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Long Train Runnin'

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"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

"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 third album, The Captain and Me (1973), and was released as a single by Warner Bros., becoming a hit and peaking at No. 8 on the US Billboard Hot 100.[6]

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.[7] 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."[8] Cash Box praised the Doobies' "fine harmony and musical prowess."[9] Record World said that the "pulsating rocker should take the honors in 1973."[10]

Ultimate Classic Rock critic Michael Gallucci rated "Long Train Runnin'" the Doobie Brothers' second-greatest song, especially praising the guitar riff.[7] 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.[11]

Personnel

Source:[1]

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[37] Gold 30,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[38] 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)[39] 62
West Germany (GfK)[40] 18

Bananarama version

"Long Train Running"
Single by Bananarama
from the album Pop Life
B-side"Outta Sight"
ReleasedApril 8, 1991 (1991-04-08)[41]
GenreDance-pop[42]
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),[42] 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."[43] Chuck Eddy from Entertainment Weekly said that "those techno-flamenco gods" help engineer the song "into a scary locomotive blues."[44] 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?"[45]

Music video

The Bananarama music video for "Long Train Running", directed by Nick Egan, features the group members dressed in Spanish gowns while attending a soirée with various guests at a castle.[46] 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)[47] 179
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[48] 47
Germany (GfK)[49] 45
Ireland (IRMA)[29] 18
Portugal (AFP)[50] 10
UK Singles (OCC)[51] 30
UK Dance (Music Week)[52] 57

References

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  2. ^ Stuyt, Chelsey (November 17, 2014). "The Doobie Brothers' 'Southbound' a Jukebox of Greatest Hits". Vancouver Weekly. Archived from the original on November 10, 2020. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  3. ^ a b Molanphy, Chris (July 31, 2021). "What a Fool Believes Edition". Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia (Podcast). Slate. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  4. ^ 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'".
  5. ^ Breithaupt, Don; Breithaupt, Jeff (October 15, 1996). "Dancing in the Moonlight: Seventies Pop". Precious and Few - Pop Music in the Early '70s. St. Martin's Griffin. p. 38. ISBN 031214704X.
  6. ^ a b "The Captain and Me – Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  7. ^ a b Gallucci, Michael (February 12, 2013). "Top 10 Doobie Brothers songs". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  8. ^ "Radio Action & Pick Singles" (PDF). Billboard. April 14, 1973. p. 54. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  9. ^ "Record Reviews > Picks of the Week" (PDF). Cash Box. Vol. XXXIV, no. 43. April 14, 1973. p. 20. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
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  11. ^ Graff, Gary (November 6, 2020). "The Doobie Brothers' 10 Best Songs: Staff Picks". Billboard. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
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  26. ^ "EHR Top 40" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 10, no. 23. June 5, 1993. p. 22. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  27. ^ 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.
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  29. ^ a b "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Long Train". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
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  31. ^ "The Airplay Chart" (PDF). Music Week. December 11, 1993. p. 26. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
  32. ^ "Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. November 27, 1993. p. 28. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  33. ^ "The RM Club Chart" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). November 13, 1993. p. 4. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  34. ^ "Top 100 Singles 1993". Music Week. January 15, 1994. p. 24.
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  41. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. April 6, 1991. p. 19.
  42. ^ a b Mason, Stewart. "Bananarama – Pop Life". AllMusic. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  43. ^ 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.
  44. ^ Eddy, Chuck (July 12, 1991). "Pop Life". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  45. ^ True, Everett (April 13, 1991). "Singles". Melody Maker. p. 34. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
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  47. ^ "Re: ARIA Charts Peak". June 17, 2014. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved September 19, 2015 – via Imgur.
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