what the outcome will be.
When one train is my friend and the other train is me
The artist is conflicted between making a decision for their own benefit or their friend's benefit.
Easy, I say easy, I can't push or shove her
The singer knows they cannot force their desired outcome.
So I guess I really care
The singer has strong feelings for this woman and the outcome affects them deeply.
Now I'm not one to hide my love behind a lock and key
The singer is not one to hide their feelings for someone they care about.
But if things keep going the way they are there's no place left for me
If this conflict persists, the artist fears there will not be a resolution that satisfies them.
Two trains, two trains, two trains, two trains
The artist repeats the conflict in their head, unsure of what to do.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: LOWELL GEORGE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Cerph
"Two Trains"
In 1966 I found my love
In 1967, I had all there was
And as my time went by, I was satisfied
Til' that situation took me by surprise
An' now well there's, two trains runnin'- on that line
One train's for me, and the other's a friend of mine
Oh would it- be all right, be just fine
If'a one takes one train, and (left the other), other behind
(brief instrumental- Lowell electric slide)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Illusion, it has just the same conclusion
I don't know how to play the game of
What it is, or how it's gonna' be
When one train is my friend, and the other train is me
Yay, yay, yeah
(instrumental- Lowell electric slide)
Easy, I say easy, I can't push or shove
So I guess I really care
Now I'm not one to hide my love behind a lock and key
But if things keep goin' the way they are, be no place left f' me- yay yay
There's two trains runnin'- on that line
One train's f' me, and the other's a- friend of mine
Oh, would it- be all right, be just fine
If'a woman took the one train, (yay yay) (and left the other) other behind
Two trains, (two trains)
Two trains, (oh, two trains)
Two trains
(fade out)
two trains
@bryanjackholder6911
In 1966 I found my love
In 1967 I had all there was
And as my time went by I was satisfied
Until that situation took me by surprise
Now there's two trains runnin' - on that line
One train's me, and the other's a friend of mine
You know it would be all right, be just fine
If the woman took one train, and left the other behind
Illusion it is just the same conclusion
I don't know how to play the game
Of what it is or how it's going to be
When one train is my friend and the other train is me
Easy, I say easy, I can't push or shove her
So I guess I really care
Now I'm not one to hide my love behind a lock and key
But if things keep going the way they are there's no place left for me
There's two trains runnin' - on that line
One train's me, and the other's a friend of mine
You know it would be all right, be just fine
If the woman took one train, and left the other behind
Two trains, two trains, two trains, two trains
@calliegoldman6326
My teenage son sets his alarm to wake to this song. Those opening bars build gently and make an excellent ease from slumber. Funky jams transcend generations. RIP Lowell.
@malkavian6275
i could never use a song i love as my morning alarm, id end up hating it lol
@coldroses5337
Very cool !!!
@1952FMS
Turned my son on to this one by his listening to what I listened to(which was before he was born) & of course after. He just sent me a text with it playing & said he loved it. Runs in the family. Thank you Lowell & all of Little Feat for all the great tunes. My son is 39.
@spasmonaut10
Listen to that guitar wail... Anyone else play air slide to this? Gives me goosebumps every time I hear that solo take off and Bill is jamming on the piano. I was born well after Lowell passed, but I listened to Little Feat beginning with this album when I was probably about 6 or 7 thanks to my dad. No one else my age knew who Little Feat was. Saw them last year for the first time and it was a night I'll never forget. RIP Dad, and thanks for all that you gave me.
@willmiddleton9199
Love your comment. I saw Little Feat the first time in 1978 and then a couple weeks ago saw the new version of the Feat with both my sons - now 31 and 24. And lemme tell you THEY ROCKED !! Highly recommend catching a show if the play anywhere near where you live. Fantastic show and so, so happy I was with my boys ! I raised them on "real" music ;-)
@philbob99
Gotta play air bass with Kenny! ( Gradney)... so good.
@danthebeachman
This group deserves more respect....Yes!.....it is a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Band....and a forerunner for groups that came after them....Who doesn't know Little Feat and considers themselves a lover of music
@PeterElfant
who came after them? they broke the mold
@nickvandergraaf1053
One of the rockingest things I've ever heard!