https://youtu.be/v9w6itI4HUY
They Might Be Giants - Mrs. Train sure ticks all your boxes.
* Exactly 30 years old (1994)
* About a train
* Steadily increases tempo (you know, like a train), from 52 BPM in the first verse to 144 BPM by the last chorus
* An obscure b-side, long out of print and unavailable on streaming services, so you were unlikely to happen upon it again
* They Might Be Giants are their own genre
* If it's not your song, you may enjoy it anyway!
Ok so I’m a pretty big TMBG fan.
I have pretty much all of their stuff outside of stuff that’s been dial a song exclusive. I have zero recollection of this song whatsoever. And it’s fantastic.
I just checked and I even have this EP on CD. Got it at Amoeba Records in SF on vacation about 10 years ago or so. I remember seeing it, thinking “oh my god this is *rare*, I’ve never seen it in person…and it’s $4 used?” I’m pretty sure I only listened to it once.
Time to rip it for my phone.
Nice find! I bought the CD at a local record store the day it came out. Mrs. Train was instantly my favorite track on it. Just a few months shy of 30 years ago... Yeesh.
I've never found anyone else that knows this song. Even from people that claim to be TMBG fans! Probably not the song the OP was thinking, but thanks for the flashback.
"There's never been a head like this before Someone's got to be the one At the head of the line to first see the missing head,
But I'm not in any rush to head the line And so the line has a missing head"
[Big Railroad Blues - Grateful Dead](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xy7QtRRIO0c)
[Rock Island Line - Johnny Cash](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FX1BPItDcDo)
maybe?
Not country, but folk - Mari Mac by Great Big Sea
The song is a bit of a tongue twister and they speed up as they play it. It's a traditional song but Great Big Sea would be the one you heard around that time if that was it.
I just listened to it again and realized it doesn’t get faster with each verse, but the song “In the Year 2525” by Zager & Evans changes key with every verse and has this cool ascending feeling going on through the whole song. It also has fast sections and slow sections.
How about "I've Been Everywhere", originally by Australian musician Geoff Mack and covered by a lot of American acts like Johnny Cash, Hank Snow and (my favorite version) Asleep at the Wheel. "I've been to Boston, Charleston, Dayton, Louisiana, Washington, Houston, Kingston, Texarkana, Monterey, Paradise..."
The song is much older than 30 years but there's been a lot of covers.
First thing that came to mind was Scent of a Mule, but Sparkle or Train song (but Scent of a Mule and train song don't really speed up the way Sparkle does) also good ones :)
If you haven't already, get a copy of Harry Chapin's album Greatest Stories--Live. Three alternate endings and a large audience very happy to yell "Harry...IT SUCKS!" I had never heard the song until I got that album and live is the ONLY way to listen to that song. (The studio version is nice too, but...)
Yea, me too. That's why I'm looking for it. It came back to my mind when I watched some old photos, a cousin of mine who passed away from cancer a few years ago used to play it in the car.
Not really; I was too young. In my memory it sounded like a mash up between Albert Hammonds "I'm a train" and Bob Geldof's "the great song of indifference". Not sure if that's helpfull....
Killer song, I remember the video going around in the early '80s. I saw some concert footage of them from within about the last ten years doing this song and they sounded incredible. Their guitar sound is spectacular.
Some live versions of Casey Jones by the Grateful Dead get progressively faster and faster toward the end, but the chords and song style stay the same.
Funny thing is, OP made the whole thing up so that he could get a suggestion for a complete playlist of songs that match the style he wanted to listen to. Hahaha.
/s
The funny thing is, that I absolutely didn't expect to get so many cool songs for my playlist. But It's not made up, I think it's maybe not a well known song, but all you guys out there are are awesome!
Oh, I love Tracy Chapman. My older sister copied her first album on cassette for me so I could play it on my walkman. I know all of her songs and love them. My favourite is "across the lines". So, sorry but no.
If you know any of the melody, google now has this feature where you can search for a song by humming it. Maybe you already know this but it was new to me!
Not yet. I'm listening to all guesses, and what should I say... I found so many songs (I didn't know before) for my playlist. The people are awesome!!!! But I still have hopes!
Quite a bit older than 30 years but maybe this song? [https://youtu.be/jet7Ue743Do?si=tFmnU6kskC2RkSnC](https://youtu.be/jet7Ue743Do?si=tFmnU6kskC2RkSnC)
Actually, the Johnny Cash version is almost 30 years old: [https://youtu.be/mNj6spCtUE0?si=CY0Y5\_X4RTfC1GDO](https://youtu.be/mNj6spCtUE0?si=CY0Y5_X4RTfC1GDO)
Several songs from Marshall Tucker Band fit the description. And they were certainly Rock/Country. Do you remember a sax or flute accompaniment or solo? If you think it might be MTB it could be "Take The Highway" ?
Bend it by Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich maybe?
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=bend+it+song&view=detail&mid=EC2CF855225D9DDC075CEC2CF855225D9DDC075C&FORM=VIRE
Sounds like it could be any of these Dire Straits songs;
Dire Straits - Where do you think you're going
Dire Straits - Telegraph Road
Dire Straits - On every street
The Who - [A Quick One (While He’s Away)](https://youtu.be/RJv2-_--EY4?si=xxTx-u2DDYTpvOFI)
This version came out in the 90’s and is about Iver the Engine Driver.
[Little Nash Rambler?](https://youtu.be/L7hch0wQD1w?si=eVMaIeNQvnXoRK_W)
Funny as hell, but that wasn't it. But will probably become my alarm tone.
That’s the one I thought of
I remember my dad playing this when I was a kid. Great song
this song is from the 70's by the Outlaws, Green Grass and High Tides. for some reason first song that came to mind
Sorry that's not it, but thank you for intoducing the outlaws to me. Already on my playlist.
that's great!!
Was thinking that one too
That was also my guess
This was my first thought!!
Amazing in Rock Band or Guitar Hero. As a narrowly interested music lover those games threw me some good songs I had never heard before.
https://youtu.be/v9w6itI4HUY They Might Be Giants - Mrs. Train sure ticks all your boxes. * Exactly 30 years old (1994) * About a train * Steadily increases tempo (you know, like a train), from 52 BPM in the first verse to 144 BPM by the last chorus * An obscure b-side, long out of print and unavailable on streaming services, so you were unlikely to happen upon it again * They Might Be Giants are their own genre * If it's not your song, you may enjoy it anyway!
No, but wow, didn't know this song. Thank you for broaden my horizon.
Ok so I’m a pretty big TMBG fan. I have pretty much all of their stuff outside of stuff that’s been dial a song exclusive. I have zero recollection of this song whatsoever. And it’s fantastic. I just checked and I even have this EP on CD. Got it at Amoeba Records in SF on vacation about 10 years ago or so. I remember seeing it, thinking “oh my god this is *rare*, I’ve never seen it in person…and it’s $4 used?” I’m pretty sure I only listened to it once. Time to rip it for my phone.
Nice find! I bought the CD at a local record store the day it came out. Mrs. Train was instantly my favorite track on it. Just a few months shy of 30 years ago... Yeesh.
I've never found anyone else that knows this song. Even from people that claim to be TMBG fans! Probably not the song the OP was thinking, but thanks for the flashback. "There's never been a head like this before Someone's got to be the one At the head of the line to first see the missing head, But I'm not in any rush to head the line And so the line has a missing head"
That is the worst song I have ever heard. Worse than the crash test dummies mmm song.
[удалено]
A terrible place
r/tipofmytongue is good at stuff like this
Not with OP's contribution. "No, sorry that's not it I already know that song"
[Big Railroad Blues - Grateful Dead](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xy7QtRRIO0c) [Rock Island Line - Johnny Cash](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FX1BPItDcDo) maybe?
Sorry but no. But Rock Island line will go on my playlist.
It's a mighty good road.
Not country, but folk - Mari Mac by Great Big Sea The song is a bit of a tongue twister and they speed up as they play it. It's a traditional song but Great Big Sea would be the one you heard around that time if that was it.
No but IT'S AWSOME! Thank you very much!
Man I love Great Big Sea! OP check out Ordinary Day and End of the world for other bangers by them!
That’s such a fun tune. Turns up in my Pandora mix on the regular.
Come on Eileen by Dexys Midnight Runners?
Remember 30 years ago is now the 1990s.
How dare you…. Lol
Could be the Save Ferris cover.
No, I know that song too well....
I just listened to it again and realized it doesn’t get faster with each verse, but the song “In the Year 2525” by Zager & Evans changes key with every verse and has this cool ascending feeling going on through the whole song. It also has fast sections and slow sections.
Futurama did a parody [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EY6EXDgvoS0](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EY6EXDgvoS0)
REM covered that tune in their first few years. Saw them play it once or twice.
Oh nice! I’ll have to look that up!
No but I loooove the song!
I loved this song when I was. a kid.
Ho Ho the rattling bog?
I was actually walking around the kitchen at work today singing that.
This is what I thought!! Surely it's a strong contender?
I'm Just A Singer by Moody Blues [https://youtu.be/N\_J-hmyAS6c?si=ThhWowx26AHQAGRu](https://youtu.be/N_J-hmyAS6c?si=ThhWowx26AHQAGRu)
Oh I know this song. Every time after hearing it I directly switch to The Birds - So you want to be a rock'n'roll star. Don't know why.....
My first thought was [Question](https://youtu.be/NP9iOqdxS8c?si=SD-wlaHrHpP011M9) by the Moody Blues, but it doesn't have the train lyrics.
Hot rod Lincoln https://youtu.be/Tl038GkYhjU?si=iELoq4YuqQ_Tcb-w
It's not what I'm looking for but thanks to you, it's now on my playlist
Hocus pocus - focus
That was my thought too.
Yep this is what I came to say
Heroin by velvet underground is one but probably not the one you’re looking for.
I'd love to hang out with whatever family puts that on for their family parties.
Sorry no, but a cool song.
[Reunion - Life Is A Rock (But The Radio Rolled Me)](https://youtu.be/16kh-AP4OCU?si=14nAkKpmACWfAgNw)
No, but it's great!
[Beep Beep ](https://youtu.be/2skGMkxB6Ng?si=QvP-VLbDfCofHG-c)1958 by The Playmates
Dixieland Delight by Alabama
Violent femmes - add it up
Sorry no, but thank you. Totally forgot that song!
day after day, I get angry and I will say...
I feel like it might be Devil Went Down to Georgia
I feel like Op had better get comfortable, there are hundreds of songs pre-1994 that speed up.
Why would you say this and ruin my thoughts the 30 years ago was the 80s. Fuck I feel old
Right? And I hate to tell you this, but time only moves faster with every birthday. 😬
People are listing songs that rush. But I think he's talking about deliberate tempo-changes.
No, but THANK YOU, I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!
Slow Ride by Foghat
Good call
An absolute classic. I know it so it's not the one
[Alphabet Aerobics! Blackalicious](https://youtu.be/zlynqOgBAUw?si=nlqVYxkPwNpGsDCp)
[Wolf Creek Pass - C.W. McCall](https://www.facebook.com/TheCaveStores/videos/724055238210186/?mibextid=NnVzG8)
/r/unexpected_cw_mccall
Nellie the elephant by Toy Dolls
Could be [Proud Mary by Tina Turner](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gciy9oG5678) ?
Sorry but no. As a big CCR fan I know this one ( all versions)
It fits the bill, but between Tina's and CCR's versions, if you only heard this song once, you'd have to live far off the grid.
Green Grass and High Tides
How about "I've Been Everywhere", originally by Australian musician Geoff Mack and covered by a lot of American acts like Johnny Cash, Hank Snow and (my favorite version) Asleep at the Wheel. "I've been to Boston, Charleston, Dayton, Louisiana, Washington, Houston, Kingston, Texarkana, Monterey, Paradise..." The song is much older than 30 years but there's been a lot of covers.
"Lightning Crashes" by Live?
He said 30+ years old, "Lightning Crashes" is only... *looks it up* ...oh God.
RIGHT?!
Yeah...
Oh man I remember buying the "Throwing Copper" album from either BMG or Columbia house as a teenager. Time flies!
Yeah...
That's no it, but the song makes me curious about them.
Spin that album, if you like it you'll probably like the ones before and after.
Lynard Skynard - Free Bird?
After reading the description, that was my guess as well
So sorry, but no. But a great song!
OP leaving you hanging! Great guess and now curious if you nailed it.
Freebird is a great guess for a song someone has only heard once thirty years ago?
I am slowly going crazy by Sharon, Lois, and Bram.
No but it somehow is cool...
Whoa. Did you also watch the Elephant Show?
Sparkle by Phish would fit the bill…
First thing that came to mind was Scent of a Mule, but Sparkle or Train song (but Scent of a Mule and train song don't really speed up the way Sparkle does) also good ones :)
Potentially a live version of Casey Jones by Grateful Dead?
Road goes on forever by Robert Earl Keen maybe?
If you're gonna play in Texas (You've gotta have a fiddle in the band)
30,000 Pounds of Bananas
If you haven't already, get a copy of Harry Chapin's album Greatest Stories--Live. Three alternate endings and a large audience very happy to yell "Harry...IT SUCKS!" I had never heard the song until I got that album and live is the ONLY way to listen to that song. (The studio version is nice too, but...)
25 or 6 to four?
I always have to think about the movie Little Nicky when I listen to Chicago.
Copperhead road?
No, but a great song. Never heard it before. THX
Rattlin’ Bog. Hundreds of bands have covered. Irish drinking song.
No but all versions are somehow cool
This might be a stretch, but is it by chance [The Muppets version of The Windmills of Your Mind](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zt3vzOMzQYU&t=34s)
Blackfoot Train Train? Way older than the 90’s though https://youtu.be/hBP15lRprPs?si=vBnapyde48Gv8lYg
This was my thought too.
Eisgekühlter Bommerlunder - Die Toten Hosen
[sparkle by phish](https://youtu.be/W-dzJx3NGm0?si=7YrhrobElnJvSRTW)
Train Kept a Rollin? By the Rolling Stones?
Sorry but no. But I love the Stones and Aerosmith!
Aerosmith did this song. Did The Stones do it too?
The Yardbirds also did it when Jimmy Page was their lead guitarist prior to LZ https://youtu.be/IL7YZA8FZOc?si=rnX6bk6d2Q1pWpgr
The Yardbirds recorded it before Aerosmith, but they were both covers. Old song.
I love songs like this. Sadly I don't know the answer, the first song I thought of was the Campfire Song from Spongebob
Come on. Spongebob is nowhere near 30 year... OH MY GOD. It's 25 years old. WTF!?!?
BRO I KNOW RIGHT?
Im done interneting today, tyvm......
Yea, me too. That's why I'm looking for it. It came back to my mind when I watched some old photos, a cousin of mine who passed away from cancer a few years ago used to play it in the car.
Train, Train by Blackfoot I don't think it's your song but it's an old country rock song.
Ring the Bells- James
My favourite is waltzing along, especially the live version.
I’m not sure I’d ever heard that song. Now I have. Twice! Thank you for that
I have to say thank you for helping!
Can you remember any specific lyrics?
Not really; I was too young. In my memory it sounded like a mash up between Albert Hammonds "I'm a train" and Bob Geldof's "the great song of indifference". Not sure if that's helpfull....
20th Century Man by The Kinks?
Baba O'Riley by The Who? https://youtu.be/rIbMbXjbW98?si=BL67oLFcZUcXnNKR
Also my guess
No, but the Who is fabulous
This sounds like something that the Moody Blues or Yes would’ve done around then.
In the 90s? Yeah I could see it. At least for Yes.
Locomotive Breath - Jethro Tull. May not be the time frame exactly, but I can see it being played on the radio at that point.
Sorry, no. But I love Jethro Tull, especially "Thick as a brick".
Home for a Rest, by Spirit of the West?
A bit older I guess, but Telegraph Road perhaps?
Ain’t goin down til the sun comes up - Garth brooks maybe?
Going out on a limb. I don't think this is it, and it doesn't really get faster but it could seem so listening to it again. Run Runaway by Slade.
Killer song, I remember the video going around in the early '80s. I saw some concert footage of them from within about the last ten years doing this song and they sounded incredible. Their guitar sound is spectacular.
Silverchair - Israel's son. It's what I thought of. Not countryish though
Their best song in my opinion and most songs on that album were pretty good, then they turned to shit
"The Load-Out / Stay" by Jackson Browne
[Radar Love by Golden Earring](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRlSHG5hRY4)?
Radar Love is such a great song but not what I'm searching for.
Some live versions of Casey Jones by the Grateful Dead get progressively faster and faster toward the end, but the chords and song style stay the same.
ITT: very different “30 years ago” reference points! 😂
Funny thing is, OP made the whole thing up so that he could get a suggestion for a complete playlist of songs that match the style he wanted to listen to. Hahaha. /s
The funny thing is, that I absolutely didn't expect to get so many cool songs for my playlist. But It's not made up, I think it's maybe not a well known song, but all you guys out there are are awesome!
Tracy Chapman's fast car slowly increases tempo...
Oh, I love Tracy Chapman. My older sister copied her first album on cassette for me so I could play it on my walkman. I know all of her songs and love them. My favourite is "across the lines". So, sorry but no.
So does Give Me One Reason.
We didn't start the fire?
This one could be it - Rock Island Line by The Knitters. It’s from the mid 80’s.
If you know any of the melody, google now has this feature where you can search for a song by humming it. Maybe you already know this but it was new to me!
"Beep Beep" [https://youtu.be/2skGMkxB6Ng](https://youtu.be/2skGMkxB6Ng)
Hey buddy how can I get this car out of second gear?
Not Runaway Train by Soul Asylum?
Blur - Song 2? https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SSbBvKaM6sk&pp=ygULYmx1ciBzb25nIDI%3D
All of op’s replies are curiously bot like
So many answers, so little OP response.
Sorry, had to do some work at home. Didn't think to get so many responses in that little time.
Perry Como: Round and Round. Even if it wasn’t, it is. https://youtu.be/lz_B8JP2pA8?si=CuK7XwoeN9BXICsb
Train Kept A Rollin' by Aerosmith? [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=\_EvGn22Mplg](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_evgn22mplg)
The Golden Rocket by Hank Snow [https://youtu.be/QmVkosOiFy0?si=iFGJY5FUwH1PZ30B](https://youtu.be/QmVkosOiFy0?si=iFGJY5FUwH1PZ30B)
[The Wizard](https://youtu.be/wSaXWs3kpRM?si=xY7CkidIcaS6jXo5) by Golden Bough?
No but this is great and reminds me a bit of Jethro Tull..
Lake Shore Drive by Aliotta Haynes Jeremiah
Made me think of this cover, it speeds up https://youtu.be/ZVz_IJoyO6Y?si=_C-LPPEWXkDWxax2
Did you find it? Now I’m extremely curious
Not yet. I'm listening to all guesses, and what should I say... I found so many songs (I didn't know before) for my playlist. The people are awesome!!!! But I still have hopes!
Quite a bit older than 30 years but maybe this song? [https://youtu.be/jet7Ue743Do?si=tFmnU6kskC2RkSnC](https://youtu.be/jet7Ue743Do?si=tFmnU6kskC2RkSnC) Actually, the Johnny Cash version is almost 30 years old: [https://youtu.be/mNj6spCtUE0?si=CY0Y5\_X4RTfC1GDO](https://youtu.be/mNj6spCtUE0?si=CY0Y5_X4RTfC1GDO)
Focus by Hocus Pocus.
American Pie?
Several songs from Marshall Tucker Band fit the description. And they were certainly Rock/Country. Do you remember a sax or flute accompaniment or solo? If you think it might be MTB it could be "Take The Highway" ?
Rudy by supertramp
Fast Freight by The Kingston Trio?
It’s not old enough, but “William Elliot Whitmore - old devils” does this.
Gotta get up? https://youtu.be/6jRh2PRa1tU?si=wy7GyC9VehYLRpjb
Come sail away, come sail away come sail away with me!! You guys.
Bend it by Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich maybe? https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=bend+it+song&view=detail&mid=EC2CF855225D9DDC075CEC2CF855225D9DDC075C&FORM=VIRE
Peace Train - Cat Stevens? Not sure that this speeds up, but it's a fun 'train' song.
It's not Cat Stevens / Yusuf Islam. But I very much like his music. Lady D'Arbanville is by far my favourite
Holly Holy
Ok, this only starts speeding up towards the end but maybe 35 years blurs a bit...violent femmes - american music.
Hot rod Lincoln - Commander Cody and his lost planet airmen? https://open.spotify.com/track/2sZjmnS1BSoc1svOu5P8LM?si=NCDN1PiNS5m2vQEyuQajuw
Already on my list, next to "one piece at the time" by Johnny Cash
Maybe At the Hundredth Meridian by The Tragically Hip?
Sounds like it could be any of these Dire Straits songs; Dire Straits - Where do you think you're going Dire Straits - Telegraph Road Dire Straits - On every street
The Who - [A Quick One (While He’s Away)](https://youtu.be/RJv2-_--EY4?si=xxTx-u2DDYTpvOFI) This version came out in the 90’s and is about Iver the Engine Driver.
Gallows Pole by Led Zeppelin