“Runaway Train” is a song by American rock band Soul Asylum. It was released in June 1993 as the fourth single from the album, Grave Dancers Union. The song led Soul Asylum to international status, and helped bring their album, Grave Dancers Union to a multi-platinum level. It was the third single off that album and reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100. The track won a Grammy Award for Best Rock Song in 1994. Soul Asylum is an American alternative rock band that formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1983. The band originally formed in 1981 under the name Loud Fast Rules, with the original line-up consisting of Dan Murphy, Dave Pirner, Karl Mueller and Pat Morley. The latter was replaced by Grant Young in 1984. The band recorded three albums with Twin/Tone Records and two with A&M Records to little commercial success. However, in 1992, they released the triple-platinum album Grave Dancers Union, featuring their Grammy Award-winning single “Runaway Train”. The band played the Bill Clinton inauguration early the next year. They also scored a platinum record with the album Let Your Dim Light Shine three years later. In 1998 they recorded Candy from a Stranger. Mueller was diagnosed with cancer in 2004, causing the band to organize a benefit concert on his behalf. Mueller died a year later. In 2006 they released The Silver Lining. Their most recent effort is entitled Delayed Reaction, which was released on July 17, 2012. Wikipedia®.
Soul Asylum – Runaway Train
The music video for “Runaway Train” featured photographs and names of missing children in a public service video style. At the end of the video, Dave Pirner, lead singer for Soul Asylum, appeared and said, “If you’ve seen one of these kids, or you are one of them, please call this number” before a missing children telephone helpline number appeared. The video was edited for use outside the US to include photos and names of missing children from the area the video was to be shown. The video was instrumental in reuniting several children with their families. Songfacts®.
Soul Asylum – Runaway Train Lyrics:
Call you up in the middle of the night.
like a firefly without a light.
you were there like a blowtorch burning.
i was a key that could use a little turning.
so tired that i couldn’t even sleep.
so many secrets i couldn’t keep.
promised myself i wouldn’t weep.
one more promise i couldn’t keep.
it seems no one can help me now.
i’m in too deep.
there’s no way out.
this time i have really lead myself astray.
runaway train, never goin’ back.
wrong way on a one-way track.
seems like i should be getting somewhere.
somehow i’m neither here nor there.
can you help me remember how to smile?
make it somehow all seem worthwhile.
how on earth did i get so jaded?
life’s mysteries seem so faded.
i can go where noone else can go.
i know what no one else knows.
here i am just drownin’ in the rain.
with a ticket for a runaway train.
and everything seems cut and dry.
day and night.
earth and sky.
somehow i just don’t believe it.
runaway train, never goin’ back.
wrong way on a one-way track.
seems like i should be getting somewhere.
somehow i’m neither here nor there.
bought a ticket for a runaway train.
like a madman laughing at the rain.
little out of touch, little insane.
it’s just easier than dealing with the pain.
runaway train, never goin’ back.
wrong way on a one-way track.
seems like i should be getting somewhere.
somehow i’m neither here nor there.
runaway train, never comin’ back.
runaway train, tearin’ up the track.
runaway train, burnin’ in my veins.
i run away but it always seems the same.