Long Black Train (song)
Encyclopedia
"Long Black Train" is the title of a song written and recorded by American country music
singer Josh Turner
. It was released in May 2003 as the second single from his debut album of the same name
. Having spent more than thirty weeks on the Billboard
country charts, "Long Black Train" reached a peak of #13 in early 2004.
as a metaphor
, the lyrics tell of resisting temptation from the Devil
.
Turner told The Boot that the song was inspired by a vision that he had of a long, black train running down a track in the middle of nowhere. Turner said, "I could see people standing out to the sides of this track watching this train go by. As I was walking, experiencing this vision, I kept asking myself, 'What does this vision mean and what is this train?' It dawned on me that this train was a physical metaphor for temptation. These people are caught up in the decision of whether or not to go on this train" .
also described the song favorably: "It is a proudly religious song, almost fiery, defiant."
ful activities (such as binge drinking
, gambling
, prostitution
, etc.), and are shown on the train tracks as well.
The video was shot at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum and featured ex-Army Class 2-8-0 Consolidation #610 as the locomotive.
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
singer Josh Turner
Josh Turner
Joshua Otis "Josh" Turner is a country music singer and actor signed to MCA Nashville Records in 2003, Turner has released four studio albums for the label. The first of these was 2003's Long Black Train, whose title track was his breakthrough single release...
. It was released in May 2003 as the second single from his debut album of the same name
Long Black Train
Long Black Train is the debut album from American country music artist Josh Turner, released on October 14, 2003. It peaked at No. 29 on the U.S. Billboard 200, and peaked at No. 4 on the Top Country Albums. Overall, the album produced three chart singles for Turner on the Hot Country Songs charts:...
. Having spent more than thirty weeks on the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
country charts, "Long Black Train" reached a peak of #13 in early 2004.
Content
"Long Black Train" is a mid-tempo song, featuring acoustic guitar and fills from dobro guitar and fiddle. Using a funeral trainFuneral train
A funeral train is a train specially chartered in order to carry a coffin or coffins to a resting place. Funeral trains today are often reserved for leaders and national heroes, as part of a state funeral, but in the past were sometimes the chief means of transporting coffins and mourners to...
as a metaphor
Metaphor
A metaphor is a literary figure of speech that uses an image, story or tangible thing to represent a less tangible thing or some intangible quality or idea; e.g., "Her eyes were glistening jewels." Metaphor may also be used for any rhetorical figures of speech that achieve their effects via...
, the lyrics tell of resisting temptation from the Devil
Devil
The Devil is believed in many religions and cultures to be a powerful, supernatural entity that is the personification of evil and the enemy of God and humankind. The nature of the role varies greatly...
.
Turner told The Boot that the song was inspired by a vision that he had of a long, black train running down a track in the middle of nowhere. Turner said, "I could see people standing out to the sides of this track watching this train go by. As I was walking, experiencing this vision, I kept asking myself, 'What does this vision mean and what is this train?' It dawned on me that this train was a physical metaphor for temptation. These people are caught up in the decision of whether or not to go on this train" .
Critical reception
Steve Leggett of Allmusic said of the song, "sung in Turner's deep voice, it rolls across country radio like nothing else on the scene, the ominous breath of hellfire in the lyrics conjuring up the ghost of Johnny Cash." Hank Kalet of PopMattersPopMatters
PopMatters is an international webzine of cultural criticism that covers many aspects of popular culture. PopMatters publishes reviews, interviews, and detailed essays on most cultural products and expressions in areas such as music, television, films, books, video games, comics, sports, theater,...
also described the song favorably: "It is a proudly religious song, almost fiery, defiant."
Music video
The music video for this song was shot in a few different locations along a railroad track. The various shots of Turner include him walking through a tunnel, standing on the tracks singing, and from above while he is playing guitar. The video features various characters, all of who are participating in various sinSin
In religion, sin is the violation or deviation of an eternal divine law or standard. The term sin may also refer to the state of having committed such a violation. Christians believe the moral code of conduct is decreed by God In religion, sin (also called peccancy) is the violation or deviation...
ful activities (such as binge drinking
Binge drinking
Binge drinking or heavy episodic drinking is the modern epithet for drinking alcoholic beverages with the primary intention of becoming intoxicated by heavy consumption of alcohol over a short period of time. It is a kind of purposeful drinking style that is popular in several countries worldwide,...
, gambling
Gambling
Gambling is the wagering of money or something of material value on an event with an uncertain outcome with the primary intent of winning additional money and/or material goods...
, prostitution
Prostitution
Prostitution is the act or practice of providing sexual services to another person in return for payment. The person who receives payment for sexual services is called a prostitute and the person who receives such services is known by a multitude of terms, including a "john". Prostitution is one of...
, etc.), and are shown on the train tracks as well.
The video was shot at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum and featured ex-Army Class 2-8-0 Consolidation #610 as the locomotive.
Chart performance
"Long Black Train" debuted at #60 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks for the week of May 31, 203.| Chart (2003) | Peak position |
|---|