Long Train Runnin'

"Long Train Runnin'"
Single by The Doobie Brothers
from the album The Captain and Me
B-side "Without You"
Released 1973
Format 7" single
Studio Warner Bros. Studios, North Hollywood, California[1]
Length 3:25
Label Warner Bros.
Songwriter(s) Tom Johnston
Producer(s) Ted Templeman
The Doobie Brothers singles chronology
"Jesus Is Just Alright"
(1972)
"Long Train Runnin'"
(1973)
"China Grove"
(1973)

"Jesus Is Just Alright"
(1972)
"Long Train Runnin'"
(1973)
"China Grove"
(1973)

"Long Train Runnin'" (or "Long Train Running") is a song recorded by The Doobie Brothers and written by band member Tom Johnston. It was included on the band's 1973 album The Captain and Me and released as a single, becoming a top 10 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 8.

It was covered by Italian band Traks in 1982 and then by English girl group Bananarama in 1991. In 1993 the Doobie Brothers version was remixed and charted again in several countries, including reaching number 7 in the UK Singles Chart.

The song is sometimes titled "Long Train Runnin' (Without Love)" due to the words "without love" being sung frequently during the song. The harmonica solo is played by lead vocalist Tom Johnston.

Song's origin

The tune evolved from an untitled and mostly ad-libbed jam that the Doobies developed onstage years before it was finally recorded. Its working title, according to Johnston, was "Rosie Pig Moseley" and later "Osborn". "I didn't want to cut it," Johnston later confessed. "...I just considered it a bar song without a lot of merit. Teddy [Templeman], on the other hand, thought it had some." Templeman convinced Johnston to write words to the song.

Johnston performed the lead vocal and the rhythmic guitar strumming that propels the song.

Charts

Original release

Cover versions

Traks version

"Long Train Runnin'"
Single by Traks
from the album Long Train Runnin'
B-side "Drums Power"
Released 1982
Format
Length 3:30
Label
Songwriter(s) Tom Johnston
Producer(s) Traks
Traks singles chronology
"Long Train Runnin'"
(1982)
"Get Ready"
(1983)

"Long Train Running"
(1982)
"Get Ready"
(1983)

In 1982, Italian band Traks covered the song. This version charted in France and in Germany, where it peaked at no. 62 and no. 18, respectively.

Track listing

7" single Polydor 2040 365
  1. "Long Train Runnin'" (short version) – 3:30
  2. "Drums Power" – 4:27

Charts

Chart (1982) Peak
position
France (IFOP)[18] 62
Germany (Official German Charts)[19] 18

Bananarama version

"Long Train Running"
Single by Bananarama
from the album Pop Life
B-side "Outta Sight"
Released 1991
Format
  • 7" single
  • 10" picture disc
  • 12" single
  • CD single
Genre Dance-pop[20]
Length 3:31
Label London
Songwriter(s) Tom Johnston
Producer(s) Youth
Bananarama singles chronology
"Preacher Man"
(1990)
"Long Train Running"
(1991)
"Tripping on Your Love"
(1991)

"Preacher Man"
(1990)
"Long Train Running"
(1991)
"Tripping on Your Love"
(1991)
Music video
"Long Train Running" on YouTube

Bananarama's version appeared on their fifth studio album Pop Life in 1991[20] and was released as the album's third single in the UK. The group discovered the song when they were browsing through the record collection of Youth, producer of the Pop Life album. They needed one more song recorded to complete Pop Life and decided to go with a cover version. The song reached No. 10 in Portugal, No. 18 in Ireland and No. 30 in the UK.

Music video

Bananarama's music video features them dressed in black Spanish dresses eating at a decadent feast and performing the song on a large bed in a Spanish castle. Bananarama's then-manager Hilary Shaw appears on the feast scene. The video was directed by Nick Egan.

Charts

Chart (1991) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA Charts)[21] 179
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[22] 47
Germany (Official German Charts)[23] 45
Ireland (IRMA)[15] 18
Italy (FIMI)[24] 33
Portugal (AFP)[25] 10
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[26] 30

Remixes

UK CD single NANCD 24
  1. "Long Train Running" (radio version) – 3:31
    Remixed by Mark 'Spike' Stent
  2. "Long Train Running" (Alma De Noche Mix) – 6:40
    Remixed by Mark 'Spike' Stent
  3. "Long Train Running" (Flamenco CD Mix) – 4:57
  4. "Outta Sight" – 4:30
CD 1 single
  1. "Long Train Running" (Alma De Noche Mix) – 6:40
    Remixed by Mark 'Spike' Stent
  2. "Long Train Running" (radio version) – 3:31
  3. "Long Train Running" (Pacha Mix) – 4:40
    Remixed by Youth
  4. "Outta Sight" - 4:30
CD promo single
  1. "Long Train Running" (Alma De Noche Mix) – 6:40
    Remixed by Mark 'Spike' Stent
  2. "Long Train Running" (The Romany Dance Mix) – 5:13
    Remixed by Mark 'Spike' Stent
  3. "Outta Sight" – 4:30

References

  1. The Captain and Me (liner notes). The Doobie Brothers. Warner Bros. 1994. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
  2. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970-1992. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 92. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  3. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 4849." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  4. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 4840." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  5. "Offiziellecharts.de – The Doobie Brothers – Long Train Runnin'". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  6. "Nederlandse Top 40 – The Doobie Brothers - Long Train Runnin'" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  7. "Dutchcharts.nl – The Doobie Brothers – Long Train Runnin'" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  8. "flavour of new zealand – search listener". Flavour of New Zealand. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  9. "South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 - 1989 Acts (D)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  10. "The Captain and Me – Awards". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  11. "Top 100 Singles of '73". RPM. Vol. 20 no. 20. Library and Archives Canada. December 29, 1973. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  12. "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – Week Ending 17 Apr 1994". Imgur. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
  13. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  14. "Ultratop.be – The Doobie Brothers – Long Train Runnin' (Locomotive Remixes '93)" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  15. 1 2 "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Long Train". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  16. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  17. 1 2 "Lescharts.com – The Doobie Brothers – Long Train Runnin'" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  18. "InfoDisc : Tous les Titres par Artiste" (in French). InfoDisc. Select "Traks" from the artist drop-down menu. Archived from the original on September 20, 2013. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  19. "Offiziellecharts.de – Traks – Long Train Runnin'". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  20. 1 2 Mason, Stewart. "Bananarama – Pop Life". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  21. "Re: ARIA Charts Peak". Imgur. 17 June 2014. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  22. "Ultratop.be – Bananarama – Long Train Running" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  23. "Offiziellecharts.de – Bananarama – Long Train Running". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  24. "Indice per Interprete: B" (in Italian). Hit Parade Italia. Creative Commons. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  25. "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8 no. 28. July 13, 1991. p. 26. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  26. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
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