The band signed with Capitol Records and scored a Top 20 hit with their first single, "Leona," in 1984. That success was quickly followed by their first #1 hit, "Step That Step". The band had their ups and downs on the charts throughout the 1980s. But radio success was not really Sawyer Brown's strong suit. It never was. Rather, they have been successful due to their live performances. Fans flock to the band's concerts year after year, whether the band performs in a stadium, state fair, or casino. The live shows, more than anything, sustained the band until 1989's remake of the George Jones hit "The Race Is On" put them back near the top of the charts.
In 1991, after the release of their album Buick, guitarist Bobby Randall left the group to remain close to his family and host a short-lived TV talent show, You Can Be A Star. Duncan Cameron, formerly of The Amazing Rhythm Aces, was chosen as his replacement just as Sawyer Brown was about to become country music's "it" band. The band then switched labels, moving to Curb Records and releasing the albums The Dirt Road, Cafe On The Corner, and Outskirts Of Town, which saw hit after hit for the band in the early to mid-'90s.
Sawyer Brown was all over country music radio and television for much of the decade. After 1999's Top 10 hit "Drive Me Wild," however, the country music industry seemed to forget about Sawyer Brown in favor of newer acts like Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, Toby Keith, Kenny Chesney, and Keith Urban.
The band was having ups and downs in the charts again – mostly downs. In 2003, they parted with Curb, their record label of eleven years, and signed with Lyric Street Records. They released one single, "I'll Be Around", and then left Lyric Street as well. In 2004, they re-signed with Curb, but Duncan Cameron decided to leave the group to pursue a life-long dream of flying for Southwest Airlines.
Guitarist Shayne Hill was added to the lineup as they prepared for the release of their 20th album, Mission Temple Fireworks Stand. While Sawyer Brown is still looking to reclaim the top of the charts, their live shows continue to keep the band going strong.
Locomotive
Sawyer Brown Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mine and I was thinkin' that she'd be all right,
That train has been around and now it finally crossed her
Mind and the midnight run was rollin' right on time
It was rollin', rollin' right on time.
It was a lo-loco motive,
Even if it were a bull she would have rode it
It was a lo-loco motive,
It would have been a car, could have been a plane,
Just so happened to be the midnight train
Those mighty wheels will rumble as they pass the hobo
Jungle and I bet he's wishin' now that he had stayed,
I never should have let her, guess i should have known her
Better and I would if it wasn't for that train.
If it wasn't, wasn't for that train.
It was a lo-loco motive,
Even if it were a bull she would have rode it.
To get out of here she didn't care.
It was a lo-loco motive,
It would have been a car, could have been a plane,
Just so happened to be the midnight train.
She never really left me, she just left that one horse town
She hit the track and she won't be back to stand on common ground
It was a lo-loco motive
Even if it were a bull she would have rode it.
It was a lo-loco motive,
It would have been a car, could have been a plane,
Just so happened to be the midnight train.
The song 'Locomotive' by Sawyer Brown is about a restless girl who is determined to leave her small town and pursue her dreams, even if it means taking a drastic step. The singer of the song - who is presumably the girl's partner - knows that she has the temerity to take chances, and has an independent spirit that simply cannot be tamed. He thinks she will be okay because of her rebellious streak. He goes on to describe the locomotive that will carry her away - a wild, crazy, and unstoppable force that symbolizes the girl's determination to leave at any cost. The midnight run is an apt descriptor as it suggests the daring and secretive nature of her departure.
Line by Line Meaning
A reckless heart was beatin' in that restless girl of mine and I was thinkin' that she'd be all right
My girlfriend had a wild heart and I thought she would be okay.
That train has been around and now it finally crossed her mind and the midnight run was rollin' right on time
The idea of leaving on a train had been on her mind and it was the right time for her to go.
It was a lo-loco motive, even if it were a bull she would have rode it. To get out of here she didn't care
She was determined to leave no matter what mode of transportation, even if it was a dangerous option.
It would have been a car, could have been a plane, just so happened to be the midnight train
She was ready to leave by any means necessary and the train just happened to be the best option.
Those mighty wheels will rumble as they pass the hobo jungle and I bet he's wishin' now that he had stayed
The train passing by the homeless area made someone regret their choice of staying put.
I never should have let her, guess I should have known her better and I would if it wasn't for that train
I regret letting her leave and realized I didn't know her as well as I thought I did, and the train made it impossible to stop her.
She never really left me, she just left that one horse town. She hit the track and she won't be back to stand on common ground
She didn't leave me, but she left the town and won't be coming back.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: MARK MILLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind