Raleigh NC Al… Read Full Bio ↴There are several bands with the name The Backsliders:
Raleigh NC Alt-country band:
The Backsliders are an alternative-traditional country-rock band composed of Chip Robinson, Steve Howell, Danny Kurtz, Jeff Dennis, and Brad Rice. Chip Robinson teamed up with Steve Howell to form The Backsliders, which began as a duo in 1991 in Athens, GA. The group formed in 1994, and disbanded in 1999. The band has since reunited in late 2012.
Dallas TX Powerpop band:
The Backsliders (often capitalized as THe BAcksliders) is a rock and roll band from Dallas, Texas. Their third and newest full-length album, "Thank You", is available for free download on their website, www.thebacksliders.com as of May 2009.
Touring from coast to coast in the U.S. and winning both "Best Hard Rock" award in 2008 and "Best Blues" in 2007 from the Dallas Observer Music Awards, THe BAcksliders are fronted by:
Kim Bonner (formerly of Polygram recording artist, Vibrolux)
Chris Bonner (Sons of Sound) on guitar
Jason Bonner (The Vain) on bass, and
Taylor Young (The O's, Young Heart Attack) on drums.
Australian delta-blues band:
The Backsliders are a three piece Australian band; self described as playing "Delta-blues wall of sound". The current line up (as of Dec. 2007) consists of Guitarist/Vocalist Dom Turner and drummer/percusionist Rob Hirst joined on alternating nights by either Brod Smith or Ian Collard on harmonica.
The Backsliders formed in 1986 in Sydney, Australia with Dom Turner on guitars, mandolin and vocals, Rex Hill on harmonica and Peter Burgess on washboard,drums, percusion and backing vocals.
In 1989 Hill was replaced by Jim Conway on harmonica. This line up of the band recorded several critically acclaimed albums including 1999's Poverty Deluxe which was nominated for an ARIA award in the Best Blues and Roots album category.
Last Train
The Backsliders Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm a rolling stone
I have no answers to the questions I have sewn
My constitution might seem a little down
But it will turn around
On the last train leaving town
I'm gonna ride it home
Guess I'll ride it alone
Them railroad people just around this bend
I look out my window
But it's more than I can stand
And my past rides with me
Like a shadow on my soul
Hey fireman - burn some coal
On the last train leaving town
I'm gonna ride it home
On the last train leaving town
Guess I'll ride it alone
Don't you cry for me
I'm not alone
These tracks and cinders
Well they're like my second home
The rhythm of the rails
As the black smoke falls behind
Sounds like the brakeman's lullaby
On the last train leaving town
I'm gonna ride it home
On the last train leaving town
Guess I'll ride it alone
The Backsliders's song Last Train has a poignant message about the journey of life and the inevitability of change. The opening line "Nothing's left to bother me" suggests that the singer has come to a point in his life where he has exhausted all possibilities and now must move on. He describes himself as a rolling stone, someone who is always moving and can't be tied down. He has many questions about his life, but he doesn't have any answers. Despite feeling down, he knows that things will turn around.
The singer then talks about the last train leaving town, which he is going to ride home. This is a metaphor for the end of a journey, perhaps signifying the end of his life. He is going to ride it alone, again emphasizing the idea that we all take this journey alone, despite others being with us along the way. He sees the railroad people just around the bend, and it's more than he can stand. This could suggest that he has to confront his past or face the consequences of his actions, which is a difficult and uncomfortable task. However, he knows that he has to keep moving, so he asks the fireman to burn some coal.
The final verse talks about the singer's relationship with the journey. He explains that these tracks and cinders are like his second home, suggesting that he has been on this journey for a long time. The rhythm of the rails as the black smoke falls behind sounds like the brakeman's lullaby. This could symbolize the end of his journey, a final lullaby before he reaches his destination.
Line by Line Meaning
Nothing's left to bother me
I have no worries or troubles anymore
I'm a rolling stone
I live a transient, unpredictable lifestyle
I have no answers to the questions I have sewn
I am uncertain and have no resolution for my doubts
My constitution might seem a little down
My emotional state may appear low or depressed
But it will turn around
I have faith that it will improve and get better
On the last train leaving town
I am taking the final mode of transportation out of here
I'm gonna ride it home
I am returning to the comforts of my familiar surroundings
Guess I'll ride it alone
I am traveling by myself with no companionship
Them railroad people just around this bend
The train personnel are nearby and approaching
I look out my window
I observe my surroundings from my seat
But it's more than I can stand
The scenery is overwhelming and too much for me to handle
And my past rides with me
My history and memories are accompanying me on this trip
Like a shadow on my soul
My past is a constant, dark lingering presence in my life
Hey fireman - burn some coal
I am requesting the train operator to increase the speed and progress of our journey
Don't you cry for me
I do not want anyone's sorrow or sympathy
I'm not alone
I am independent and self-sufficient
These tracks and cinders
The railroad path and debris accompany me
Well they're like my second home
I am accustomed to and comfortable with the environment of the train
The rhythm of the rails
The consistent beat and motion of the train tracks
As the black smoke falls behind
The exhaust and smoke are trailing our train
Sounds like the brakeman's lullaby
The noises of the train serve as a soothing lullaby for me
Contributed by Brooklyn Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.