This musical collective has historically had over 30 members, including former members of Dexys Midnight Runners. Usually one can expect to see about nine or ten members on-stage when they perform. The group is led by singer Jack Terricloth and guitarist Lucky Strano, who have been the most constant members throughout the group's history. Terricloth is known for his pointed commentary during shows: his monologues have touched on politics, his transformation from the "old school," and baiting of bouncers which usually end up with the band buying drinks for the whole staff.
Members have also played in Sticks and Stones, Guignol, The Hold Steady, Nanuchka, Kid Casanova, Anti-Social Music, Morning Glory, Planned Collapse, Star Fucking Hipsters, The Dresden Dolls, and have been guests on Mischief Brew, stellastarr*, Public Radio International and Leftöver Crack recordings, as well as having The Casualties, along with Paul Maroon of Jonathan Fire*Eater on guitar, make a guest appearance on the recording of "Our Candidate".
Their lyrics often concern historical and/or biographical subject matter, such as Weimar-era Germany, Peter Lorre, Jeffrey Lee Pierce of The Gun Club, Paul Robeson, Leni Riefenstahl, Dante Alighieri, Jonathan Fire*Eater and other personages deemed to be of historical significance. Other songs deal with the terrifying, exulting, magical, and awful aspects of life that "make it more than waking up and going to work every day". One notable composition is a three-song cycle about love and loss in a temporary autonomous zone which appears on the 2002 album Just the Best Party. The lyric pattern and subject matter of the song cycle are similar to The Wild Party.
Jack Terricloth died in May 2021, but the band continues to live on through the establishment of the Jack Terricloth Foundation, a not for profit organization dedicated to preserving Jack's legacy. In October 2023, the band's first posthumous album, Valhalla, Definitely, was released, a collection of previously unheard material refined by the current members of the Society.
Trains
The World/Inferno Friendship Society Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Join hands (join)
Start a love train, love train
People all over the world (all the world, now)
Join hands (love ride)
Start a love train (love ride), love train
The next stop that we make will be soon
Tell all the folks in Russia, and China, too
And let this train keep on riding, riding on through
Well, well
People all over the world (you don't need no money)
Join hands (come on)
Start a love train, love train (don't need no ticket, come on)
People all over the world (Join in, ride this train)
Join in (Ride this train, y'all)
Start a love train (Come on, train), love train
All of you brothers over in Africa
Tell all the folks in Egypt, and Israel, too
Please don't miss this train at the station
'Cause if you miss it, I feel sorry, sorry for you
Well
People all over the world (Sisters and brothers)
Join hands (join, come on)
Start a love train (ride this train, y'all), love train (Come on)
People all over the world (Don't need no tickets)
Join hands (come on, ride)
Start a love train, love train
Ride, let it ride
Let it ride
Let it ride
People, ain't no war
People all over the world (on this train)
Join in (ride the train)
Start a love train, love train (ride the train, y'all)
People all over the world (come on)
Join hands (you can ride or stand, yeah)
Start a love train, love train (makin' love)
People all over the world ('round the world, y'all)
Join hands (come on)
Start a love train, love train
The World/Inferno Friendship Society's song Trains is an upbeat and catchy song celebrating unity and spreading love. The lyrics urge people from all over the world to join hands, ride the "love train" together, and make the world a better place. The song is a call to action, inviting people to put aside their differences and come together in the name of love and peace. The repetition of the phrase "love train" throughout the song serves as a reminder of the message of the song and encourages people to keep spreading love wherever they go.
The lyrics of Trains were likely inspired by the many social and political movements of the 1960s and 70s, which sought to promote peace, love, and human rights. The song's message is as relevant today as it ever was, and the upbeat tempo and catchy melody make it an infectious and uplifting song that is sure to leave listeners feeling optimistic and hopeful.
Line by Line Meaning
People all over the world (everybody)
Everyone in the world
Join hands (join)
Hold hands together
Start a love train, love train
Spread love and unity among people around the world
People all over the world (all the world, now)
All people from every country and culture
Join hands (love ride)
Meet each other with love and compassion
Start a love train (love ride), love train
Promote love and positivity
The next stop that we make will be soon
The train will soon reach its destination
Tell all the folks in Russia, and China, too
Spread the message of love to people living in Russia and China
Don't you know that it's time to get on board
It's important to join the train of love now
And let this train keep on riding, riding on through
Let's keep the train of love going on and on
People all over the world (you don't need no money)
Everyone can join the train of love, regardless of wealth
Join hands (come on)
Join hands together in unity
Start a love train, love train (don't need no ticket, come on)
Love is free and accessible for everyone
People all over the world (Join in, ride this train)
Encourage people from all over the world to join the train of love
Join in (Ride this train, y'all)
Participate in spreading love and positivity
Start a love train (Come on, train), love train
Get on board the train of love
All of you brothers over in Africa
Addressing the people of Africa
Tell all the folks in Egypt, and Israel, too
Spreading love to people from Egypt and Israel
Please don't miss this train at the station
Don't miss the opportunity to spread love and joy
'Cause if you miss it, I feel sorry, sorry for you
Don't miss the train of love, or you'll regret it
People all over the world (Sisters and brothers)
Everyone around the world, regardless of race or gender
Join hands (join, come on)
Hold hands in unity and love
Start a love train (ride this train, y'all), love train (Come on)
Join the train of love and spread love and positivity
People all over the world (Don't need no tickets)
Participating in the train of love doesn't require any financial means
Join hands (come on, ride)
Hold hands and join the train of love
Start a love train, love train
Spread love and positivity to everyone
People, ain't no war
Stop the war and start spreading love
People all over the world (on this train)
Everyone can join the train of love
Join in (ride the train)
Participate and spread love on the train of love
Start a love train, love train (ride the train, y'all)
Spread love and positivity to everyone on the train of love
People all over the world (come on)
Encourage people from around the world to join the train of love
Join hands (you can ride or stand, yeah)
Whether you choose to stand or ride, hold hands and spread love
Start a love train, love train (makin' love)
Promote love and kindness to everyone
People all over the world ('round the world, y'all)
People from all parts of the world
Join hands (come on)
Hold hands and spread unity and love
Start a love train, love train
Promote love and positivity among everyone
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alex Torres
we will never run
into one another on trains
there will be no chance meetings,
we'll miss each other by minutes.
the habits and parties which brought us together
avoided, grown over, and left.
we will never run into one another on trains.
i wrote you a note saying i was leaving and left.
it's all yours or mine now
we might never meet again, you know-
it might just never happen.
we might never meet again, you know-
it might just never happen.
we will never run into one another on trains.
don't talk to ghosts
don't open the window for them
you don't slow your pace when you see them on the street
but if what they say about life after death being so sweet,
about how sweet, how sweet it is then missing you so...
I miss you so.
looks like i'm losing my famous sense of humor
older than i look, younger by far than i feel,
and i feel fine as wine, duty free, aged, clear, pure and concealed.
Miss, tell me your name and where I have been
and where we are where are we now?
we will never run into one another on trains.
but if we do will i be dressed for the occasion?
this thought haunts me dressing or undressing mornings, it does.
Things that we play at are not us, i have not forgotten.
we might never meet again, you know-
it might just never happen.
we might never meet again, you know-
it might just never happen.
we will never run into one another on trains.
we will never run into one another on
trains.
Jacob
This song always hit me hard, but it's hitting hardest today
Kevin Gowen
@Casey Hyde same
Hallie M. Cummins
Came back to say this
Rafael S Duarte
I was singing this one since yesterday, but avoiding listening...
Bobby Campbell
That's what I was just thinking..
doug kavendek
@Casey Hyde yeah I think I got one full second in and had to pause it
Rory O'Keeffe
They were just a great band. And he was their leader. Nothing more to be said.
Thank you, Jack. Have fun, man.
Mocityspirit
I have this song tabbed so that it plays whenever I open chrome. I wish this song could play in the background of my life and just mix with everything else I listen to. It's complete beauty.
Syntax Zombie
This is a hidden gem from them. I love their upbeat show songs, but their sad songs will always be my favorite.
Chris Berlin
the memories that I have to your music are not old but they are timeless to me, a part of my life that is gone with her, and now you are too.
Rest in trouble
I love you