The song featured on the band's 1973 album The Captain and Me and was released as a single, becoming a top 10 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 8.
Apparently, the tune evolved from an untitled and mostly ad-libbed jam that the Doobies developed onstage years before it was finally recorded. Johnston later confessed. "...I just considered it a bar song without a lot of merit. Teddy [Templeman], on the other hand, thought it had some." Templeman, their record producer, convinced Johnston to write words to the tune.
Long Train Runnin'
The Doobie Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Half a mile from here
You see them long trains runnin'
And you watch them disappear
Without love
Where would you be now?
Without love
You know I saw Miss Lucy
Down along the tracks
She lost her home and her family
And she won't be coming back
Without love
Where would you be right now?
Without love
Well, the Illinois central
And the Southern Central Freight
Got to keep on pushin', mama
You know they're runnin' late
Without love
Where would you be now-na-na-now?
Without love
Well, the Illinois Central
And the Southern Central Freight
Got to keep on pushin' mama
'Cause you know they're runnin' late
Without love
Where would you be now?Without love
Well, pistons keep on churnin'
And the wheels go 'round and 'round
And the steel rails are cold and hard
On the mountains they go down
Without love
Where would you be right now?
Without love
Ooh, where would you be now?
Mmm, got to get you, baby, baby, won't you move it down?
Won't you move it down?
Baby, baby, baby, baby, won't you move it down?
When the big train run
When the train is movin' on
I got to keep on movin'
Keep on movin'
Won't you keep on movin'?
Gonna keep on movin'
The Doobie Brothers' song Long Train Runnin' is an upbeat and energetic track that captures the spirit of the blues and rock genres. The song features vivid images of long trains chugging along through cities and towns, with the singer watching them disappear into the distance. The opening verse sets the scene for the song, describing the trains running down around the corner, and the question posed "Without love, where would you be now?" suggests that the trains are symbolic of love, carrying people away from their current situations.
The second verse introduces Miss Lucy, who has lost her home and family and will not be returning. This verse highlights the transience and impermanence of life, with the trains moving on and people being left behind. The repetition of "Without love, where would you be right now?" reinforces the idea that love and connection with others are necessary to give life meaning and purpose.
The final verses focus on the Illinois Central and Southern Central Freight trains, which have to keep pushing forward even when they are running late. The repetition of "Got to keep on pushin' mama" suggests that perseverance and determination are key to success. The song ends with the singer urging the listener to keep moving and pushing forward in their own life.
Overall, Long Train Runnin' is a classic rock song that captures the energy and excitement of trains and the importance of love and perseverance in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Down around the corner, half a mile from here
At a nearby place, around the corner, probably walking distance
See them long trains run, and you watch them disappear
Observe the long trains running and notice how they disappear into the distance
Without love, where would you be now?
Love is necessary and without it, life would be incomplete
You know I saw miss Lucy down along the tracks
I saw Miss Lucy, perhaps homeless, wandering near the train tracks
She lost her home and her family and she won't be coming back
Miss Lucy has lost everything and is unable to return to her former life
Well the Illinois Central
Illinois Central is a transportation company
And the Southern Central Freight
Southern Central Freight is another transportation company
Got to keep on pushin' mama
These companies need to continue working hard to fulfill their obligations and maintain their schedules
You know they're running late
They are behind schedule
Without love, where would you be now-now-now-now?
Love is essential and imagining life without it is difficult
Well the pistons keep on turning
The train engine's parts continue to move and work correctly
And the wheels go round and round
The wheels on the train make a circular motion
And the steel rails are cold and hard
The tracks that the train runs on are made of steel and are cold to the touch
For the miles that they go down
The tracks stretch out for many miles
Without love, where would you be right now?
Lack of love makes life difficult and is important
Mmm, got to get you, baby, baby, won't you move it down?
An invitation to someone to come closer and dance with them
When the big train run
Referring to a metaphorical big thing, like an event or opportunity in life
When the train is movin' on, I got to keep on movin'
When the opportunity arises, you have to keep pushing forward and move along with it
Keep on movin'
Continuing to move forward and actively pursuing opportunities
Won't you keep on movin'?
Asking someone to keep moving forward and taking advantage of opportunities
Gonna keep on movin'
Personally committed to moving forward and taking advantage of opportunities
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Tom Johnston
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Weird Al Yankovich
on Daughters of the Sea (demo)
That isn't the demo version. It's the crappy studio version.