Long Train Runnin'

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“Long Train Runnin'”
“Long Train Runnin'” cover
Single by The Doobie Brothers
from the album The Captain and Me
Released 1973
Format 7" single
Recorded 1973
Genre Pop, Rock
Label Warner Brothers
Writer(s) Tom Johnston
Producer Ted Templeman
The Doobie Brothers singles chronology
"Jesus Is Just Alright"
(1972)
"Long Train Runnin'"
(1973)
"China Grove"
(1973)
Alternate covers
"Long Train Runnin'" (Locomotive Remix) cover
"Long Train Runnin'" (Locomotive Remix) cover
“Long Train Running”
“Long Train Running” cover
Single by Bananarama
from the album Pop Life
B-side Outta Sight
Released April 1991
Format 7" single, 10" Picture Disc, 12" single, CD single
Recorded October 1990
Genre Pop, Dance
Label London Records
Writer(s) Tom Johnston
Producer Youth
Bananarama singles chronology
"Preacher Man"
(1990)
"Long Train Running"
(1991)
"Tripping on Your Love"
(1991)

"Long Train Runnin'" (or "Long Train Running") is a song written by musician Tom Johnston and recorded by The Doobie Brothers. It was included on the band's 1973 album The Captain and Me and released as a single, becoming a top-ten hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number eight. 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." Johnston performed the signature harmonica solo as well as the lead vocal and the distinctive, rhythmic guitar strumming that propels the song.

"Long Train Runnin'", originally pre-worked as "Osborne" in 1972 was finally released in 1973 under its current title. The song bears a noticeable resemblance to Led Zeppelin's "Trampled Under Foot" from their February 1975 album Physical Grafitti which in turn resembles Stevie Wonder's "Superstition", though neither band has confirmed nor denied inspiration from the other.

Nearly twenty years later "Long Train Runnin'" became a hit in the UK twice. In 1991 the song was covered by English girl group Bananarama and in 1993 the Doobie Brothers version was remixed and hit the top ten.

Bananarama's version appeared on their fifth studio album Pop Life and was released as the album's third single in the UK. 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 song recorded to complete Pop Life and decided to go with a cover version. The Gipsy Kings provided flamenco guitar on Bananarama's version, using the pseudonym "Alma de Noche" ("Soul of the Night"). UK singer Zoë provided backing vocals. Their music video features them dressed in black Spanish dresses eating at a decadent feast and performing the song on a large bed in a Spanish castle.

[edit] Charts

[edit] The Doobie Brothers version

Chart (1973) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 8
Chart (1993) Peak
position
UK Singles Chart 7

[edit] Bananarama version

Chart (1991) Peak
position
UK Singles Chart 30