This Train Don't Stop There Anymore

"This Train Don't Stop There Anymore" is the final track on Elton John's 2001 album Songs from the West Coast. Written by John and Bernie Taupin, the song's lyrics detail John's fame being over and his coming to terms with getting older but still keep touring and giving great performances around the world. It was released as the second single from the album and reached No. 24 in the UK Singles chart[1] and was a Top 10 Adult Contemporary chart hit in the US. The song was less successful in the Netherlands, reaching No. 83.[2]

"This Train Don't Stop There Anymore"
UK CD Single No. 1 version
Single by Elton John
from the album Songs from the West Coast
B-side"Did Anybody Sleep with Joan of Arc"
Released2001
GenreRock
Length4:37
LabelRocket, Mercury, Universal
Songwriter(s)Elton John, Bernie Taupin
Producer(s)Patrick Leonard
Elton John singles chronology
"I Want Love"
(2001)
"This Train Don't Stop There Anymore"
(2001)
"Original Sin"
(2002)
Music video
"This Train Don't Stop There Anymore" on YouTube

The arrangement of the song was simple, a throwback to John's early piano-bass-drums combination prior to the arrival of guitarist Davey Johnstone to his band. John played this song and "American Triangle" on his concerts months before the album's release and at the Songs from the West Coast Tour in 2001–2002. After the tour ended, John performed this song on various locations until 2004.[3]

Music video

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The music video, directed by David LaChapelle with Pierre Rouger as cinematographer, presents a younger John played by Justin Timberlake dressed in outfits typical of John in the 1970s;[4] the video also features Paul Reubens of Pee-Wee Herman fame as John Reid, John's manager of 25 years.

Personnel

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Covers

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Country music artists Rosanne Cash and Emmylou Harris covered the song for the 2018 tribute album Restoration: Reimagining the Songs of Elton John and Bernie Taupin.

Track listing

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UK CD single No. 1

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  1. "This Train Don't Stop There Anymore" – 4:39
  2. "Did Anybody Sleep with Joan of Arc" – 4:18
  3. "I Want Love" (live) – 4:34

UK CD single No. 2

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  1. "This Train Don't Stop There Anymore" – 4:39
  2. "American Triangle" (live) – 4:35
  3. "Philadelphia Freedom" (live) – 5:08

Alternative version

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  1. "This Train Don't Stop There Anymore" – 4:39
  2. "Did Anybody Sleep with Joan of Arc" – 4:18
  3. "I Want Love" (live) – 4:34
  4. "Philadelphia Freedom" (live) – 5:08

Charts

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Chart performance for "This Train Don't Stop There Anymore"
Chart (2002) Peak
position
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)[6] 18
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[7] 83
Scotland (OCC)[8] 24
UK Singles (OCC)[9] 24
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[10] 10

References

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  1. ^ "Elton John | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company. 23 January 1971. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  2. ^ "Elton John singles: Dutch Charts – dutchcharts.nl". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  3. ^ "This Train Don't Stop There Anymore by Elton John Song Statistics | setlist.fm". www.setlist.fm. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  4. ^ Quantick, David (1 September 2010). "Elton John Songs From the West Coast Review". BBC. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  5. ^ "Elton John Lyrics: This Train Don't Stop There Anymore". eltonography.com. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  6. ^ "Tipparade-lijst van week 12, 2002" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  7. ^ "Elton John – This Train Don't Stop There Anymore" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  8. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  9. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  10. ^ "Elton John Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 15 February 2022.