The band existed from 1967 to 1970, after which Chilton went on to lead the legendary Big Star.
The single "Neon Rainbow" was used in television adverts for the UK telecoms company, Talk Talk, in 2009/2010.
Trains & Boats & Planes
The Box Tops Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Are passing by,
They mean a trip
To Paris or Rome
For someone else
But not for me
The trains and the boats and planes
Took you away, away from me.
We were so in love,
And high above
We had a star
To wish upon, wish
And dreams come true,
But not for me
The trains and the boats and planes
Took you away, away from me.
You are from another part of the world
You had to go back home, but then
You said you would return again
I waited here like I promised to
I am waiting here but where are you
Trains and boats and planes
Took you away,
But every time I see them I pray
And if my pray
Can cross the sea,
The trains and the boats and planes
Will bring you back,
Back home to me...
Uouuuuuuuu
Mmmmmmhmmmmhmhhmmhmhmmm
The trains and the boats and planes
Will bring you back,
Back home to me..
The Box Tops' song "Trains & Boats & Planes" is a melancholic tune about being separated from a loved one. The title of the song refers to different modes of transportation that symbolize the distance between the singer and their lover. Trains, boats, and planes are vehicles that take people on trips to faraway places like Paris or Rome, but for the singer, they only represent how far away their love is. The lyric "They mean a trip to Paris or Rome for someone else, but not for me" emphasizes this sense of loss and longing.
The singer reminisces about the time when they were in love and "had a star to wish upon." The star represents hope and the promise of a bright future together. However, their dreams didn't come true, and the transportation methods they once associated with adventure and excitement only brought sorrow.
The song also touches on the theme of distance and how it affects relationships. The singer's lover is from another part of the world and had to go back home. They promised to return, but the singer is left waiting, unsure of when or if they will reunite. The repetition of the phrase "the trains and the boats and planes" emphasizes how these modes of transportation continue to remind the singer of their separation.
Overall, "Trains & Boats & Planes" is a poignant narrative of lost love, distance, and the longing for reunion. The Box Tops' emotive vocals capture the heartache and pain of separation, making it a timeless classic.
Line by Line Meaning
Trains and boats and planes
A list of transportation modes passing by.
Are passing by,
Passing by without stopping.
They mean a trip
They represent opportunities to take a trip.
To Paris or Rome
Some of the possible destinations for those taking a trip.
For someone else
Others are fortunate enough to be able to take these trips.
But not for me
The person singing is unable to take these trips.
The trains and the boats and planes
The same transportation modes mentioned at the beginning of the song.
Took you away, away from me.
The person being addressed was taken away from the singer by these transportation modes.
We were so in love,
The singer and the person being addressed were deeply in love.
And high above
They were on top of the world emotionally.
We had a star
Something to wish upon and dream about.
To wish upon, wish
To make a wish and hope that it comes true.
And dreams come true,
Dreams have the potential to come true.
You are from another part of the world
The person being addressed is from a different part of the world.
You had to go back home, but then
The person had to return home for some reason.
You said you would return again
The person being addressed promised to return at some point.
I waited here like I promised to
The singer waited for the person's return as promised.
I am waiting here but where are you
The person being addressed has not yet returned and the singer is wondering where they are.
But every time I see them I pray
Whenever the transportation modes are seen, the singer prays for the person's return.
And if my pray
The hope that the singer has in their prayer.
Can cross the sea,
If the prayer can be heard across the sea.
Will bring you back,
The hope that the transportation modes will bring the person back.
Uouuuuuuuu
A vocalization expressing emotion.
Mmmmmmhmmmmhmhhmmhmhmmm
Another vocalization expressing emotion.
The trains and the boats and planes
Repeating the transportation modes one more time.
Will bring you back,
The hope that the modes of transportation will bring the person back.
Back home to me..
The person will be returning to the singer's home.
Contributed by Kaylee G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@safetydave720
I first heard this song when I was homeless and my very soul was broken. Today I can listen with a slight smile. Lets all love and care for each other.
@anothertime1282
And I heard it when I was young and imagined I was in love. I'm sure we both smile ironically.
@BLACK.SABBATH
And I'm listening to this while I am homeless...
@user-vl9tm9ut7t
This song was performed in french- translated - by Renée Martel Montreal Quebec Canada. Big hit!💋🌺
@Doggieworld3Show
Now this is bangin
@CarlosSantos-me5wp
Lindas, lindas lembranças essa música me traz, nota 1000
@rosanicoleto2383
Que saudade dos anos 60....
@pitter417
Essa música me remete aos 16 anos. Quanta saudade.
@tubeadelic
MAN WE SURE LOVE AND ALREADY MISS ALEX......I looked up cool, and right there man was The Box Top's front man William Alexander Chilton's picture.....rest in peace my friend......maybe we can jam on the night shift when I get up there maestro.....two hearts are better than one.....BUT hey, we won't need old dusty hearts any ol' way..........just a little bit a soul baby.
@TimBurVlogs
Amen to that!