B-side "Without You" Format 7" single Label Warner Bros. | Released 1973 Length 3:25 Writer(s) Tom Johnston | |
"Long Train Runnin'" (or "Long Train Running") is a song recorded by The Doobie Brothers and written by band member Tom Johnston. It was included on the band's 1973 album The Captain and Me and released as a single, becoming a top 10 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 8.
Contents
It was covered by Italian band Traks in 1982 and then by English girl group Bananarama in 1991. In 1993 the Doobie Brothers version was remixed and charted again in several countries, including reaching number 7 in the UK Singles Chart.
The song is sometimes titled "Long Train Runnin' (Without Love)" due to the words "without love" being sung frequently during the song. The harmonica bridge is played by lead vocalist Tom Johnston.
Song's origin
The tune evolved from an untitled and mostly ad-libbed jam that the Doobies developed onstage years before it was finally recorded. 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.
Traks version
In 1982, Italian band Traks covered the song. This version charted in France and in Germany, where it peaked at no. 62 and no. 18, respectively.
Track listing
- "Long Train Runnin'" (short version) – 3:30
- "Drums Power" – 4:27
Bananarama version
Bananarama's version appeared on their fifth studio album Pop Life in 1991 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 song recorded to complete Pop Life and decided to go with a cover version.
Music video
Bananarama's music video features them dressed in black Spanish dresses eating at a decadent feast and performing the song on a large bed in a Spanish castle. Bananarama's then-manager Hilary Shaw appears on the feast scene.
Remixes
- "Long Train Running" (radio version) – 3:31
- "Long Train Running" (Alma De Noche Mix) – 6:40
- "Long Train Running" (Flamenco CD Mix) – 4:57
- "Outta Sight" – 4:30
- "Long Train Running" (Alma De Noche Mix) – 6:40
- "Long Train Running" (radio version) – 3:31
- "Long Train Running" (Pacha Mix) – 4:40
- "Outta Sight" - 4:30
- "Long Train Running" (Alma De Noche Mix) – 6:40
- "Long Train Running" (The Romany Dance Mix) – 5:13
- "Outta Sight" – 4:30