The band formed in Liverpool, England in 2001, taking their name from Magic Band guitarist Bill Harkleroad, better known as Zoot Horn (or "Zuton") Rollo. With all the members being Liverpudlian, this led to comparisions with The Coral, especially as both bands were signed to the same record label - Deltasonic - and had the same producer - Ian Broudie. Their debut album - Who Killed The Zutons? - was released on October 18th 2004, and reached number 9 in the UK album chart.
Line up
David McCabe on lead vocals and guitar Abi Harding on saxophone and vocals
Sean Payne on drums, percussion and vocals
Russell Pritchard on bass guitar and vocals
Railroad
The Zutons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll soon be back again
That's what I said in China
Where all the work was dead
I hope you get my letters
I'll write them every day
I'll soon be heading eastwards
I'm hammering the nails
I'm working on the railroad
I dig away the time
I'm singing to the work song
With memories in mind
I'll sail to Hong Kong harbor
The winds were warmer there
The sweat would roll down my back
While digging at the earth
While talking of you darling
I'd show your photograph
And point it over westwards
Way over past the tracks
I'm working on the railroad
I dig away the time
I'm singing to the work song
With memories in mind
I'm working on the railroad
I dig away the time
I'm singing to the work song
With memories in mind
Of you... of you, oh!
I've saved every penny, my girl
I hope that you have waited out there
For all my love when I get home
Cause deep down in my heart, there's a hole?
I've saved every penny, my girl
I hope that you have waited out there
For all my love when I get home
Cause deep down in my heart, there's a hole?
I've saved every penny, my girl
I hope that you have waited out there
For all my love when I get home
Cause deep down in my heart, there's a hole?
The Zutons's song "Railroad" is a melancholic tune that tells the story of an individual who has left their loved one behind to work on the railroad in China. The singer promises to return to their loved one, as they write letters every day and save up every penny. As they work on the railroad and dig away the time, they sing a work song, reminisce about memories of their loved one, and show their photograph to others. Despite their efforts, they carry a deep hole in their heart, that only their loved one's return could fill.
The lyrics of the song represent the struggle of many migrant workers who leave their homes to work in foreign countries, seeking better opportunities and trying to provide for their families. The song shows the longing and commitment that the singer feels towards their loved one, despite the distance and the hardships of the job.
Overall, "Railroad" is a reflective composition with a poignant message about love and sacrifice. The lyrics and melody combine to create a bittersweet sentiment that is both relatable and emotionally charged.
Line by Line Meaning
Although I've left you darling
Even though I have departed from you, my dear
I'll soon be back again
I will return in the near future
That's what I said in China
This is what I told people in China
Where all the work was dead
Where there was no work to be found
I hope you get my letters
I wish for you to receive my written correspondence
I'll write them every day
I will compose them on a daily basis
I'll soon be heading eastwards
I will soon travel in the direction of the east
I'm hammering the nails
I am securing things with nails
I'm working on the railroad
I am employed to construct railways
I dig away the time
I expend time toiling and digging
I'm singing to the work song
I am vocally offering a melody as I labor
With memories in mind
Thoughts of the past are ever-present
I'll sail to Hong Kong harbor
I will journey by sea to the harbor of Hong Kong
The winds were warmer there
The air currents were more temperate in that location
The sweat would roll down my back
My perspiration would stream down my spine
While digging at the earth
As I worked to unearth soil and rock
While talking of you darling
As I conversed about you, my love
I'd show your photograph
I would display an image of you
And point it over westwards
And indicate towards the direction of the west
Way over past the tracks
Far beyond the train rails
Of you... of you, oh!
Of you... of you, oh!
I've saved every penny, my girl
I have accumulated all of my earnings, my girl
I hope that you have waited out there
I hope that you have remained with the expectation of my return
For all my love when I get home
For all the love that I will bestow upon you upon my arrival
Cause deep down in my heart, there's a hole?
A void exists deep in my heart?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BOYAN CHOWDHURY, ABIGAIL HARDING, DAVID MCCABE, SEAN PAYNE, RUSSELL PRITCHARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dave Beach
Such a good love song. Sticks in my head still in 2020 years after I heard it when it was released. I would wish more people could hear this.
Antonia Cowan
Great song, really reflects how it feels to have your other half working away miles away from you
Mr Mee Seeks
That sucks
Chris
♥ Memories attached to this little tune. love it like I do the first day I heard it!
Felix Elliott
I just love The Zutons.
aegian48
Love this little gem of a track. Pun intended.
Oswald Kite
For some reason when my dog died I kept thinking about this song even though I hadn't heard it for years. So whenever I think about that dog, I play this song and get the feels.
Samantha Larner
The best love song ever written x
Mr Mee Seeks
First heard of these guys in High School Happy belated Birthday Gus ..
Bludarp
Implanted in my head since 2005