Downtown Train Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Outside another yellow moon
Punched a hole in the nighttime, yes
I climb through the window and down to the street
I'm shining like a new dime
The downtown trains are full
With all those Brooklyn girls
They try so hard to break out of their little worlds
[Verse 2]
You wave your hand and they scatter like crows
They have nothing that will ever capture your heart
They're just thorns without the rose
Be careful of them in the dark
Oh if I was the one, you chose to be your only one
Oh baby can't you hear me now?
Can't you hear me now?
[Chorus]
Will I see you tonight
On a downtown train?
Every night it's just the same
You leave me lonely, now
[Verse 3]
I know your window and I know it's late
I know your stairs and your doorway
I walk down your street and past your gate
I stand by the light at the four-way
You watch 'em as they fall
Oh baby, they all have heart attacks
They stay at the carnival
But they'll never win you back
Outside another yellow moon
Punched a hole in the nighttime, yes
I climb through the window and down to the street
I'm shining like a new dime
The downtown trains are full
With all those Brooklyn girls
They try so hard to break out of their little worlds
[Verse 2]
You wave your hand and they scatter like crows
They have nothing that will ever capture your heart
They're just thorns without the rose
Be careful of them in the dark
Oh if I was the one, you chose to be your only one
Oh baby can't you hear me now?
Can't you hear me now?
[Chorus]
Will I see you tonight
On a downtown train?
Every night it's just the same
You leave me lonely, now
[Verse 3]
I know your window and I know it's late
I know your stairs and your doorway
I walk down your street and past your gate
I stand by the light at the four-way
You watch 'em as they fall
Oh baby, they all have heart attacks
They stay at the carnival
But they'll never win you back
[Chorus]
Will I see you tonight
On a downtown train?
Every night, every night is just the same
Oh baby
Will I see you tonight
On a downtown train?
All of my dreams just fall like rain
Oh, baby, on a downtown train
[Guitar Solo]
[Chorus]
Will I see you tonight
On a downtown train?
Every night, every night is just the same
Oh baby
Will I see you tonight
On a downtown train?
All of my dreams just fall like rain
Oh, on a downtown train
Oh, on a downtown train
Oh, on a downtown train
Oh, on a downtown train
Downtown train
Will I see you tonight
On a downtown train?
Every night, every night is just the same
Oh baby
Will I see you tonight
On a downtown train?
All of my dreams just fall like rain
Oh, baby, on a downtown train
[Guitar Solo]
[Chorus]
Will I see you tonight
On a downtown train?
Every night, every night is just the same
Oh baby
Will I see you tonight
On a downtown train?
All of my dreams just fall like rain
Oh, on a downtown train
Oh, on a downtown train
Oh, on a downtown train
Oh, on a downtown train
Downtown train
About
Genius Annotation
Tom Waits' “Downtown Train” became a Grammy-winning #3 hit for Rod Stewart in 1989, and has also been covered by the likes of Mary Chapin Carpenter, Bob Seger and Everything But The Girl.
The Jean-Baptiste Mondino directed video for the song features former World Middleweight Champion Jake LaMotta, who was famously portrayed by Robert DeNiro in Raging Bull.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
- 2.Temptation
- 3.Clap Hands
- 5.Underground
- 11.Singapore
- 12.Shore Leave
- 17.November
- 18.Downtown Train
- 23.Time
Credits
Producer
Writer
Recording Engineer
Mixing Engineer
Vocals
Guitar
Assistant Recording Engineer
Mastering Engineer
Organ
Bass
Drums
Percussion
Recorded At
RCA Studios, NYC
Released on
September 30, 1985
Songs That Sample Downtown Train
Downtown Train Covers
Downtown Train by Wesley Schultz, Ruude Jolf by The Piano Has Been Drinking, Downtown Train by Courtney Marie Andrews, Downtown Train by Everything But The Girl, Downtown Train by Rentokill, Downtown Train (Tåget som går in till stan) by Moneybrother, Downtown Train by Patty Smyth, Downtown Train by Mary Chapin Carpenter, Downtown Train by Bob Seger, Downtown Train (Early Version) by Rod Stewart & Downtown Train by Rod Stewart
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