"Runaway Train" is a 1992 song performed by the Minneapolis rock band Soul Asylum and often erroneously attributed to Tom Petty.[citation needed] It is the song that led Soul Asylum to international status, and helped bring their album, Grave Dancers Union to a multi-platinum level.
The song was written by Soul Asylum's lead singer Dave Pirner. It was the third single off of the album (see Soul Asylum discography) and reached number three on the Billboard charts. It won a Grammy Award for the best rock song in 1994.
The song has become synonymous with the band, and has led many people to believe that it is the groups only hit, categorizing Soul Asylum as a one-hit wonder band. "Runaway Train" continues to receive a lot of airplay on the radio today. One of the things that many disc jockeys mention after the song is played is the influential music video that had accompanied the song.( ZT)
Soul Asylum -----> Runaway Train
Call you up in the middle of the night
Like a firefly without a light
You were there like a slow torch burning
I was a key that could use a little turning
So tired that I couldn't even sleep
So many secrets I couldn't keep
Promised myself I wouldn't weep
One more promise I couldn't keep
It seems no one can help me now
I'm in too deep
There's no way out
This time I have really led myself astray
CHORUS
Runaway train never going back
Wrong way on a one way track
Seems like I should be getting somewhere
Somehow I'm neither here no there
Can you help me remember how to smile
Make it somehow all seem worthwhile
How on earth did I get so jaded
Life's mystery seems so faded
I can go where no one else can go
I know what no one else knows
Here I am just drownin' in the rain
With a ticket for a runaway train
Everything is cut and dry
Day and night, earth and sky
Somehow I just don't believe it
CHORUS
Bought a ticket for a runaway train
Like a madman laughin' at the rain
Little out of touch, little insane
Just easier than dealing with the pain
Runaway train never comin' back
Runaway train tearin' up the track
Runaway train burnin' in my veins
Runaway but it always seems the same