In the 1980s Russell made four albums credited to the Tom Russell Band. These featured Andrew Hardin and accordionist Fats Kaplin.
In the 1990s Russell made a number of solo albums, collaborated with blues singer Barrence Whitfield on two albums, and also recorded an acoustic album mixing original material with his favorite cowboy-themed songs. His albums include several guest appearances from other folk, country, and Americana artists, such as Chris Gaffney and Dave Alvin. His song "Outbound Plane", co-written with Nanci Griffith, became a Top Ten country hit for Suzy Bogguss. His most significant album from this period is the 1999 folk opera, The Man From God Knows Where.
His more recent albums include "Blood and Candle Smoke" (2009) and "Mesabi" (2011).
Nina Simone
Tom Russell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All across Mexico
Way down through the XXXXXXX
Where ever in hell you know
It was down in st XXXXXX
That I first heard the sound
Of Nina's voice on the juke box
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
And I was so lost down there
Out of love and walking alone
But walking beside me
Was Nina Simone
Tonight im my dressing room
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
On a plate of Spanish apples
Outside in the train yard
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Is just Hanks Williams sonnets
And Nina Simone
Yeah we've been to hell and back
Love cut us right down to the bone
But walking besides us
Is Nina Simone
I've driven your highways and back roads
I rode the grey dog
Through the snow and the xxxxxxxxxx
I've heard xxxxxxxxxxx
With a little raw saxaphone
But the dark xxxxxxxxxx
With Nina Simone
Yeah we've been to hell and back
Love cut us right down to the bone
But walking besides us
Was Nina Simone.
.........Trains used to run..
..........All across Mexico
The song “Nina Simone” by Tom Russell is a tribute to the legendary jazz singer and pianist, Nina Simone. The song starts with the singer reminiscing about his younger years, when trains used to run all across Mexico. He goes on to talk about the first time he heard Nina Simone’s voice on a jukebox in a small town in Mexico. He was lost and walking alone, but he felt as though Nina was walking beside him.
As the song progresses, the singer talks about how he and Nina have been through tough times, with love cutting them down to the bone. However, they have always had each other’s company, and Nina’s music has been a constant source of comfort and inspiration for him. He mentions that he has driven through highways and back roads, rode the Greyhound bus through snow and rain, and heard many different types of music, but nothing compares to the raw emotion in Nina Simone’s voice.
Line by Line Meaning
Trains used to run
In past times, trains were frequently in operation
All across Mexico
Trains used to operate throughout Mexico
Way down through the XXXXXXX
Train routes were extended to distant locations, including remote areas
Where ever in hell you know
Regardless of the extreme distances or difficult terrain, the trains would travel all the way there
It was down in st XXXXXX
At a certain place called 'st XXXXXX'...
That I first heard the sound
At that place, I first heard the sound
Of Nina's voice on the juke box
I heard the voice of Nina Simone on the jukebox
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
It was a remarkable experience
And I was so lost down there
At the time I felt completely detached from everything
Out of love and walking alone
I had lost my love and was walking around alone
But walking beside me
But in spirit, accompanying me
Was Nina Simone
Was Nina Simone
Tonight im my dressing room
Right now, I am in my dressing room
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I am feeling overwhelmed
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I'm on my own
On a plate of Spanish apples
A plate of Spanish apples is present
Outside in the train yard
In the train yard, outside the building
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The night is dark
Is just Hanks Williams sonnets
Only the poetry of Hank Williams can be heard
And Nina Simone
And the voice of Nina Simone
Yeah we've been to hell and back
Experienced and survived very difficult times
Love cut us right down to the bone
Love hurt us so deeply
But walking besides us
Although we felt alone, we had the impression
Is Nina Simone
That Nina Simone was walking besides us
I've driven your highways and back roads
I have traveled on your highways and back roads
I rode the grey dog
I rode the Greyhound bus
Through the snow and the xxxxxxxxxx
I traveled under difficult conditions
I've heard xxxxxxxxxxx
I have listened to various kinds of music
With a little raw saxaphone
It included a saxophone that was being played with no additional effects
But the dark xxxxxxxxxx
But when everything appeared hopeless and dark
With Nina Simone
I was comforted by the voice of Nina Simone
Yeah we've been to hell and back
Again, we experienced very difficult moments
Love cut us right down to the bone
Once more, love caused us deep pain and sorrow
But walking besides us
Again, we felt like someone was accompanying us
Was Nina Simone.
And that person was Nina Simone
Contributed by Hunter B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.