Steve Miller (born 5 October 1943) is a blues and rock and roll guitarist and performer. He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin but attended high school in Dallas. While at St. Mark's School of Texas, he formed his first band, The Marksmen. Miller taught one of his classmates, Royce Boz Scaggs, a few guitar chords so that he could join the band; Scaggs became better known by his nickname, Boz. Miller attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison during the 1960s, where he formed The Ardells. Scaggs joined the Ardells the next year. Ben Sidran was added to the Ardells as a keyboardist the following year.
In 1968, Miller formed the Steve Miller Band, with Scaggs handling vocals, and released an album, Children of the Future, the first in a series of discs rooted solidly in the psychedelic blues style that dominated the San Francisco music scene at the time. Scaggs would leave the band after a couple of albums with vocal chores taken over by drummer Tim Davis; Miller himself would begin singing occasional lead on 1969's Brave New World. These albums performed respectably on the album charts but failed to yield a hit.
In the 1970's the band had some hits that became classics over the years - Jet Airliner, with some evocative lyrics that brought home the loss of life on the road; and The Joker which includes the famous line about the "pompatus of love", which is of course nonsense, but that didn't stop a lot of stoned folks from spending years talking amongst themselves.
Steve Miller's father was a wealthy doctor in Dallas, and friends with famous guitarist and guitar designer Les Paul. Les Paul gave Miller his first guitar lessons.
Longtime member Norton Buffalo (harmonica player) died from lung cancer on October 30, 2009.
John King (drummer during "The Joker" era) died after a short bout of kidney cancer on October 26, 2010.
Band-member James Cooke died from cancer on 16 May 2011.
Midnight Train
Steve Miller Band Lyrics
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Woooo oh oh oh oh ohh whoa
In the middle of the night
You're all alone, no one is in sight
You don't have to worry, don't you be sad
Cause I'm the best friend that you ever had
You know you really got nothin' to lose
Coming to you baby on a midnight train
I'll be knocking on your door, I'll be calling out your name
You don't need to worry, it'll be alright
Cause the midnight train is coming to ya by the morning light
Woooo oh oh oh oh ohh whoa
Woooo oh oh oh oh ohh whoa
Woooo oh oh oh oh ohh whoa
Woooo oh oh oh oh ohh whoa
When you're miles away and you're far from home
Don't you feel down, don't you feel alone
It doesn't matter what you're going through
Just remember I'll be there for you
You know you really got nothing to lose
Just pick up the phone and get rid of those blues
Coming to you baby on a midnight train
I'll be knocking on your door, I'll be calling out your name
You don't need to worry, it'll be alright
Cause the midnight train is coming to ya by the morning light
Woooo oh oh oh oh ohh whoa
Woooo oh oh oh oh ohh whoa
Woooo oh oh oh oh ohh whoa
Woooo oh oh oh oh ohh whoa
As time passes, passes us by
We're in the light for a blink of an eye
It ain't no lie, you know that it's true
Pick up the phone and I'll be there for you
You know you really got nothing to lose
Just pick up the phone and get rid of those blues
Coming to you baby on a midnight train
I'll be knocking on your door, I'll be calling out your name
You don't need to worry, it'll be alright
Cause the midnight train is coming to ya tonight
Coming to you baby on a midnight train
I'll be knocking on your door, I'll be calling out your name
Coming to you baby on a midnight train
I'll be knocking on your door, I'll be calling out your name
Coming to you baby on a midnight train
I'll be knocking on your door, I'll be calling out your name
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The lyrics to Steve Miller Band's song "Midnight Train" tell the story of someone who is feeling lonely and lost, but is reassured by a friend who promises to come to their rescue. The song starts by describing the feeling of being alone in the middle of the night, but the singer reassures the listener that they don't have to worry and he's the best friend they ever had. The chorus repeats the phrase "Coming to you baby on a midnight train" and promises to be there for them by the morning light.
The second verse continues with the theme of being far from home and feeling alone, but the singer reminds the listener that they are not alone and that he will be there for them. The chorus repeats again, offering the promise of salvation through the midnight train. The final verse talks about how quickly time passes and encourages the listener to pick up the phone and call for help. The song ends with multiple repetitions of the chorus, emphasizing the promise of the midnight train.
The lyrics of "Midnight Train" offer a message of hope and reassurance to anyone feeling lost or alone, promising that help is on the way in the form of a loyal friend. The imagery of the midnight train adds a sense of urgency to the song, as if the friend is riding in on a magical, mysterious train to rescue the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
Woooo oh oh oh oh ohh whoa
Introduction to the song with a vocalization of excitement
In the middle of the night
Describing the time in which the action of the song takes place
You're all alone, no one is in sight
Establishing the feeling of isolation for the listener
You don't have to worry, don't you be sad
Assuring the listener that things will be okay
Cause I'm the best friend that you ever had
Offering support and stating the singer's role in the situation
You know you really got nothin' to lose
Encouraging action with the promise that there is no risk involved
Just pick up the phone and get rid of those blues
Suggesting a possible course of action to improve the listener's mood
Coming to you baby on a midnight train
Announcing the singer's arrival to the listener
I'll be knocking on your door, I'll be calling out your name
Describing the singer's actions upon arrival
You don't need to worry, it'll be alright
Reiterating the message of reassurance from earlier
Cause the midnight train is coming to ya by the morning light
Clarifying the time frame of the singer's arrival
When you're miles away and you're far from home
Addressing a specific scenario that the listener may be experiencing
Don't you feel down, don't you feel alone
Offering emotional support to the listener
It doesn't matter what you're going through
Stating that the singer will be there regardless of the situation
Just remember I'll be there for you
Reiterating the message of support
As time passes, passes us by
Reflecting on the fleeting nature of time
We're in the light for a blink of an eye
Expanding on the idea of time passing quickly and the transience of life
It ain't no lie, you know that it's true
Asserting the truth of the previous statements
Pick up the phone and I'll be there for you
Restating the course of action suggested earlier
Coming to you baby on a midnight train
Repeating the announcement of the singer's arrival
I'll be knocking on your door, I'll be calling out your name
Repeating the description of the singer's actions upon arrival
Coming to you baby on a midnight train
Repeating the announcement of the singer's arrival
I'll be knocking on your door, I'll be calling out your name
Repeating the description of the singer's actions upon arrival
Coming to you baby on a midnight train
Repeating the announcement of the singer's arrival
I'll be knocking on your door, I'll be calling out your name
Repeating the description of the singer's actions upon arrival
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KENNY LEE LEWIS, CHRIS MCCARTY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind