DOWNBOUND TRAIN

Album version

I had a job, I had a girl
I had something going mister in this world
I got laid off down at the lumber yard
Our love went bad, times got hard
Now I work down at the carwash
Where all it ever does is rain
Don't you feel like you're a rider on a downbound train

She just said "Joe I gotta go
We had it once we ain't got it any more"
She packed her bags left me behind
She bought a ticket on the Central Line
Nights as I sleep, I hear that whistle whining
I feel her kiss in the misty rain
And I feel like I'm a rider on a downbound train

Last night I heard your voice
You were crying, crying, you were so alone
You said your love had never died
You were waiting for me at home
Put on my jacket, I ran through the woods
I ran till I thought my chest would explode
There in the clearing, beyond the highway
In the moonlight, our wedding house shone
I rushed through the yard, I burst through the front door
My head pounding hard, up the stairs I climbed
The room was dark, our bed was empty
Then I heard that long whistle whine
And I dropped to my knees, hung my head and cried

Now I swing a sledge hammer on a railroad gang
Knocking down them cross ties, working in the rain
Now don't it feel like you're a rider on a downbound train

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Info

DOWNBOUND TRAIN is a song written by Bruce Springsteen and released on his 1984 album Born In The U.S.A.. The above lyrics are for Bruce Springsteen's album version of DOWNBOUND TRAIN as released in 1984.

The line "I had a job, I had a girl" later appeared in DEAD MAN WALKIN'.

Writing and Recording

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Born In The U.S.A.

Born In The U.S.A. is Bruce Springsteen's seventh studio album. It was released on 04 Jun 1984 on Columbia Records. It was recorded between January 1982 and February 1984 at The Hit Factory and The Power Station in New York City, NY.

Bruce Springsteen -- Born In The U.S.A.

The album features 12 tracks and clocks at 46:57. It is produced by produced by Jon Landau, Chuck Plotkin, Bruce Springsteen, and Steven Van Zandt.

Other Official Releases

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The live 27 Sep 1985 version of DOWNBOUND TRAIN was released on the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Sept 27, 1985 official live download in 2019.

The live 03 Jul 1988 version of DOWNBOUND TRAIN was released on the Stockholm Stadion, Sweden 1988 official live download in 2017.

The live 25 Jun 2005 version of DOWNBOUND TRAIN was released on the Stockholm 2005 official live download in 2020.

The live 20 Oct 2009 version of DOWNBOUND TRAIN was released on the Wachovia Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA 10/20/09 official live download in 2017.

The live 28 Jul 2012 version of DOWNBOUND TRAIN was released on the Gothenburg July 28, 2012 official live download in 2020.

The live 31 Jul 2012 version of DOWNBOUND TRAIN was released on the Olympiastadion, Helsinki July 31, 2012 official live download in 2017.

The live 22 Sep 2012 version of DOWNBOUND TRAIN was released on the East Rutherford, NJ 09.22.12 official live download in 2019.

Live History

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Covers

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At least 19 artists have recorded and released Bruce Springsteen's DOWNBOUND TRAIN.

Various artists -- One Step Up / Two Steps Back: The Songs Of Bruce Springsteen

2xCD - The Right Stuff (7243 8 59780 2 9) - USA, 1997
2xCD - EMI (TOCP-50377/8) - Japan, 1997

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album. Disc 1 was reissued in 2000 as The Songs Of Bruce Springsteen. DOWNBOUND TRAIN is performed by The Smithereens.

Various artists -- Badlands - A Tribute To Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska

CD - Sub Pop (SPCD 525) - USA, 2000
CD - Sub Pop (9878-70525-2) - Germany, 2000
CD - Sub Pop (WPCR-10845) - Japan, 2000

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album. DOWNBOUND TRAIN is performed by Raul Malo of The Maverics.

Various artists -- Light Of Day: A Tribute To Bruce Springsteen

2xCD - Schoolhouse Records / Big Daddy (SHR0022-2) - USA, 2003
2xCD - Good Sounds / DiscMedi Blau (DM 797E-02) - Spain, 2003
3xCD - Good Sounds / DiscMedi Blau (DM 797-02) - Spain, 2003
2xCD - Schoolhouse Records / Revolver (REV XD244) - UK, 2004
2xCD - Revolver / Sony (MHCP 928-9) - Japan, 2005

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album. There are five issues of this album (with three track configurations) and this track was included on all five issues listed above. DOWNBOUND TRAIN is performed by Kirk Kelly.

The Bruceband -- Greetings From Moskou

CD - no label (no catalog number) - Holland, 2006

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album.

Various artists -- Play Some Pool, Skip Some School, Act Real Cool: A Global Pop Tribute To Bruce Springsteen

2xCD - Where It's At Is Where You Are (WIACD20) - UK, 2009

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album. DOWNBOUND TRAIN is performed by The Foxgloves.

Catch This Beat -- Tribute To Bruce Springsteen

Digital album - Talking Clive (unknown catalog number) - USA, 2012

This is a download-only digital Bruce Springsteen tribute album.

Various artists -- Long Distance Salvation: A Tribute To Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska

LP - no label (no catalog number) - USA, 2012
Digital album - no label (no catalog number) - USA, 2012

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album, available in downloadable digital form and on limited edition colored vinyl. The digital version contains three tracks not found on the LP issue. DOWNBOUND TRAIN is performed by Roadside Graves. The song is one of the tracks found only on the digital version.

Various artists -- Return To Nebraska

Digital album - no label (no catalog number) - Holland, 2012

This is a free download-only digital Bruce Springsteen tribute album. DOWNBOUND TRAIN is performed by Trio Bier.

Hungry Hearts -- Tortona City Serenade

Digital album - no label (no catalog number) - Italy, 2014

This is a download-only digital live Bruce Springsteen tribute album.

Various artists -- Dead Man's Town: A Tribute To Born In The U.S.A.

LP - Lightning Rod Records (LRR25523) - USA, 2014
CD - Lightning Rod Records (LRR25523) - USA, 2014

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album. DOWNBOUND TRAIN is performed by Joe Pug.

Hungry Hearts -- Live In My Hometown

CD-R - no label (no catalog number) - Italy, 2015

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album, recorded live on 09 Jan 2015 at Inferno Di Dante in Tortona, Italy.

Chris Monzon -- Chris In The U.S.A.

Digital EP - no label (no catalog number) - USA, 2016

This is a free download-only digital Bruce Springsteen tribute EP.

Labruce -- Labruce

Digital EP - no label (no catalog number) - USA, 2016

This is a free download-only digital Bruce Springsteen tribute EP.

The Waybacks & Friends -- Merlefest Hillside Album Hour 2015: Back In The U.S.A.

CD - no label (no catalog number) - USA, 2016

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album.

Various artists -- Glory Days In Rimini - Keep On Dreaming

CD - no label (no catalog number) - Italy, 2016

This is a live Bruce Springsteen tribute album. DOWNBOUND TRAIN is performed by Filippo Malatesta.

Heaven Is Shining -- Born In The USA

Digital album - Rosenklang (unknown catalog number) - Germany, 2021

This is a download-only digital Bruce Springsteen tribute album.

The Bruceband -- Born In The U.S.A. Live

Digital album - Dr K Music (no catalog number) - Holland, 2021

This is a download-only digital live Bruce Springsteen tribute album.

Nigel Hallchurch -- Cross My Heart

CD-R - no label (no catalog number) - UK, 2022

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album.

JP Stingray -- Cover Me: Songs By The Boss

CD - JP Music (26086224) - The Netherlands, 2024

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album.

Available Versions

List of available versions of DOWNBOUND TRAIN on this website:

Page last updated: 10 Jan 2016