Glass founded the Philip Glass Ensemble, with which he still performs on keyboards. He has written numerous operas and musical theatre works, twelve symphonies, eleven concertos, eight string quartets and various other chamber music, and film scores. Three of his film scores have been nominated for Academy Awards.
Glass was born in Baltimore, Maryland, the son of Ida (née Gouline) and Benjamin Charles Glass. His family were Jewish emigrants from Lithuania. His father owned a record store and his mother was a librarian. In his memoir, Glass recalls that at the end of World War II his mother aided Jewish Holocaust survivors, inviting recent arrivals to America to stay at their home until they could find a job and a place to live. She developed a plan to help them learn English and develop skills so they could find work. His sister, Sheppie, would later do similar work as an active member of the International Rescue Committee.
Glass developed his appreciation of music from his father, discovering later his father's side of the family had many musicians. His cousin Cevia was a classical pianist, while others had been in vaudeville.
Glass has composed many film scores, starting with the orchestral score for Koyaanisqatsi (1982), and continuing with two biopics, Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters (1985, resulting in the String Quartet No. 3) and Kundun (1997) about the Dalai Lama, for which he received his first Academy Award nomination. In 1968 he composed and conducted the score for director Harrison Engle's minimalist comedy short, Railroaded, played by the Philip Glass Ensemble. This was one of his earliest film efforts.
The year after scoring Hamburger Hill (1987), Glass began a long collaboration with the filmmaker Errol Morris with his music for Morris's celebrated documentaries, including The Thin Blue Line (1988) and A Brief History of Time (1991). He continued composing for the Qatsi trilogy with the scores for Powaqqatsi (1988) and Naqoyqatsi (2002). In 1995 he composed the theme for Reggio's short independent film Evidence. He made a cameo appearance—briefly visible performing at the piano—in Peter Weir's The Truman Show (1998), which uses music from Powaqqatsi, Anima Mundi and Mishima, as well as three original tracks by Glass. In the 1990s, he also composed scores for Bent (1997) and the thriller Candyman (1992) and its sequel, Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh (1995), plus a film adaptation of Joseph Conrad's The Secret Agent (1996).
In 1999, he finished a new soundtrack for the 1931 film Dracula. The Hours (2002) earned him a second Academy Award nomination, and was followed by another Morris documentary, The Fog of War (2003). In the mid-2000s Glass provided the scores to films such as Secret Window (2004), Neverwas (2005), The Illusionist and Notes on a Scandal, garnering his third Academy Award nomination for the latter. Glass's most recent film scores include No Reservations (Glass makes a brief cameo in the film sitting at an outdoor café), Cassandra's Dream (2007), Les Regrets (2009), Mr Nice (2010), the Brazilian film Nosso Lar (2010) and Fantastic Four (2015, in collaboration with Marco Beltrami). In 2009, Glass composed original theme music for Transcendent Man, about the life and ideas of Ray Kurzweil by filmmaker Barry Ptolemy.
In the 2000s Glass's work from the 1980s again became known to wider public through various media. In 2005 his Concerto for Violin and Orchestra (1987) was featured in the surreal French thriller, La Moustache, providing a tone intentionally incongruous to the banality of the movie's plot. Metamorphosis: Metamorphosis One from Solo Piano (1989) was featured in the reimagined Battlestar Galactica in the episode "Valley of Darkness" and also in the final episode ("return 0") of Person of Interest. In 2008, Rockstar Games released Grand Theft Auto IV featuring Glass's "Pruit Igoe" (from Koyaanisqatsi). "Pruit Igoe" and "Prophecies" (also from Koyaanisqatsi) were used both in a trailer for Watchmen and in the film itself. Watchmen also included two other Glass pieces in the score: "Something She Has To Do" from The Hours and "Protest" from Satyagraha, act 2, scene 3. In 2013 Glass contributed a piano piece "Duet" to the Park Chan-wook film Stoker. In 2017 Glass scored the National Geographic Films documentary Jane (a documentary on the life of renowned British primatologist Jane Goodall).
Glass's music was featured in two award-winning films by Russian director Andrey Zvyagintsev, Elena (2011) and Leviathan (2014).
For television, Glass composed the theme for Night Stalker (2005).
Train 1
Philip Glass Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Into love
It could be some one that has been somewhere like them
It could be some like them
Tis one like into where that one has heen like them
Well, it could be be some like them
Those like into where like that into this
This one has been broken like into where
Like
Into like into
Like into where like that.
It could be be some of the lucky ones then
This has been like into where that the ones
That where that it could be some like them too
This one, the ones that it could be somewhere like them
It could be somewhere like
Let's see
Then, it could be somewhere like the one
It could be somewhere that it could be somewhere
That it could be somewhere
Like into that one has been lucky
The one it has like into where ever
The one it has like into where like into where like
Into
Where the singing of the love of them
This one has hen like into where the one it has
Like into what is of that
Is where that love was
It could be somewhere like them them
Them them them
It could say where by numbers this one has
Like into it
The one is you over all the all the all the
It could be some that it could be,
Could be so like that it is the one it could be the one
It was the ones like them
It could be some like them
That one
It could be some like them
It could be somewhere
The ones like them
You will
The ones are
The ones are
The ones are are
The ones are like
The ones are like into where the ones are the ones
The ones
The ones are like into this
The ones are like that
It
The ones are like
The ones are like
The ones are like them
The ones are like to the Crazy Eddies
Are the are the a million
The ones are like what you do Crazy Eddies
That could be some that is into it is like what is it
What is it
What is it
What is it
What is it
Yes, come to the self service
What is it that could have some like I into it
What is it
That is it
What is it
It could be some one like them
It could be some one like them
Like them
Like that
The ones are like that
This one is not like them
I could be cry like a baby I'll be there
It could be course of that has heen
The ones are like them them them them
Who
Them them them them them them them
The other ones, then, that has been
Like when it was the ones who prefer the ones
Are like them them them
These circles
The ones the th th th th th th th th th th th
You will
Crazy Eddies Crazy Eddies Crazy Eddies Crazy Eddies
Crazy Eddies
Goodbye Crazy Eddies
Crazy Eddies are the most ones
Like into a coat jacket
Are into like it has the has the ever
Ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever the
And that is the answer to your problem, handsome
Problem
Promise
The ones are like into this way
This always be
This
That it could be somewhere into where that it could be
Into some
Repeats —
The lyrics to Philip Glass's song Train 1 are an enigma. The repetition of phrases such as "it could be some like them" and "the ones are like" seem to suggest a search for identity or belonging. The phrase "like into where" also adds to the convoluted nature of the lyrics. It could be interpreted as a desire to fit in either with a group or with a particular way of life or experience. Furthermore, the mention of "Crazy Eddies" towards the end of the song adds an interesting layer to the interpretation. Crazy Eddies was a consumer electronics chain that went bankrupt in the late 1980s, perhaps suggesting a nostalgia for a time or era that is no longer attainable.
The lack of clear structure and coherence in the lyrics parallels the constant motion and repetition of a train. The sparse use of instrumentation in the song also contributes to the minimalist aesthetic that Glass is known for. The droning sound of the strings and woodwinds mimics the steady hum of a train's tracks. The overall effect is a disorienting but meditative experience.
Line by Line Meaning
This love could be some one
This feeling of love could be directed towards someone
Into love
It is directed towards the emotion of love
It could be some one that has been somewhere like them
The person it is directed towards could have had similar experiences to the singer
It could be some like them
The person it is directed towards could have similar characteristics to the singer
Tis one like into where that one has heen like them
It could be someone who has been in a similar situation as the singer
Well, it could be be some like them
It is possible for it to be directed towards someone who is similar to the singer
Those like into where like that into this
Similar situations and experiences are being compared
This one has been broken like into where
The subject matter is something that has been broken
But it could be some that it could be some like into
It is still possible for it to be directed towards someone who is similar to the singer
Like
Comparing characteristics and experiences
Into like into
Similarities are being compared
Like into where like that.
More situations and experiences are being compared
It could be be some of the lucky ones then
It is possible for it to be directed towards someone who was lucky
This has been like into where that the ones
Similar experiences are being referred to again
That where that it could be some like them too
It is possible for it to be directed towards someone similar to the singer again
This one, the ones that it could be somewhere like them
Another person similar to the singer is being referred to
It could be somewhere like
It is possible for it to be directed towards a familiar place or situation
Let's see
The singer is contemplating the possibilities
Then, it could be somewhere like the one
The singer is considering a specific location or situation
It could be somewhere that it could be somewhere
Another familiar location or situation is being considered
That it could be somewhere
The possibility of a familiar location or situation is being considered
Like into that one has been lucky
The possibility of it being directed towards someone lucky is being considered again
The one it has like into where ever
Another situation/experience is being compared to the feeling of love
The one it has like into where like into where like
More comparisons of situations and experiences
Into
Referring to similarity
Where the singing of the love of them
Referring to singing about love
This one has hen like into where the one it has
A similar experience is being referred to
Like into what is of that
Referring to another similar experience
Is where that love was
Referring to a location where love existed
It could be somewhere like them them
Referring to the possibility of it being directed towards multiple people who are similar to the singer
Them them them
Referring to multiple similar people
It could say where by numbers this one has
Referring to a quantitative comparison of similarities
Like into it
Referring to another similarity
The one is you over all the all the all the
Referring to a specific person who is superior in some way
It could be some that it could be,
Referring to the possibility of it being directed towards someone
Could be so like that it is the one it could be the one
Referring to the possibility of it being directed towards a specific person
It was the ones like them
Referring to similar people again
That one
Referring to a specific person
It could be somewhere
Referring to the possibility of a familiar location or situation
The ones are
Referring to similar people again
The ones are
Repetition of the previous line
The ones are are
Repetition of the previous line
The ones are like
Referring to similarities
The ones are like into where the ones are the ones
Referring to similarities of people and their experiences
The ones
Referring to similar people
The ones are like into this
Referring to similarities again
The ones are like that
Referring to similarities of people and their experiences again
It
Referring to something that has already been mentioned
The ones are like
Referring to similarities
The ones are like
Repetition of the previous line
The ones are like them
Referring to similar people again
The ones are like to the Crazy Eddies
Referring to a specific type of person or situation
Are the are the a million
Referring to the abundance of similar people or situations
The ones are like what you do Crazy Eddies
Referring to a specific action or behavior
That could be some that is into it is like what is it
Referring to the similarity of something that is being considered
What is it
Questioning the nature of something
What is it
Repetition of the previous line
What is it
Repetition of the previous line
What is it
Repetition of the previous line
Yes, come to the self service
An invitation to engage in an activity
What is it that could have some like I into it
Questioning the possibility of something being directed towards the singer
What is it
Repetition of the previous line
That is it
Confirming the nature of something
It could be some one like them
Referring to the possibility of it being directed towards someone similar to the singer
It could be some one like them
Repetition of the previous line
Like them
Referring to similar people
Like that
Referring to a previous comparison
The ones are like that
Referring to a previous comparison
This one is not like them
Referring to the dissimilarity of someone
I could be cry like a baby I'll be there
The singer is stating that they will be supportive even if the person is emotional
It could be course of that has heen
Referring to a course of action that has already taken place
The ones are like them them them them
Referring to similar people again
Who
Questioning the identity of someone
Them them them them them them them
Referring to similar people again
The other ones, then, that has been
Referring to a different group of people
Like when it was the ones who prefer the ones
Referring to a preference for similar people
Are like them them them
Repetition of previous comparisons
These circles
Referring to a pattern or cycle
The ones the th th th th th th th th th th th
Referring to similar people again
You will
Stating an outcome that will happen
Crazy Eddies Crazy Eddies Crazy Eddies Crazy Eddies
Referring to a specific person or situation again
Crazy Eddies
Repetition of the previous line
Goodbye Crazy Eddies
A farewell to a specific person or situation
Crazy Eddies are the most ones
Referring to a specific group of people
Like into a coat jacket
Making a comparison of similarities
Are into like it has the has the ever
Referring to similarities of situations and experiences
Ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever the
Emphasizing the repetition of similar situations and experiences
And that is the answer to your problem, handsome
A resolution to a problem is given
Problem
Referring to a problem
Promise
Referring to a commitment
The ones are like into this way
Referring to similarities again
This always be
Making a statement about something that will always be true
This
Referring to a singular item or circumstance
That it could be somewhere into where that it could be
Referring to the possibility of a familiar location or situation
Into some
Referring to a situation or circumstance
Contributed by Jake D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Karen Miller
Saw this at Lincoln Center back in the day. Could not believe what I was seeing or hearing. Was this a play? A film? An opera? Thought the top of my head had blown off. Absolutely fantastic. Then and now. My life has never been the same. Thank you Robert. Thank you Philip. Thank you Lucinda. Thank you Christopher.
Sandy No
An opera. Look up Akhanaten. Head blown off.
Karen Miller
@Sandy No I get your point. And agree. Akhanaten was and is completely amazing. (Played hooky from work and saw it twice) But Einstein was of a different ilk. It came out in the mid-70s when nothing and I mean nothing like it had been seen at Lincoln Center. It. Was. Riveting.
Lisa Di Mambro
I was told it went for many hours? I’ve used this to teach my students for experimental and physical theatre. I wish I had seen it live. The concept is amazing!!!
Jesu Spectre
You've been fooled by the very most simplistic staging of unexplained abstract stage elements and ostinato recordings. You need to get out more.
Lisa Di Mambro
@Jesu Spectre concept. Not staging. Not sound. You need to read more.
Skip Mendler
At the end of the performance, the PG Ensemble came into the stage for their bow. I swear there was an... aura ... about them ... as though spending several hours playing this music had started warping spacetime itself around them....
Al Rrenoir
Please go on
S S
This is a very interesting, collective expression of Einstein's brain under pressure during the time he was going through trial, combined with his leisure memories, and his talent for constantly thinking about physics :) It took me years to figure this out, and I could not figure it out simply listening to the soundtrack. Now I finally see it. It is as challenging to see as looking at a multi-dimensional painting by Picasso. But that is exactly what it is. :) Glass has done an absolutely shimmering job of exhibiting how a musician expresses in tonality the values and processes of a Physicist's mind constantly at work!
SystemsSecurityLLC
Thank you for this. Now it makes so much more sense as I was just introduced this morning to it.