# ID song heard on WXRT in mid-80s **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 12, 2020, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-song-heard-on-wxrt-in-mid-80s/920415 "2020-09-12T11:06:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![alovem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@alovem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alovem)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2020, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-song-heard-on-wxrt-in-mid-80s/920415/1 "2020-09-12T11:06:36Z")
Hi Dopers. I’m trying to identify a song that I used to hear a lot in the early-to-mid 1980s on Chicago’s WXRT radio station. Details are vague, but maybe they’ll be enough for someone to remember. It’s an uptempo rocker with kind of a rockabilly vibe to it, a little like Johnny Burnette. The lyrics repeat “_This train_…” with a pause, or something similar like “_Big train_…” and I remember hearing “…_carries iron_…” and “…_carries steel_.” I think the singer stretches out “_This train_…” at a few points without any other accompanment than the drums. Male singer, maybe with others in the chorus, and he sounds a little like the guy in Depeche Mode. Anyone know it? ---
**Author:** ![Author\_Balk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Author\_Balk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Author_Balk)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2020, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-song-heard-on-wxrt-in-mid-80s/920415/2 "2020-09-12T11:36:01Z")
I don’t think this was on the radio but Big Train From Memphis by John Fogerty fits a lot of this. 1985. “Big train” stretched out with a pause, rockabilly. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2020, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-song-heard-on-wxrt-in-mid-80s/920415/3 "2020-09-12T15:08:21Z")
Probably not it either, but “Fast Train” by April Wine has the phrase “fast train” repeated a bunch of times (which sounds kind of like “this train”). [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/gyKZQmuAVR4/maxresdefault.jpg "April Wine - Fast Train") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyKZQmuAVR4) ---
**Author:** ![alovem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@alovem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alovem)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2020, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-song-heard-on-wxrt-in-mid-80s/920415/4 "2020-09-12T15:44:51Z")
**Author\_Balk** and **hogarth** , thanks, but those songs aren’t it. Wish I could remember more details. ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2020, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-song-heard-on-wxrt-in-mid-80s/920415/5 "2020-09-12T16:05:56Z")
[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/hBP15lRprPs/maxresdefault.jpg "Blackfoot - Train, Train") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBP15lRprPs) ---
**Author:** ![motu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/motu/32/259_2.png) [@motu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/motu)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2020, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-song-heard-on-wxrt-in-mid-80s/920415/6 "2020-09-12T16:49:15Z")
[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/NRtvqT_wMeY/maxresdefault.jpg "Soul Asylum - Runaway Train (Official HD Video)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRtvqT_wMeY) Wow, after watching that video I never heard it as a train of runaways. I always thought it was a runaway, “out of control” train ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2020, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-song-heard-on-wxrt-in-mid-80s/920415/7 "2020-09-12T17:01:19Z")
There is a very famous gorpel song called ‘This train’ and this has been covered by loads of artists. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/2JgsFA_9948/hqdefault.jpg "Ruby Turner - This train") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JgsFA_9948) ---
**Author:** ![alovem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@alovem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alovem)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2020, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-song-heard-on-wxrt-in-mid-80s/920415/8 "2020-09-12T17:33:00Z")
**mikecurtis** : No, that’s not it. One hell of a rockin’ tune, though! **motu** : Nope, not the one I’m looking for. **casdave** : That’s not it, either. I should have mentioned that I came across that one early on when searching for “this train,” and none of the versions I listened to are close enough for this song I’m looking for to be a version of that. The beat’s kind of similar, but that’s all. Thanks for the suggestions so far! ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2020, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-song-heard-on-wxrt-in-mid-80s/920415/9 "2020-09-12T17:37:08Z")
[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/KA8UxAnUwKI/maxresdefault.jpg "Jubilee Train") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KA8UxAnUwKI) ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2020, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-song-heard-on-wxrt-in-mid-80s/920415/10 "2020-09-12T18:38:12Z")
Have you tried contacting WXRT? I just had a quick look at their website, and it’s like nothing’s changed since 1984, other than dropping the daily featured artist. (Remember getting those cards every month?) Terri Hemmert, Marty Lennartz, Frank E (With A Period) Lee, and Johnny Mars are still there. _Someone_ should be able to recognize that song. ---
**Author:** ![alovem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@alovem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alovem)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2020, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-song-heard-on-wxrt-in-mid-80s/920415/11 "2020-09-12T19:09:21Z")
**madsircool** : The Blasters! That’s really close but I’m certain it’s not it (could be another song of theirs, though). I’m glad you suggested that because I came across one of their songs a few weeks ago and thought it sounded close, and then I forgot the name of the group! So thanks, but that’s not it. **gotpasswords** : That’s a good idea, but the website’s not accessible from where I am (Europe). Early on, I searched for “wxrt eighties playlist,” which turned up several years of their Saturday Morning Flashback program, but I couldn’t access the pages. There are some identically titled YouTube channels that I have been able to access (Flashbacks from 1982 to 1986), but nothing I’ve seen or heard fits the bill. ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2020, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-song-heard-on-wxrt-in-mid-80s/920415/12 "2020-09-12T19:14:17Z")
I’ve reached out to Lin Brehmer via Facebook. He was XRT’s music director at the time, so if anybody knows, it would be him. ---
**Author:** ![alovem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@alovem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alovem)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2020, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-song-heard-on-wxrt-in-mid-80s/920415/13 "2020-09-12T19:17:09Z")
**Wheelz** , thanks very much! That’s a thoughtful gesture. Once we identify the song, I hope it will be as good as I remember! ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2020, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-song-heard-on-wxrt-in-mid-80s/920415/14 "2020-09-12T23:23:35Z")
Didn’t realize you weren’t in the US. You might be able to contact them directly via Facebook: > **[93XRT](https://www.facebook.com/93XRT/)** > > 93XRT, Chicago, IL. 90,720 likes · 6,468 talking about this. 93XRT! Always live on the free Audacy app. > > Chicago's Finest Rock since 1972 - Listen Live at http://93XRT.com ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2020, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-song-heard-on-wxrt-in-mid-80s/920415/15 "2020-09-13T00:04:35Z")
Lin replied! He said he’s stumped and needs more lyrics. But he also suggested three possibilities: _Train Kept a-Rollin’_ by the Yardbirds _This Train Is Bound For Glory_ by Woody Guthrie _Ghost Train_ by The Stranglers Is it any of those, and can you remember any more lyrics? ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2020, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-song-heard-on-wxrt-in-mid-80s/920415/16 "2020-09-13T01:12:43Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > _This Train Is Bound For Glory_ by Woody Guthrie Or the Boss’s answer to Woody [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/__BORWT33p0/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCOADEOgC8quKqQMa8AEB-AH-BIAC4AOKAgwIABABGGMgZShAMA8=&rs=AOn4CLBlLfcqu0fUBafbRShxIM2NcKMClQ "Land Of Hope And Dreams - Bruce Springsteen (Wrecking Ball)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__BORWT33p0) ---
**Author:** ![alovem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@alovem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alovem)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2020, 8:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-song-heard-on-wxrt-in-mid-80s/920415/17 "2020-09-13T08:42:54Z")
**gotpasswords** : Thanks for the tip. That’d probably go somewhere if I remembered more about the song or could provide better clues. **Wheelz** : Those aren’t it, but I appreciate the suggestions. Can’t remember any more words, although I probably could have described what I do remember a little better in my first post. As I recall, it sounds like a recording made in the 80s, so there’s reverb, it’s more pop-rock than rockabilly and at least once the words “_this train_” (or something similar) are sustained (“_This traaaaaaain…_”), after which point the singer kind of whoops and hollers and then sings something about “_iron_” and “_steel_.” **mikecurtis** : No, that’s not it. But thanks for your input! I want to thank you all for trying to “scratch my itch.” I knew you’d give it a shot! As you can imagine, I’d rather not just call up WXRT and sing what I can remember of the song. They must get that a lot, and I don’t have enough to go on. I recall hearing the song alongside “Tenderness” by General Public, “Red Red Wine” by UB40 and others that were in rotation at the time. As I mentioned above, the sound of The Blasters is pretty close to what I remember, so I think I’ll have to go over their recordings. I’ll let you know if I find it! ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2020, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-song-heard-on-wxrt-in-mid-80s/920415/18 "2020-09-13T16:42:49Z")
It wouldn’t be “That Train Don’t Stop Here” by Los Lobos, would it? [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/fnaXvCUMNx4/maxresdefault.jpg "That Train Don't Stop Here") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnaXvCUMNx4) ---
**Author:** ![alovem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@alovem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alovem)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2020, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-song-heard-on-wxrt-in-mid-80s/920415/19 "2020-09-13T19:48:00Z")
**Wheelz** : Nah, that ain’t it, either. Nice tune, though! There’s more reverb in the mix (think Thompson Twins and most everything else from that time). I do appreciate the help as it’s been in the back of my brain for weeks now (and it’s a good song, as I recall). I’m starting to suspect that I’ve misheard “_this train_” and that it might be by The Blasters. I’ll have to see if I can listen to their recordings or at least have a look at the track titles. ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2020, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-song-heard-on-wxrt-in-mid-80s/920415/20 "2020-09-14T03:33:38Z")
[![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/sCsCGcclJYY/hqdefault.jpg "Johnny Burnette Rock'n'roll Trio - Lonesome Train (1956) - HD") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCsCGcclJYY) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-song-heard-on-wxrt-in-mid-80s/920415.md?page=2)