This isn’t the same Runaway Train that brought Soul Asylum into heavy MTV rotation a year earlier (or Blue Rodeo’s song). No, this one’s more haunted, more twangy, and more soaked in country rock. It might be better, at least to me. Since I heard this band a few months ago, I cannot shake them, nor do I want to. I feel a Big Star love for them.
The Blue Shadows never got their due. They existed in that strange space between country and power pop, never quite fitting into either scene completely. But that’s exactly what made them special. This song stands as a testament to what happens when talented musicians follow their instincts rather than market trends or what’s hot today. This song was released in 1995 on the album Lucky To Me, their last studio album.
Led by Billy Cowsill, the Blue Shadows carved out a very different space in early ’90s Canada. The song was written by Jeffrey Hatcher and Billy Cowsill. Cowsill had the kind of voice that was country tinged with an edge. Hatcher was equal parts Buddy Holly with a touch of Chris Hillman cool, which makes for a killer songwriting partner.
There’s an alternate timeline in a perfect world where the Blue Shadows catch fire, tour with Uncle Tupelo, Wilco, or The Jayhawks, and end up as alt-country royalty. Instead, their last album, Lucky To Me, went quietly out into the world, loved by those lucky enough to hear it, and this song remains one of the most gorgeous things to ever slip through the cracks of the 1990s.
Billy Cowsill’s last interview, he was asked what he was most proud of in his career, and he answered with The Blue Shadows’ first album On The Floor of Heaven. “To my mind, that is the finest piece of work I ever did. It is just so good. The writing is so good. The production is so good. It is a nice little piece de resistance.”
Runaway Train
There ain’t a ball and chain
That can tie me down
There ain’t a jail been made
That can hold me now
I heard some fool say
He’s got to be insane
Well it kind of looks that way
From a runaway train that’s out of control
No matter what I do
No matter where I go
You can say goodbye
I won’t be back again
But don’t expect a reply
Not from a runaway train
Oh no they can’t catch me
Because they move too slow
And they’re new at this game
I started long ago
I tell you I was here
Before the track was laid
I was the first to ride
On that runaway train that’s out of control
No matter what I do
No matter where I go
You can say goodbye
I won’t be back again
But don’t expect a reply
Not from a runaway train
I used to roll on through
When it was countryside
Then the cities they grew
Until they reached the sky
I’m going to hit the coast
Then roll right on through
Wish you could see the view
From that runaway train that’s out of control
No matter what I do
No matter where I go
You can say goodbye
I won’t be back again
But don’t expect a reply
Not from a runaway train
From that runaway train that’s out of control
No matter what I do
No matter where I go
You can say goodbye
I won’t be back again
But don’t expect a reply
Don’t expect a reply
Don’t expect a reply
No, no don’t expect a reply
….
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Incredible. Another great song from this group. I could listen to them all day.
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They are worth listening to…truly great songs and performances…
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That has a good sound & feel to it. It’s weird I didn’t hear them, living up there at that time. I guess by the ’90s even the more avant garde stations were too ‘formatted’ to give them a try. A shame.
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They had hard luck it seems like many that we know. They sound just as good as their alt-country peers and many times more accessible.
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ah Billy Cowsill…lots of memories. the guy could write, and the king of harmonies…there was a celtic/pop band here, the Rankin Family, and I was lucky enough during a rehearsal to hear the Blue Shawdows and the three women in that band harmonize…looking at him, I remember I did a phone interview with him first for newspaper preview, and then did an on camera interview, and he looked older than his age and rough…but such an interesting guy, I was surprised at his knowledge of Canadian music, we talked for a while about Canadian Michel Pagliaro’s tunes…..I’d forgotten about Blue Northern, I remember speeding down the highway in my firebird with too late to run back cranked!….and yes I did have the Burt Reynold’s mustache at the time
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Hey…my dad had that Burt Reynolds mustache…nothing wrong with that!
Yea I like Blue Northern…I listened to them when you mentioned the Blue Shadows…I’ve been hooked ever since.
It does sound like he had a rough life especially with his family or dad. He seemed like a good guy.
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Very enjoyable music that is totally new to me, Max. My AI Overview said that according to powerpop.blog, this song is considered a hidden gem, deserving of more recognition for its quality and songwriting.
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I loved these guys. You’re right that they should have done better and got more recognition. Just didn’t work out as you say. I bought the first album. Great post Max.
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Thanks Randy…I love these guys as well. Kinda like a Big Star love to them because damn it wasn’t fair….but what is?
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I like that tour lineup you came up with. I’m a sucker for “Train” songs especially good ones like this.
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I can’t shake this band CB… good stuff from their 3 albums. It is a great train song!
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I like when that happens. Brings these guys into the present. Timeless
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They harmonise real well, and it more swings than rocks along, but you can’t help but let yourself go and enjoy the ride. And yes, in an alternate fairer world things would’ve been better.
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It does obbverse. Why do I fall for these kind of bands lol…I feel like a son now. No, when I hear someting that is obviously good enough to compete with peers…it just seems wrong.
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Unlike Uncle Tupelo, Wilco or, thanks to fellow bloggers, The Jayhawks, I had never heard of Blue Shadows, I think. In any case, “Runaway Train” is instant love that makes me want to hear more of their music – pretty cool sound and I also like the vocals!
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Christian….Mark just left so I’ll be catching up with you….but please give a song called “Deliver Me” a try!
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I had to watch the video to see if I remember MuchMusic playing it. I don’t recall see the video or tune. Not bad actually. Early 90s was a weird spot for many a band/artist. The genre I was listening to was basically over by mid 92 haha…
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