Long Train Runnin'

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1973 song recorded by the Doobie Brothers

title: "Long Train Runnin'" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1973-songs", "1973-singles", "1982-singles", "1991-singles", "bananarama-songs", "the-doobie-brothers-songs", "london-records-singles", "music-videos-directed-by-nick-egan", "music-week-number-one-dance-singles", "polydor-records-singles", "song-recordings-produced-by-ted-templeman", "songs-about-trains", "songs-written-by-tom-johnston-(musician)", "warner-records-singles"] description: "1973 song recorded by the Doobie Brothers" topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Train_Runnin'" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary 1973 song recorded by the Doobie Brothers ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox song"]

FieldValue
nameLong Train Runnin
imageLong Train Runnin' by Doobie Brothers US vinyl.png
captionSide A of US single
typesingle
artistthe Doobie Brothers
albumThe Captain and Me
B-sideWithout You
released1973
studioWarner Bros. Studios, North Hollywood, California
* Country rock{{cite webfirst
* Southern rock<ref name"Molanphy 2021"
* boogie rock<ref name"Molanphy 2021"/
* pop rock<ref name"Breithaupt 1996"
length3:27
labelWarner Bros.
writerTom Johnston
producerTed Templeman
prev_titleJesus Is Just Alright
prev_year1972
next_titleChina Grove
next_year1973
misc{{External music video
1[//www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVsLEI-hCXw "Long Train Runnin] on YouTube
headerOfficial audio}}
::

| name = Long Train Runnin | image = Long Train Runnin' by Doobie Brothers US vinyl.png | alt = | caption = Side A of US single | type = single | artist = the Doobie Brothers | album = The Captain and Me | B-side = Without You | released = 1973 | recorded = | studio = Warner Bros. Studios, North Hollywood, California | venue = | genre =

"Long Train Runnin" (or "Long Train Running") is a song recorded by American rock band the Doobie Brothers and written by band member Tom Johnston. It was included on the band's third album, The Captain and Me (1973), and was released as a single by Warner Bros., becoming a hit and peaking at No. 8 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

It was covered by the Italian band Traks in 1982, and then by the British girl group Bananarama in 1991. In 1993, the Doobie Brothers' version was remixed and charted again in several countries, including reaching No. 7 on the UK Singles Chart.

Origin

The tune evolved from an untitled and mostly ad-libbed jam that the Doobies developed onstage years before it was finally recorded. Its working title, according to Johnston, was "Rosie Pig Moseley" and later "Osborn". "I didn't want to cut it," Johnston later confessed. "...I just considered it a bar song without a lot of merit. Teddy [Templeman], on the other hand, thought it had some." Templeman convinced Johnston to write words to the song.

Johnston performed the lead vocal and the rhythmic guitar strumming that propels the song and also performs the harmonica solo.

Reception

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ac/The_Doobie_Brothers_performing_Long_Train_Runnin'_at_PNC_Bank_Arts_Center_in_2025.jpg" caption="The Doobie Brothers, led by writer Tom Johnston (center, at microphone stand), performing "Long Train Runnin'" in 2025"] ::

Billboard magazine described it as "good-timey, good-harmony AM cooker." Cash Box named it one of the Picks of the Week, praising the Doobies' "fine harmony and musical prowess." Record World said that the "pulsating rocker should take the honors in 1973." Upon the release of the 1993 remix, Charles Aaron from Spin wrote, "This early-'70s, blue-eyed R&B annoyance always had a hair-raising guitar break (copied by X on 'True Love Pt. #2'), and the raving remix recasts it as the sinuously funky friend you never knew you missed. The harp bite is a setup, along with traces of the proto-techno intro to Sweet's 'Fox on the Run'."

Ultimate Classic Rock critic Michael Gallucci rated "Long Train Runnin the Doobie Brothers' second-greatest song, especially praising the guitar riff. The staff of Billboard rated it as the Doobie Brothers' sixth-best song, noting how Johnston's and Patrick Simmons' "punchy guitars" contrast with "the jammy polyrhythms" in the bass and drums.

Personnel

Source:

Charts

Original release

Weekly charts

::data[format=table] | Chart (1973) | Peak position | |---|---| | Australia (Kent Music Report) | 58 | | New Zealand (Listener) | 15 | | South Africa (Springbok Radio) | 11 | | US Billboard Hot 100 | 8 | ::

Year-end charts

::data[format=table]

Chart (1973)Position
Canada Top Singles (RPM)85
US Billboard Year-End41
::

Remixes

Weekly charts

::data[format=table] | Chart (1993–1994) | Peak position | |---|---| | Australia (ARIA) | 67 | | Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) | 32 | | Europe (European Dance Radio) | 16 | | Europe (European Hit Radio) | 30 | | Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) | 15 | | UK Airplay (Music Week) | 3 | | UK Dance (Music Week) | 1 | | UK Club Chart (Music Week) | 6 | ::

Year-end charts

::data[format=table]

Chart (1993)Position
UK Singles (OCC)90
UK Club Chart (Music Week)52
::

Other reissues

::data[format=table] | Chart (2011) | Peak position | |---|---| ::

::data[format=table] | Chart (2013) | Peak position | |---|---| ::

Certifications

Traks version

| name = Long Train Runnin | cover = Traks - Long Train Runnin'.jpg | alt = | type = single | artist = Traks | album = Long Train Runnin' | B-side = Drums Power | released = 1982 | recorded = | studio = | genre = | length =

  • 3:30
  • 7:02 (album version) | label = | writer = Tom Johnston | producer = Traks | prev_title = | prev_year = | next_title = Get Ready | next_year = 1983 | misc =

In 1982, Italian band Traks covered the song. This version charted in France and in West Germany, where it peaked at No. 62 and No. 18, respectively.

Track listing

  • 7" single Polydor 2040 365
  1. "Long Train Runnin (short version) – 3:30
  2. "Drums Power" – 4:27

Charts

::data[format=table] | Chart (1982) | Peak position | |---|---| | France (IFOP) | 62 | ::

Bananarama version

| name = Long Train Running | cover = Bananarama - Long Train Running.jpg | alt = | type = single | artist = Bananarama | album = Pop Life | B-side = Outta Sight | released = | recorded = | studio = | genre = Dance-pop | length = 3:31 | label = London | writer = Tom Johnston | producer = Youth | prev_title = Preacher Man | prev_year = 1990 | next_title = Tripping on Your Love | next_year = 1991 | misc =

English pop trio Bananarama's version of "Long Train Runnin'" appeared on their fifth studio album, Pop Life (1991), and was released as the album's third single in the UK in April 1991 by London Records. The group discovered the song when they were browsing through the record collection of Youth, producer of the Pop Life album. They needed one more tune to complete Pop Life and decided to go with a cover. The song reached No. 6 in Israel, No. 10 in Portugal, No. 18 in Ireland and No. 30 in the UK.

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard magazine wrote, "Bananarama offers a pop/house version of the Doobie Brothers' classic rocker [...]. Produced by Youth, this first single from the forthcoming Pop Life album features guitar work from the Gipsy Kings, which provides a tough, rustic edge to an otherwise light and campy track. A fun one that could cross into radio territory." Chuck Eddy from Entertainment Weekly said that "those techno-flamenco gods" help engineer the song "into a scary locomotive blues." Everett True from Melody Maker commented, "They have a new single out. They've thought up a new, crap, out-of-time dance routine and they're gonna have another hit. All in all, Bananarama give this rather chaotic world a reassuring sense of order, don't they?"

Music video

The Bananarama music video for "Long Train Running", directed by British visual design artist and director Nick Egan, features the group members dressed in Spanish gowns while attending a soirée with various guests at a castle. Scenes at a decorated dining table alternate with shots from bedrooms.

Track listing

  • UK CD single NANCD 24
  1. "Long Train Running" (radio version) – 3:31
  2. :Remixed by Mark 'Spike' Stent
  3. "Long Train Running" (Alma De Noche Mix) – 6:40
  4. :Remixed by Mark 'Spike' Stent
  5. "Long Train Running" (Flamenco CD Mix) – 4:57
  6. "Outta Sight" – 4:30

Charts

::data[format=table title="Weekly chart performance for "Long Train Runnin'""] | Chart (1991) | Peak position | |---|---| | Australia (ARIA) | 179 | | Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) | 64 | | Europe (European Airplay Top 50) | 43 | | Europe (European Hit Radio) | 15 | | url=https://musiikkiarkisto.fi/oa/_tiedostot/julkaisut/sisaltaa-hitin.pdf#page=241|first=Timo |last=Pennanen |year=2021 |title=Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 |section=Bananarama|page=25|publisher=Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava |location=Helsinki|access-date=April 22, 2025}} | 13 | | Israel (Israeli Singles Chart) | 6 | | Luxembourg (Radio Luxembourg) | 12 | | Portugal (AFP) | 10 | | UK Airplay (Music Week) | 11 | | UK Dance (Music Week) | 57 | ::

Release history

::data[format=table]

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.United KingdomJapanAustralia
April 8, 1991London
May 7, 199110-inch vinyl
May 10, 1991Mini-CD
May 25, 1991CD
July 8, 1991
::

References

References

  1. (1994). "The Captain and Me". [[Warner Bros. Records.
  2. Stuyt, Chelsey. (November 17, 2014). "The Doobie Brothers' 'Southbound' a Jukebox of Greatest Hits". Vancouver Weekly.
  3. Molanphy, Chris. (July 31, 2021). "What a Fool Believes Edition". [[Slate (magazine).
  4. Breihan, Tom. (July 3, 2019). "The Number Ones: The Doobie Brothers' "Black Water"".
  5. (October 15, 1996). "Precious and Few - Pop Music in the Early '70s". [[St. Martin's Press.
  6. (April 14, 1973). "Radio Action & Pick Singles".
  7. (April 14, 1973). "Record Reviews > Picks of the Week".
  8. (April 14, 1973). "Single Picks".
  9. Aaron, Charles. (March 1994). "Singles".
  10. Gallucci, Michael. (February 12, 2013). "Top 10 Doobie Brothers songs". Ultimate Classic Rock.
  11. Graff, Gary. (November 6, 2020). "The Doobie Brothers' 10 Best Songs: Staff Picks". Billboard.
  12. Kent, David. (1993). "Australian Chart Book 1970-1992". Australian Chart Book.
  13. "flavour of new zealand – search listener".
  14. "South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 - 1989 Acts (D)".
  15. "The Captain and Me – Awards". [[AllMusic]].
  16. (December 29, 1973). "Top 100 Singles of '73". [[Library and Archives Canada]].
  17. (December 29, 1973). "Top Pop Singles".
  18. "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – Week Ending 17 Apr 1994".
  19. Ryan, Gavin. (2011). "Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010". Moonlight Publishing.
  20. (December 11, 1993). "Eurochart Hot 100".
  21. (January 15, 1994). "European Dance Radio Top 25".
  22. (June 5, 1993). "EHR Top 40".
  23. Pennanen, Timo. (2021). "Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021". Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava.
  24. (December 11, 1993). "The Airplay Chart".
  25. (November 27, 1993). "Dance Singles".
  26. (November 13, 1993). "The ''RM'' Club Chart".
  27. (January 15, 1994). "Top 100 Singles 1993".
  28. (December 25, 1993). "The ''RM'' Club Chart 93".
  29. "InfoDisc : Tous les Titres par Artiste".
  30. Mason, Stewart. "Bananarama – Pop Life". [[AllMusic]].
  31. Flick, Larry. (June 22, 1991). "Hi-NRG Awards Set; Waters Flowing; Princely Track".
  32. Eddy, Chuck. (July 12, 1991). "Pop Life".
  33. True, Everett. (April 13, 1991). "Singles".
  34. "Bananarama: Long Train Running".
  35. (17 June 2014). "Re: ARIA Charts Peak".
  36. (4 May 1991). "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles".
  37. (25 May 1991). "European Airplay Top 50".
  38. (1 June 1991). "European Hit Radio".
  39. Pennanen, Timo. (2021). "Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021". Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava.
  40. [https://pizmonet.co.il/wiki/16.6.1991 Israeli Singles Chart. June 16, 1991.]
  41. "Radio Luxembourg Singles". umdmusic.com.
  42. (July 13, 1991). "Top 10 Sales in Europe".
  43. (May 11, 1991). "Playlist Chart".
  44. (April 27, 1991). "Top 60 Dance Singles".
  45. (April 6, 1991). "New Releases: Singles".
  46. (May 4, 1991). "New Releases: Singles".
  47. "バナナラマ {{!}} ロング・トレイン・ランニン". [[Oricon]].
  48. "バナナラマ {{!}} ロング・トレイン・ランニン". Oricon.
  49. (July 7, 1991). "New Release Summary – Product Available from : 8/07/91: Singles".

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1973-songs1973-singles1982-singles1991-singlesbananarama-songsthe-doobie-brothers-songslondon-records-singlesmusic-videos-directed-by-nick-eganmusic-week-number-one-dance-singlespolydor-records-singlessong-recordings-produced-by-ted-templemansongs-about-trainssongs-written-by-tom-johnston-(musician)warner-records-singles