He began his working life as a sailor in the Merchant Navy and, while on leave in New York, entered a talent contest at the famous Radio City Music Hall. He won and after he left the navy tried his hand as a singer in the dance halls of his native Liverpool.
His break came when he joined the Eric Winstone Orchestra and obtained a solo recording contract with Columbia.
He had a string of hits, often covers of American originals, but his career petered out in the early 60s.
He died, possibly of a drugs overdose, in October 1963.
His Grave is located at Anfield Cemetary Liverpool
The Runaway Train
Michael Holliday Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When the winter wind was blowin' shrill,
The rails were froze, the wheels were cold, then the air brakes wouldn't hold,
And Number 9 came roaring down the hill -- oh!
The runaway train came down the track and she blew,
The runaway train came down the track and she blew,
The runaway train came down the track, her whistle wide and her throttle back,
And she blew, blew, blew, blew, blew.
The engineer said the train must halt and she blew,
The engineer said the train must halt and she blew,
The engineer said the train must halt -- he said it was all the fireman's fault,
And she blew, blew, blew, blew, blew.
The fireman said he rang the bell and she blew,
The fireman said he rang the bell and she blew,
The fireman said he rang the bell -- the engineer said "You did like h***!"
And she blew, blew, blew, blew, blew.
The porter got an awful fright and she blew,
The porter got an awful fright and she blew,
The porter got an awful fright -- he got so scared he near turned white,
And she blew, blew, blew, blew, blew.
The conductor said there'd be a wreck and she blew,
The conductor said there'd be a wreck and she blew,
The conductor said there'd be a wreck and he felt the chills run up his neck,
And she blew, blew, blew, blew, blew.
The runaway train went over the hill and she blew,
The runaway train went over the hill and she blew,
The runaway train went over the hill and the last we heard she was going still,
And she blew, blew, blew, blew, blew.
The lyrics of Michael Holliday's song, "The Runaway Train," depict a dramatic event that occurred on an old Chicago line during winter. In the year 1889, when the winter wind was howling shrilly and the wheels were frozen, the air brakes couldn't hold, and the train, "Number 9," started roaring down the hill uncontrollably. The runaway train came down the track with its whistle wide and throttle back, blowing repeatedly. The engineer, realizing the impending disaster, ordered the train to halt, but it was too late. The fireman, porter, and conductor expressed their concern about the situation, but the train kept on going. Eventually, it went over the hill, and all that could be heard was the sound of the whistle blowing.
The lyrics of the song are based on a true event that happened in 1888 in the United States, where a steam locomotive famously ran away from its crew. The song became popular during the 1950s and was covered by many artists around the world. Its catchy melody and vivid lyrics have made it a classic of the folk and children's music genre.
Line by Line Meaning
T'was in the year of '89 on that old Chicago line,
This event happened in 1889 on the Chicago railroad.
When the winter wind was blowin' shrill,
The weather was cold and windy at that time.
The rails were froze, the wheels were cold, then the air brakes wouldn't hold,
The cold weather caused the rails and wheels to freeze, and the air brakes failed to work.
And Number 9 came roaring down the hill -- oh!
Train Number 9 was speeding down the hill uncontrollably.
The runaway train came down the track and she blew,
The train was running wildly and the whistle was sounding.
Her whistle wide and her throttle back,
The train's throttle was at full power and the whistle was blown loudly.
The engineer said the train must halt and she blew,
The engineer tried to stop the train but failed, and the whistle was still sounding.
he said it was all the fireman's fault,
The engineer blamed the fireman for the accident.
The fireman said he rang the bell and she blew,
The fireman claimed he did his job by ringing the bell, but the whistle was still blowing.
the engineer said "You did like h***!"
The engineer accused the fireman of not doing enough to stop the train.
The porter got an awful fright and she blew,
The porter was scared and the whistle was still sounding.
he got so scared he near turned white,
The porter was so frightened that he looked pale.
The conductor said there'd be a wreck and she blew,
The conductor predicted a crash and the whistle was still wailing.
he felt the chills run up his neck,
The conductor felt scared and nervous.
The runaway train went over the hill and she blew,
The train ran off the track and the whistle was still blowing.
the last we heard she was going still,
The final rumour was that the train was still running after the crash.
Contributed by Lauren S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@stephenhayes797
Fantastic voice. I'm 62 and was raised listening to his voice. So sad to have died so young. The British Crosby!
@ZenaHerbert
This was the signature tune of Jack Train, a radio personality in the late 40s. My mother used to sing it to me and we did the 'actions'. A real friend of my early childhood. Thank you.
@ThePreacher1st
Yep! And my Dad sang with him on Clacton Pier before he became famous. It was my dad who taught him stage presence - which obviously worked. My Dad gave it up for my mother whom he loved very much - to only then lose her to some Scotsman later on. That, more or less, finished my Dad's bid for the top along with this man who were the best of pals back then.
@anthonyperrin3411
He lived his final years on the Willowhayne Estate in West Sussex. As a child I met him. Awesome. Tall man. Never forgot it. X.
@Iron2017
Love this. It's one of my earliest musical memories. He had a beautiful voice.
@susansantapola
fantastic blast from the past for me! born 1952.
@MikeBlitzMag
Michael Holliday was years ahead of his time. One of the most likeable and charismatic figures in all of music. He is greatly missed.
@steveellis9004
Guy Mitchell equally
@puppetaxe
The BBC's Children's Favourites on Saturday mornings, and other favourites: Little Sir Echo, Pink Tooth Brush...ah, what great memories!
@highmyope-ps2by
Bimbo, Bimbo, Sparky and his magic piano... what an age of innocence!