Elvis Presley

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Train I ride, sixteen coaches long
Train I ride, sixteen coaches long
Well, that long black train got my baby and gone

[Verse 2]
Train train, coming 'round, 'round the bend
Train train, coming 'round the bend
Well, it took my baby, but it never will again
No, not again

[Verse 3]
Train train, coming down, down the line
Train train, coming down the line
Well, it's bringing my baby, 'cause she's mine all, all mine
She's mine, all, all mine

[Guitar Solo]

[Verse 2]
Train train, coming 'round, 'round the bend
'Round, 'round the bend
Train train, coming 'round, 'round the bend
'Round the bend
Well, it took my baby, but it never will again
Never will again
Ooh, whoa

Elvis Presley's version of "Mystery Train" is undoubtedly one of the most iconic and well-known train blues songs of all time. Originally recorded by Junior Parker in 1953, Presley's cover of the song features his distinctive singing style and rhythm guitar, while borrowing the stuttering lead guitar riff from Parker's "Love My Baby." With its driving rhythm and evocative lyrics, "Mystery Train" captures the feeling of a steam-driven locomotive hurtling down the tracks and has gone on to become a beloved classic of rock and roll.

About Mystery Train

First recorded by Junior Parker and his band, the Blue Flames, "Mystery Train" tells the story of a man on a train, traveling alone and feeling lonely. The song's lyrics describe the sound of the train wheels clacking on the tracks, the feeling of the train swaying back and forth, and the sensation of being carried to a new and unknown destination. Although the song's lyrics are sparse, they paint a vivid picture of both physical and emotional displacement.

Elvis Presley's cover of "Mystery Train" is notable for its use of intertextuality and appropriation of musical elements from other sources. The distinctive lead guitar riff that plays throughout the song was taken from another Junior Parker number, "Love My Baby," and its stuttering, jittering rhythm perfectly captures the feeling of an old steam-driven train hurtling down the tracks. This use of intertextuality and appropriation was a common practice in early rock and roll and helped to create a sense of shared musical heritage and cultural exchange.

Beyond its musical and lyrical qualities, "Mystery Train" is also notable for its cultural significance. The song has been covered by countless artists over the years and has become a touchstone for the American train blues tradition. In addition, the song has been featured in numerous films and television shows, cementing its status as an enduring classic of popular culture.

Part of the appeal of "Mystery Train" lies in its simplicity. The song's sparse, straightforward instrumentation and lyrics make it easy to sing along to and identify with, while its timeless themes of loneliness, displacement, and uncertainty continue to resonate with listeners of all ages. Whether listening to it on a train journey or simply as part of a playlist of classic rock and roll hits, "Mystery Train" remains a powerful and enduring reminder of the power of music to evoke both physical and emotional journeys.

Conclusion

With its driving rhythm, evocative lyrics, and iconic guitar riff, "Mystery Train" is an enduring classic of rock and roll and a beloved touchstone of the American train blues tradition. Its intertextual and appropriative use of musical elements from other sources speaks to the cultural exchange and shared musical heritage that were so essential to the early development of rock and roll. Whether listened to alone or as part of a larger cultural conversation, "Mystery Train" remains a powerful reminder of the power of music to evoke both physical and emotional journeys through time and space.

• Release Date: August 20, 1955
• Artist: Elvis Presley