Unveiling the Tale Behind the Catchy Tune: Rosanne Cash’s “My Baby Thinks He’s A Train”
In the vibrant realm of Western swing music, a spirited campaign once roared, proclaiming, “Western swing ain’t dead – it’s Asleep At The Wheel.” This declaration echoed around the release of Asleep At The Wheel’s tenth album, led by the indomitable Ray Benson. Since its inception in rural West Virginia back in 1970, the band has been on an exhilarating journey, captivating audiences far and wide. Despite their resounding success, they could only claim one Top Ten country hit – the 1975 gem, “The Letter That Johnny Walker Read,” co-authored by Ray Benson and Leroy Preston, an integral band member at the time.
Leroy Preston eventually parted ways with the group, but his songwriting prowess remained undiminished. He embarked on a new chapter by sending a demo tape brimming with his musical creations to the discerning ears of Rodney Crowell. Rodney, along with his talented wife Rosanne Cash, chose two songs from this tape to produce. “I Wonder,” drenched in nostalgia, found its place in Rosanne’s “Somewhere In The Stars” album in 1982. Meanwhile, Preston’s rockabilly masterpiece, “My Baby Thinks He’s A Train,” was an irresistible addition to the 1981 sensation, “Seven Year Ache.”
The pulsating rhythms of “My Baby Thinks He’s A Train” were punctuated by the fiery guitar artistry of Albert Lee. It was a track so heavily infused with Lee’s guitar magic that Rosanne Cash affectionately referred to it as “half Albert Lee’s record.” As Rosanne grappled with the song’s quirky nature and challenging octave jumps, she embarked on a vocal journey that would prove to be immensely daunting. In the midst of the second verse, the recording introduced the harmonious voices of Emmylou Harris and Rosemary Butler, adding an ethereal dimension to the song.
While “Seven Year Ache” was meticulously crafted in the studio corridors of Los Angeles, Rosanne and Rodney decided to make a significant life move in late 1981. They set their sights on Nashville, purchasing a charming log home nestled on an expansive 11-acre tract just south of the city. Their motivation was to create a nurturing environment for their three daughters, firmly believing that Middle Tennessee held more promise in that regard compared to the bustling streets of Southern California.
As “My Baby Thinks He’s A Train” soared in popularity, its songwriter, Leroy Preston, found himself trading the aisles of a hardware store for the limelight. By the time this infectious tune climbed to the coveted #1 spot on Billboard’s country singles chart on November 14, 1981, Leroy Preston had gracefully bid farewell to his hardware store gig, embracing the exhilarating ride of musical success.
Artist: Rosanne Cash
Album: Seven Year Ache
Released: 1981
Lyrics
It’s three a.m. in the morning
The train whistle is blowin’
It sounds like some lonesome song got in my soul, in my soul
My baby split the blanket he won’t be back no more
My baby thinks he’s a train
He makes his whistle stop, then he’s gone again
Sometimes it’s hard on a poor girl’s brain, a poor girl’s brain
I’m tellin’ you, boys, my baby thinks he’s a train.
Locomotion’s the way he moves.
He drags me ’round just like an old caboose
I’m tellin’ you, girls, that man’s insane
My baby thinks he’s a train
Choo, choo ain’t just some train sound
It’s the noise that you hear when my baby hits town
With his long hair flyin’, man, he’s hard to take
What you s’posed to do when your baby thinks he’s a train?
He eats money like a train eats coal
He burns it up and leaves you in the smoke
If you wanna catch a ride, you wait till he unwinds (he might unwind – spoken)
He’s just like a train, he always gives some tramp a ride
Locomotion’s the way he moves
He drags me ’round just like an old caboose
I’m tellin’ you, girls, that man’s insane
My baby thinks he’s a train
