What started as two guys with strong voices and one guitar became San Francisco's Train by 1994. It was in late 1993 that Patrick Monahan left Erie, PA, and met up with the Los Angeles band, The Apostles. Lead singer/guitarist Rob Hotchkiss and fellow guitarist Jim Stafford had basically disbanded by this time, but the chance meeting with Patrick Monahan proved fortuitous, as Hotchkiss extended an invitation to the crooning Monahan to become a two-man band. After making exhaustive appearances in low-key coffeehouses, they decided to form a full band and enlisted former Apostles members Stafford and bassist Charlie Colin. Colin brought along his good friend, drummer Scott Underwood, and Train were on their way.
Train settled in San Francisco to develop their sound in a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere. In an unlikely scenario, executives from Columbia Records expressed an interest and, in a somewhat cooperative strategy, farmed the fledgling band out to the minors -- in this instance, Aware Records -- where they could grow naturally and unhurriedly. In 1997, they went on tour, opening for the likes of Blues Traveler, Barenaked Ladies, and Counting Crows. Train knew they had arrived when they sold out a performance at San Francisco's prestigious Fillmore venue. Their completed debut album was released the following year. Drops of Jupiter followed three years later, becoming a 2x Platinum hit on the back of its single of the same name. My Private Nation followed in 2003. Though the response was initially weak, the single "Get to Me" eventually caught fire, and Train had their latest Billboard chart hit. A holdover live album appeared in 2004 while the band returned to the studio to record My Private Nation's follow-up. The single "Cab" announced the band's return in late 2005, with the full-length For Me It's You following early the next year.
From November 2006, the band took a break from recording and touring to be with friends and family. Lead singer Pat Monahan released a solo album, Last of Seven, on September 18, 2007. The first single, "Her Eyes," was released in July.
On October 27, 2009, Train not only released proof that they were once again a band but also put their fifth studio album on the market, Save Me San Francisco. Dedicated to getting back to where they came from, the album revisited the roots rock sound that has made the band such a tour de force. The album is a tribute to the city that made them who they are today and pays homage to the city by the bay whom they owe so much.
The first single from Train's sixth studio album, "Drive By," was made available on iTunes on January 10, 2012, a week after Train played the halftime show at the 2012 Discover Orange Bowl in Miami. This upbeat pop/rock tune was the first song to be released from Train's sixth studio album. It was already familiar to some of their fans as the band had been performing the tune during their 2011 Summer Tour. Train's singles tend to gradually build momentum, but this song debuted at #60 on the Hot 100 in its first week as Triple A, hot AC, and pop radio all embraced the song with enthusiasm.
This album was followed by Bulletproof Picasso, Christmas in Tahoe, Train Does Led Zeppelin II, and A Girl, a Bottle, a Boat. Their album AM Gold was released on May 20, 2022.
http://savemesanfrancisco.com/
I AM
Train Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I never crashed in the desert or seen a rodeo
I don't know much about the world wars or Vietnam
I've yet to read about Uncle Tom
Never climbed a real rock or seen Colorado
Am I the son I think I am
Am I the friend I think I am
Am I the man I think I wanna be hey
I never listened to much Elvis
I can't remember a warm December
Am I the son I think I am
Am I the friend I think I am
Am I the man I think I wanna be hey
'Cause I'm here for my sanity sanity
I am here for you
I'm here for your fantasy sanity, I am here
I am
Am I the son I think I am
Am I the friend I think I am
Am I the man I think I wanna be
'Cause I'm here for my sanity sanity I am here for you
Whether or not I'm walkin' in
Whether or not I'm walkin' out
I'm always here for you
The lyrics to Train's song "I Am" reflect the universal idea of introspection and self-doubt. The singer opens up about the experiences he has missed in his life and starts questioning himself about who he really is. He has never been on a railroad or seen a rodeo, and he admits to not knowing much about significant events like world wars or Vietnam. He wonders if he is the son, friend, and man that he aspires to be.
The chorus reaffirms the singer's presence in someone else's life, perhaps a metaphor for his need to be needed by someone. The line "I'm here for your fantasy sanity" suggests that he is willing to offer comfort, even if it is just a fantasy for the other person. The song ends with the singer reminding the listener that he is always there for them, regardless of whether he is walking in or out of their life.
Overall, the song's theme can be interpreted as an individual's quest for self-discovery, raising questions about the experiences they may have missed out on and who they truly are. It also highlights the importance of being present for others and the value of human connections.
Line by Line Meaning
I never been on a railroad, as many times as they pass me by
Despite being near railroads multiple times, I've never actually traveled on one.
I never crashed in the desert or seen a rodeo
I've never been in an accident in the desert, nor have I ever witnessed a rodeo.
I don't know much about the world wars or Vietnam
I lack knowledge about the world wars and the Vietnam War.
I've yet to read about Uncle Tom
I haven't read the novel 'Uncle Tom's Cabin.'
Never climbed a real rock or seen Colorado
I've never climbed an actual rock or visited the state of Colorado.
Am I the son I think I am
I question if I am the type of son I wish to be.
Am I the friend I think I am
I wonder if I am truly the kind of friend I believe myself to be.
Am I the man I think I wanna be hey
I question if I am becoming the man I want to be.
I never had a day where money didn't get in my way
Money has always been an obstacle for me, and has never not been a problem in my day-to-day life.
I never listened to much Elvis
I haven't listened to a significant amount of music by Elvis Presley.
I can't remember a warm December
I can't recall a time when December was a warm month for me.
'Cause I'm here for my sanity sanity
I am present here to maintain my mental well-being.
I am here for you
I am here for the person listening to this song.
I'm here for your fantasy sanity, I am here
I am here to assist in fulfilling your fantasies, to aid in your mental stability.
Am I the son I think I am
Once again, I question if I am the ideal son I envision myself as.
Am I the friend I think I am
I continue to doubt if I am truly the friend I wish to be to those close to me.
Am I the man I think I wanna be
I still question if I am truly becoming the ideal man I aspire to be.
'Cause I'm here for my sanity sanity I am here for you
Reiterating that I am present to keep myself mentally stable and to support the listener in maintaining their own sanity.
Whether or not I'm walkin' in
Regardless of my current presence in someone's life,
Whether or not I'm walkin' out
Regardless of if I am leaving their life,
I'm always here for you
I will always be there to support and aid the listener, regardless of the circumstances.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PAT MONAHAN, ROBERT HOTCHKISS, ROBERT S HOTCHKISS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind