1. Mystery Train (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Jarmusch's soundtrack is pure Memphis grit, a slow burn through humid nights and forgotten souls. It’s early rock 'n' roll’s backbone, draped in melancholic blues, echoing a time when the rails were escape routes, not just transit lines. This ain't about speed; it's about the journey’s texture, the worn-out seats, the ghosts in the rhythm section. Good for staring out at blurred landscapes, letting the desolation seep in.
2. Trans-Europe Express (2009 Remaster)
Kraftwerk's mechanical masterpiece. This isn't just music; it's the rhythm of modernity, the hum of steel on steel, a perfect sonic companion for crossing borders. They stripped away the fat, found the soul in the circuit board, and laid down the blueprint for electronic music’s future. Hear the cold, precise poetry of industrial movement, the ghost in the machine conducting your continental drift.
3. All The Little Lights
Passenger’s acoustic wanderings might seem a little too recent for my usual beat, but there’s an undeniable folk sincerity here. It’s the kind of introspective strumming that suits a lone traveler, looking out at the world passing by. Not quite the raw Delta blues, but a modern troubadour’s lament, stripped down and honest, much like the early protest songs before they got slick.
4. City Of New Orleans
Ah, the ultimate American rail odyssey. Arlo Guthrie’s rendition embodies that wistful country-folk spirit, a narrative journey across fading landscapes and forgotten towns. It’s got the bittersweet tang of a gospel hymn and the rambling heart of early rockabilly, all tied together with a locomotive rhythm. A reminder that sometimes the destination is less important than the stories you collect along the way.
5. Take the 'A' Train
Ellington's enduring anthem. This is the sound of possibility, of urban sophistication, of Harlem’s vibrant pulse. It’s jazz in its purest, most exhilarating form – the swing that built the foundations, the improvisational fire that birthed bebop. Let the horns usher you through tunnels and across bridges; this track is a masterclass in controlled chaos and elegant momentum. Absolutely timeless.
6. The Dock of the Bay
Otis, gone too soon, yet leaving behind this immortal soul hymn. It's got the profound melancholy of a blues lament, softened by that unmistakable Stax R&B groove. The whistling, the acoustic guitar – it paints a picture of contemplation, of watching the world drift by. A perfect companion for those moments of quiet introspection as the landscape blurs outside your window.
7. Train In Vain (Stand By Me)
The Clash, stripped down and raw, proving punk’s elasticity. While it's got that driving rock 'n' roll engine, there’s a real soul undercurrent, a classic R&B heartache powering its message. It’s the sound of frustration and longing, a late-70s jolt of energy that still feels vital. Not a literal train song, but it captures the restless, forward momentum of a journey, mental or otherwise.
8. Midnight Train to Georgia
Gladys Knight and The Pips deliver pure, unadulterated soul storytelling here. It’s gospel’s emotional heft married to R&B’s slick groove, a narrative journey steeped in both longing and determination. The harmonies, the build-up – it pulls you in, makes you feel every mile of that midnight ride. A powerful, heartfelt anthem for anyone chasing a dream, or running from one.
9. Folsom Prison Blues
Cash’s raw, unflinching narrative. This is the grit of country music, infused with the stark realism of the blues, delivered with that rockabilly swagger. The chugging rhythm, the lyrical imagery of a train passing a prison – it’s primal, direct, and utterly captivating. It’s a foundational piece of American music, as solid and unyielding as the iron rails themselves.
10. Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
A soundtrack for a journey, not just a film. Broughton’s score taps into that grand, orchestral sweep, evoking vast landscapes and the inexorable pull of home. It’s less about specific grooves and more about atmosphere, a melodic undercurrent that can lend a sense of epic scale to even the most mundane European vista. Think of it as cinematic folk, setting the scene without demanding center stage.
