Who sang 'Runaway train'??

Question

So far i have heard Roy Orbison sang this song, however then i was told it was by Soul Asylum. Although further looking suggests the song was actually wrote by Tom Petty. So whos song is it??

Answer 1

Soul Asylum, on their album Grave Dancers Union

Elton John had a song by that name as well

Answer 2

There are two songs that I know of with that title. One was released in the 1980's by country singer Rosanne Cash-Johnny's daughter-and a dfiferent song with the same title by the group Soul Asylum from the 90's I believe. I don't know about the Roy Orbison or Tom Petty songs.

Answer 3

Title: Soul Asylum - Runaway Train lyrics

Artist: Soul Asylum

Call you up in the middle of the night
Like a firefly without a light
You were there like a slow torch burning
I was a key that could use a little turning

So tired that I couldn't even sleep
So many secrets I couldn't keep
Promised myself I wouldn't weep
One more promise I couldn't keep

It seems no one can help me now
I'm in too deep
There's no way out
This time I have really led myself astray

CHORUS
Runaway train never going back
Wrong way on a one way track
Seems like I should be getting somewhere
Somehow I'm neither here no there

Can you help me remember how to smile
Make it somehow all seem worthwhile
How on earth did I get so jaded
Life's mystery seems so faded

I can go where no one else can go
I know what no one else knows
Here I am just drownin' in the rain
With a ticket for a runaway train

Everything is cut and dry
Day and night, earth and sky
Somehow I just don't believe it

CHORUS

Bought a ticket for a runaway train
Like a madman laughin' at the rain
Little out of touch, little insane
Just easier than dealing with the pain

Runaway train never comin' back
Runaway train tearin' up the track
Runaway train burnin' in my veins
Runaway but it always seems the same

Answer 4

I have only heard the Soul Asylum version. It was released in the 90's I believe.
Go to www.launchast.com and type in Soul Asylum or even the song title and it will bring up a list.

Answer 5

If it's the childrens song it's Vernon Dalhart . Listen / download here
http://www.songofthesalesman.co.uk/ad.aspx?partist=Vernon%20Dalhart

Otherwise Tom Petty / Soul Asylum

Answer 6

Soul Asylum

Answer 7

Title Runaway Train
Artist Tom Petty
Album Let Me Up (I've Had Enough) (1987)

Call you up in the middle of the night,
like a fire flower FAR OF light,
you were there like a blow torch burnin',
I was a key that could use a little turnin'

So tired that I couldn't even sleep,
so many secrets I couldn't keep,
I promised myself I wouldn't weep,
one more promise I couldn't keep

It seems no one can help me now,
I'm in too deep theres no way out,
this time I have really led myself a-stray

Runaway train never goin' back,
wrong way on a one way track
seems like I should be getting somewhere,
somehow I'm neither here nor there

Can you help me remember how to smile,
make it somehow all seem worth while,
how on earth did I get so jaded,
life's mysteries seem so FADED(???)

I can go where no one else can go,
I know what no one else knows,
here I am just a drowning in the rain,
with a ticket for a runaway train

Everything seems cut and dry,
day and night earth and sky,
somehow I just don't believe it

Runaway train never goin' back,
wrong way on a one way track
seems like I should be getting somewhere,
somehow I'm neither here nor there

Want a ticket for a runaway train?,
like a madman laughin' at the rain,
a little out of touch little insane,
its just easier THAN DEALING with the pain

Runaway train never goin' back,
wrong way on a one way track
seems like I should be getting somewhere,
somehow I'm neither here nor there

Runaway train never comin' back,
runaway train tearin' up the track,
runaway train burnin' in my veins,
run away but it always seems the same

I would say Tom Petty because this is on a 1987 album and Soul Asylum is on a 1992 album

Answer 8

I can think of 2 versions.
You are right about Soul Asylum singing one of them but Elton John and Eric Clapton also did a song of the same title but not the same tune.

Answer 9

Soul Asylum......Grave Dancer's Union

Answer 10

Soul Asylum's song of that title was written by their singer,Dave Pirner,just checked on my copy of the cd single.I guess others have done different songs with the same title.