This Train Don't Stop There Anymore Explained

This Train Don't Stop There Anymore
Cover:EJThisTrain.jpg
Border:yes
Caption:UK CD Single No. 1 version
Type:single
Artist:Elton John
Album:Songs from the West Coast
B-Side:"Did Anybody Sleep With Joan of Arc"
Released:2001
Genre:Rock
Length:4:37
Label:Rocket, Mercury, Universal
Producer:Patrick Leonard
Prev Title:I Want Love
Prev Year:2001
Next Title:Original Sin
Next Year:2002

"This Train Don't Stop There Anymore" is the final track on Elton John's 2001 album Songs from the West Coast. Written by John and Bernie Taupin, the song's lyrics detail John's fame being over and his coming to terms with getting older but still keep touring and giving great performances around the world. It was released as the second single from the album and reached No. 24 in the UK Singles chart[1] and was a Top 10 Adult Contemporary chart hit in the US. The song was less successful in the Netherlands, reaching only at No. 83.[2]

The arrangement of the song was simple, a throwback to John's early piano-bass-drums combination prior to the arrival of guitarist Davey Johnstone to his band. John played this song and "American Triangle" on his concerts months before the album's release and at the Songs from the West Coast Tour in 2001–2002. After the tour ended, John performed this song on various locations until 2004.[3]

Music video

The music video, directed by David LaChapelle with Pierre Rouger as cinematographer, presents a younger John played by Justin Timberlake dressed in outfits typical of John in the 1970s;[4] the video also features Paul Reubens of Pee-Wee Herman fame as John Reid, John's manager of 25 years.

Personnel

Covers

Country music artists Rosanne Cash and Emmylou Harris covered the song for the 2018 tribute album .

Track listing

UK CD Single No. 1

  1. "This Train Don't Stop There Anymore" – 4:39
  2. "Did Anybody Sleep With Joan of Arc" – 4:18
  3. "I Want Love (Live)" – 4:34

UK CD Single No. 2

  1. "This Train Don't Stop There Anymore" – 4:39
  2. "American Triangle (Live)" – 4:35
  3. "Philadelphia Freedom (Live)" – 5:08

Alternative version

  1. "This Train Don't Stop There Anymore" – 4:39
  2. "Did Anybody Sleep With Joan of Arc" – 4:18
  3. "I Want Love (Live)" – 4:34
  4. "Philadelphia Freedom (Live)" – 5:08

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Elton John full Official Chart History Official Charts Company. 23 January 1971 . 2022-02-15. Official Charts Company.
  2. Web site: Elton John singles: Dutch Charts – dutchcharts.nl. 2022-02-15. dutchcharts.nl.
  3. Web site: This Train Don't Stop There Anymore by Elton John Song Statistics setlist.fm. 2022-01-13. www.setlist.fm.
  4. Web site: Elton John Songs From the West Coast Review . David . Quantick . 1 September 2010 . BBC . 25 June 2012.
  5. Web site: Elton John Lyrics: This Train Don't Stop There Anymore. 2022-02-15. eltonography.com.
  6. Web site: Tipparade-lijst van week 12, 2002. dutch. Dutch Top 40. 27 March 2023.