Long Train Runnin'

"Long Train Runnin'" (or "Long Train Running") is a song recorded by American rock band the Doobie Brothers and written by band member Tom Johnston. It was included on the band's 1973 album The Captain and Me and was released as a single, becoming a hit and peaking at No. 8 on the US Billboard Hot 100.[4]

"Long Train Runnin'"
Side A of US single
Single by The Doobie Brothers
from the album The Captain and Me
B-side"Without You"
Released1973
StudioWarner Bros. Studios, North Hollywood, California[1]
Genre
Length3:25
LabelWarner 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)
Official audio
"Long Train Runnin'" on YouTube

It was covered by the Italian band Traks in 1982, and then by the British girl group Bananarama in 1991. In 1993, the Doobie Brothers' version was remixed and charted again in several countries, including reaching No. 7 on the UK Singles Chart.

Origin

The tune evolved from an untitled and mostly ad-libbed jam that the Doobies developed onstage years before it was finally recorded.[5] 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 and also performs the harmonica solo.

Reception

Billboard described it as "good-timey, good-harmony AM cooker."[6] Cash Box praised the Doobies' "fine harmony and musical prowess."[7] Record World said that the "pulsating rocker should take the honors in 1973."[8]

Ultimate Classic Rock critic Michael Gallucci rated "Long Train Runnin'" the Doobie Brothers' second-greatest song, especially praising the guitar riff.[5] The staff of Billboard rated it as the Doobie Brothers' sixth-best song, noting how Johnston's and Patrick Simmons' "punchy guitars" contrast with "the jammy polyrhythms" in the bass and drums.[9]

Personnel

Source:[1]

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[32] Silver 200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Traks version
"Long Train Runnin'"
Single by Traks
from the album Long Train Runnin'
B-side"Drums Power"
Released1982
Length3:30
7:02 (Album version)
Label
Songwriter(s)Tom Johnston
Producer(s)Traks
Traks singles chronology
"Long Train Runnin'"
(1982)		 "Get Ready"
(1983)
Music video
"Long Train Running" on YouTube

In 1982, Italian band Traks covered the song. This version charted in France and in West 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)[33] 62
West Germany (Official German Charts)[34] 18

Bananarama version
"Long Train Running"
Single by Bananarama
from the album Pop Life
B-side"Outta Sight"
ReleasedApril 8, 1991 (1991-04-08)[35]
GenreDance-pop[36]
Length3:31
LabelLondon
Songwriter(s)Tom Johnston
Producer(s)Youth
Bananarama singles chronology
"Preacher Man"
(1990)		 "Long Train Running"
(1991)		 "Tripping on Your Love"
(1991)
Music video
"Long Train Running" on YouTube

English pop trio Bananarama's version of "Long Train Runnin'" appeared on their fifth studio album, Pop Life (1991),[36] 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 tune to complete Pop Life and decided to go with a cover. The song reached No. 10 in Portugal, No. 18 in Ireland and No. 30 in the UK.

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "Bananarama offers a pop/house version of the Doobie Brothers' classic rocker "Long Train Running". Produced by Youth, this first single from the forthcoming Pop Life album features guitar work from the Gipsy Kings, which provides a tough, rustic edge to an otherwise light and campy track. A fun one that could cross into radio territory."[37] Chuck Eddy from Entertainment Weekly said that "those techno-flamenco gods" help engineer the song "into a scary locomotive blues."[38] Everett True from Melody Maker commented, "They have a new single out. They've thought up a new, crap, out-of-time dance routine and they're gonna have another hit. All in all, Bananarama give this rather chaotic world a reassuring sense of order, don't they?"[39]

Music video

The Bananarama music video, directed by Nick Egan, features the group members dressed in Spanish gowns while attending a soirée with various guests at a castle.[40] Scenes at a decorated dining table alternate with shots from bedrooms.

Track listing
  • 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

Charts
Chart (1991) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[41] 179
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[42] 47
Germany (Official German Charts)[43] 45
Ireland (IRMA)[25] 18
Portugal (AFP)[44] 10
UK Singles (OCC)[45] 30
UK Dance (Music Week)[46] 57

References
  1. The Captain and Me (liner notes). The Doobie Brothers. Warner Bros. 1994. Retrieved August 16, 2016.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  2. Stuyt, Chelsey (November 17, 2014). "The Doobie Brothers' 'Southbound' a Jukebox of Greatest Hits". Vancouver Weekly. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  3. Breihan, Tom (July 3, 2019). "The Number Ones: The Doobie Brothers' "Black Water"". Stereogum. Retrieved June 22, 2023. They grew their fanbase...reaching the top 10 with 1973's percussive acoustic boogie jam "Long Train Runnin'".
  4. "The Captain and Me – Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  5. Gallucci, Michael (February 12, 2013). "Top 10 Doobie Brothers songs". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  6. "Radio Action & Pick Singles" (PDF). Billboard. April 14, 1973. p. 54. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  7. "Record Reviews > Picks of the Week" (PDF). Cash Box. Vol. XXXIV, no. 43. April 14, 1973. p. 20. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
  8. "Single Picks" (PDF). Record World. April 14, 1973. p. 8. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  9. Graff, Gary (November 6, 2020). "The Doobie Brothers' 10 Best Songs: Staff Picks". Billboard. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  10. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970-1992. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 92. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  11. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 4849." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  12. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 4840." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  13. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 20, 1973" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  14. "The Doobie Brothers – Long Train Runnin'" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  15. "flavour of new zealand – search listener". Flavour of New Zealand. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  16. "South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 - 1989 Acts (D)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  17. "Top 100 Singles of '73". RPM. Vol. 20, no. 20. Library and Archives Canada. December 29, 1973. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  18. "Top Pop Singles" (PDF). Billboard. December 29, 1973. p. TA-28. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  19. "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – Week Ending 17 Apr 1994". Retrieved March 3, 2016 – via Imgur.
  20. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  21. "The Doobie Brothers – Long Train Runnin' (Locomotive Remixes '93)" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  22. "European Dance Radio Top 25" (PDF). Music & Media. January 15, 1994. p. 21. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  23. Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Doobie Brothers". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 66. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  24. "The Doobie Brothers – Long Train Runnin'" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  25. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Long Train". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  26. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  27. "Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. November 27, 1993. p. 28. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  28. "The RM Club Chart" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). November 13, 1993. p. 4. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  29. "Top 100 Singles 1993". Music Week. January 15, 1994. p. 24.
  30. "The RM Club Chart 93" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental insert). December 25, 1993. p. 4. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  31. "The Doobie Brothers – Long Train Runnin'" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  32. "British single certifications – Doobie Brothers – Long Train Runnin". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 11, 2019.
  33. "InfoDisc : Tous les Titres par Artiste". InfoDisc (in French). Select "Traks" from the artist drop-down menu. Archived from the original on September 20, 2013. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  34. "Offiziellecharts.de – Traks – Long Train Runnin'" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  35. "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. April 6, 1991. p. 19.
  36. Mason, Stewart. "Bananarama – Pop Life". AllMusic. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  37. Flick, Larry (June 22, 1991). "Hi-NRG Awards Set; Waters Flowing; Princely Track" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 103, no. 25. p. 31. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
  38. Eddy, Chuck (July 12, 1991). "Pop Life". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  39. True, Everett (April 13, 1991). "Singles". Melody Maker. p. 34. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  40. "Bananarama: Long Train Running". IMDb. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  41. "Re: ARIA Charts Peak". June 17, 2014. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved September 19, 2015 – via Imgur.
  42. "Bananarama – Long Train Running" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  43. "Bananarama – Long Train Running" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  44. "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 28. July 13, 1991. p. 26. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  45. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  46. "Top 60 Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. April 27, 1991. p. 24. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
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