THE CLASH - TRAIN IN VAIN

Released: February 12, 1980

Charted:  US: #23 

"Train in Vain" is a track from the band’s "London Calling” album. originally hidden at the end of the record due to last-minute inclusion. The title was expanded to "Train in Vain (Stand by Me)" in the US to distinguish it from Ben E. King's iconic "Stand by Me." Despite its hidden status, the song became the band's first to break into the US Top 30 charts.

"Train in Vain" is often attributed to Mick Jones and is speculated to reflect his relationship with Ellen Foley, his girlfriend at the time. Jones delivers the vocals with a silky yet emotionally charged tone, enhanced by the double-tracking technique. Joe Strummer's harmonica complements the plaintive lyrics, evoking a sense of nostalgia and longing reminiscent of simpler ballads from British songwriters of the past. Despite being a departure from their usual punk sound, "Train in Vain" is regarded as the Clash's standout love song.

"Train in Vain" doesn't explicitly feature the phrase in its lyrics. Instead, the song revolves around the repeated refrain "stand by me," drawing a parallel with Ben E. King's famous track. The title likely stems from the rhythmic train motif in the song, coupled with the overarching theme of feeling lost or abandoned.

The backstory behind "Train in Vain" not being listed on the tracklisting of the original vinyl copy of the album was as we tell it below. Originally intended for an NME promotional flexi-disc, the song found itself homeless when the flexi-disc project fell through. In a last-minute decision, the band included it on the album just before vinyl pressing. Since the sleeve had already been designed, there was no time to update the tracklisting. As a result, "Train in Vain" was left off the list, only hinted at by its carving into the vinyl's run-out groove. Subsequent releases, including CD copies, rectified this omission by properly including it in the tracklisting.

"Train in Vain" quickly became a staple in The Clash's live performances after its introduction to their setlist in December 1979. The band consistently played it until Mick Jones departed in 1983. The music video for the song was compiled from one of these live performances, specifically from a show in Lewisham in February 1980. The video was filmed by Don Letts and includes a humorous introduction from Joe Strummer, inviting the audience to join them on the "soul train" and jokingly suggesting an alternative route for those who might not be interested: "We'd like to take the soul train from platform one... and if you don't want to come, there's always the toilet!"