Lopez made his name on the club circuit of the Southwestern United States before being 'discovered' in 1962 playing at the club PJ's in Hollywood, California, by record producer Don Costa. Costa was taken with Lopez's latinized versions of contemporary hits and signed him up to Frank Sinatra's record label, Reprise Records. His debut album, Trini Lopez Live at PJ's, was released in 1963. The album included a version of If I Had a Hammer, which reached number one in 36 countries (No. 3 in the United States) and was a radio favorite for many years. He also performed his own version of the traditional Mexican song La Bamba on the album; his recording of the tune was later re-issued as a single in 1966.
His popularity led the Gibson Guitar Corporation to ask him in 1964 to design a guitar for them. He ended up designing two: The Trini Lopez Standard, a rock and roll model based on the Gibson ES-335 semi-hollow body, and the Lopez Deluxe, a variation of a Gibson jazz guitar designed by Barney Kessel. Both of these guitars were in production from 1964 until 1971 and are now highly sought after amongst collectors. Some owners of the guitar include Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters and Noel Gallagher of Oasis.
He scored 13 chart singles through 1968, including "Lemon Tree" (1965), "I'm Comin' Home, Cindy" (1966) and "Sally Was a Good Old Girl" (1968). On the adult contemporary chart, he ranked up 15 hits, including the Top 10 singles "Michael" (1964), "Gonna Get Along Without Ya' Now" (1967) and "The Bramble Bush" (1967). Beyond his success on record, he became one of the country's top nightclub performers of that era, regularly headlining in Las Vegas, Nevada.
During the 1960s and 1970s Lopez moved into acting, though his film career was not as successful as his music. His first film role was in Marriage on the Rocks (1965), in which he made a cameo appearance in a nightclub scene; Lopez's soundtrack song, "Sinner Man", became a hit single (No. 54 pop/No. 12 adult contemporary). He was one of The Dirty Dozen (1967) and starred in Antonio (1973). He made two appearances (playing different characters) on the television program, Adam 12. He continued his musical career with extensive tours of Europe and Latin America during this period; an attempt to break out by releasing a disco album in 1978 proved a flop.
Since then, Lopez has done charitable work and received honors such as being inducted into the International Latin Music Hall of Fame in 2003. He was still recording and appearing live in the early 2000s. Recently he took part in a benefit concert to raise money for the victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.
This train
Trini Lopez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This train don't carry no gamblers, this train.
This train don't carry no gamblers,
No crap shooters, no midnight ramblers,
This train don't carry no gamblers, this train.
This train, don't carry no jokers, well, this train.
This train, don't carry no jokers, well, this train.
No high-tone women, no cigar smokers, well
This train, don't carry no jokers, well, this train.
This train, done carried my mother, well, this train.
This train, done carried my mother, well, this train.
This train, done carried my mother,
My mother, my father, my sister and my brother,
This train, done carried my mother, well this train.
This train, she's bound for glory, well, this train
This train, she's bound for glory, well, this train
This train, she's bound for glory, well, this train
This train, she's bound for glory,
If you want to get to heaven then you've got to be holy, well,
This train, she's bound for glory, well, this train
The lyrics of Trini Lopez's "This Train" depict a train that doesn't allow any gamblers, jokers, high-tone women or cigar smokers on board. The train is only meant for those who are heading towards heaven and are holy. The song symbolizes a journey towards a better place - towards righteousness, heaven, glory or a higher purpose. By stating what the train doesn't carry, the song implies that these vices or negative influences will not help in reaching that better place.
The last verse of the song reveals that the train has already carried the singer's family - mother, father, sister and brother. The train is therefore a metaphor for life, with its ups and downs, struggles and opportunities, and the different passengers that come and go in one's journey. Ultimately, the destination is one where only the pure and holy can reach - a place bound for glory.
Line by Line Meaning
This train don't carry no gamblers, this train.
This train does not allow any gamblers on board.
This train don't carry no gamblers, this train.
Gambling is strictly prohibited on this train.
This train don't carry no gamblers,
This train does not entertain any gamblers,
No crap shooters, no midnight ramblers,
No one is allowed to play any games of chance, nor indulge in any nighttime wanderings.
This train don't carry no gamblers, this train.
The train operator strictly enforces the no-gambling policy.
This train, don't carry no jokers, well, this train.
Only serious passengers are allowed on this train.
This train, don't carry no jokers, well, this train.
Jesters and pranksters are not welcomed on this train.
This train, don't carry no jokers,
This train does not permit anyone who might be inclined to horse around or play practical jokes.
No high-tone women, no cigar smokers, well
Also included in the list of banned passengers are the wealthy and the ones who smoke cigars.
This train, don't carry no jokers, well, this train.
Those looking for a lighthearted experience best avoid this train.
This train, done carried my mother, well, this train.
My family has trekked on this train before.
This train, done carried my mother, well, this train.
The train has transported my mother on one of her trips.
This train, done carried my mother,
One of the passengers who have taken this train was my mother.
My mother, my father, my sister and my brother,
My whole family has ridden this train.
This train, done carried my mother, well this train.
The train is a nostalgic symbol of my family's past journeys.
This train, she's bound for glory, well, this train.
This train is destined for something great.
This train, she's bound for glory, well, this train.
This train's purpose is noble and inspiring.
This train, she's bound for glory, well, this train.
This train is embarked on a spiritual journey.
If you want to get to heaven then you've got to be holy, well,
Passengers need to exhibit high morals and be virtuous.
This train, she's bound for glory, well, this train
This train is on a mission of enlightenment.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PETER SEEGER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MeryToste
Great Version... Unforgettable Brilliant TRINI LOPEZ 👏👏👏👏 Thanks So Much 👍👍
@MeryToste
r.i.p...TRINI LOPEZ🎸 Unforgettable Brilliant..Singer,Actor, Composer, GibsonTriniLopez 🎸🎸 Forever In My ❤️..15/5/1937...11/8/2020
@alvarojr.339
This is my dear idol singing a song from his album "The Folk Album" with his drummer Gene Riggio and his bassist Dave Shriver. This video is from "The Jack Benny Show" Amazing video!