Blue Train (Johnny Cash song)

"Blue Train" is a song written by William H. Smith. Originally recorded by Johnny Cash for Sun in May 1958, it wasn't released until 1962,^[1] when Cash's long-time former label chose it as the opening track of his album All Aboard the Blue Train and for a single release.

"Blue Train"
Single by Johnny Cash
from the album All Aboard the Blue Train with Johnny Cash
B-side	"Born to Lose"
Released	1962
Recorded	1958
Label	Sun
Audio
"Blue Train" on YouTube

Composition

It is a catchy,^[2] bluesy song in the "love and unrequited" vein that predominated in the songs Johnny Cash did at Sun.^[3]

Reception

The single failed to chart. According to C. Eric Banister, the author of the book Johnny Cash FAQ, the song "deserved more recognition that it got".^[2]

Track listing

7" single (Sun 376, 1962)

1. "Blue Train" (2:01)
2. "Born to Lose" (2:08)^[4]

Covers

The song has been covered by a number of artists including Marty Stuart.^[1]

References

1. "Cover versions of Blue Train by Johnny Cash and The Tennessee Two". SecondHandSongs. Retrieved 2022-05-05.
2. Banister, C.E. (2014). Johnny Cash FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the Man in Black. Backbeat. p. 62. ISBN 978-1-61713-609-2. Retrieved 2023-11-19.
3. McLaurin, M.A.; Peterson, R.A. (1992). You Wrote My Life: Lyrical Themes in Country Music. Cultural perspectives on the American South. Gordon and Breach. p. 139. ISBN 978-2-88124-548-0. Retrieved 2023-11-19.
4. "Johnny Cash And The Tennessee Two - Blue Train / Born To Lose". Discogs. Retrieved 2023-11-19.