'Soul Train' was also a single by the obscure mid-80s
Birmingham band
Swans Way, reaching number 20 in
1984. It was later included in their album '
The Fugitive Kind' and is the only thing that the group are remembered for. Later on they split, with two members going on to form a band called
Scarlet Fantastic.
It's a very strange song. Vocalist Robert Shaw (not the Robert Shaw) sounds like Bono, whilst the instrumental backing combines disco drums with jazzy saxophones with an orchestral string section, the end result sounding something like Michael Nyman. The strings were apparently the group's big defining gimmick.
The song appears to be a portrait of obsession; the vocalist gives the words everything he has, even thought they don't seem to mean anything. The chorus is memorably over-the-top, complete with an orchestral fanfare and vocalised 'Whoo-whoo' noises.
'Soul Train'
by
Swansway (Kahal/Jones/Shaw)
-
Words in (brackets) are sung as an 'echo' in the manner of Kraftwerk's 'Computer Love'.
It's midnight here
It's midnight here
soul train
Ha
It's midnight here on the soul train
Ha
It's midnight here I'm on the soul train
Don't wanna fly
(don't wanna fly)
try to walk in the rain
(try to walk in the rain)
don't wanna fly
(don't wanna fly)
try to communicate
(try to communicate)
And I try I try I try
(Whoo-hoo-ooo)
but I'm tired I'm tired I'm tired
(Whoo-hoo-ooo)
Ha
It's midnight here, I'm on the soul train
Ha
It's midnight here, I'm on the soul train
With all my mind
(with all my mind)
towards my aim
(towards my aim)
with all my mind
(with all my mind)
there's nothing I can change
(nothing I can change)
And I try I try I try
(Whoo-hoo-ooo)
and I'm tired I'm tired I'm tired
(Whoo-hoo-ooo)
(there is a seriously monged saxophone solo)
And I try I try I try
(Whoo-hoo-ooo)
and I cry I cry I cry
(Whoo-hoo-ooo)
(inaudible)
It's midnight here,
(it's midnight)
I'm on the soul train
(on the soul train)
It's midnight here
(it's midnight)
I'm on the soul train
(on the soul train)
I'm on the soul train
soul train
soul train
Whoooooo
I'm not strong enough
(soul train)
I'm not strong enough
(soul train)
I'm not strong enough
(soul train)
I'm not strong enough
(soul train)
I'm not strong enough
(soul train)
I'm not strong enough
(soul train)
I'm not strong enough
(soul train)
(soul train)
(soul train)
(soul train)
(soul train)