1. “Folsom Prison Blues” by Johnny Cash

This classic song perfectly captures the spirit of train travel and sets the tone for many songs about trains that would follow.

2. “Midnight Train to Georgia” by Gladys Knight & The Pips

A soulful ode to leaving a life behind and taking a train ride in search of something better.

3. “City of New Orleans” by Arlo Guthrie

An emotional tribute to the historic train that connected Chicago and New Orleans, capturing the essence of long-distance rail travel.

4. “Night Train” by James Brown

A funky, grooving instrumental track from the Godfather of Soul himself.

5. “Last Train to Clarksville” by The Monkees

Despite its upbeat, poppy sound, this song tells the story of a soldier leaving for war on a train.

6. “Mystery Train” by Elvis Presley

A captivating rockabilly track about a mysterious train picking up passengers for an unknown destination.

7. “Long Train Runnin'” by The Doobie Brothers

With its irresistible groove and catchy chorus, this song is sure to get you tapping your foot on any train journey.

8. “Love in Vain” by Robert Johnson

This blues classic tells the tale of unrequited love and a lonesome train journey back home.

9. “Homeward Bound” by Simon & Garfunkel

This poignant song speaks about the longing to return home on a train after being away for too long.

10. “Peace Train” by Cat Stevens

An uplifting anthem about coming together and boarding the “peace train,” working towards harmony and understanding.

11. “Hear My Train A Comin'” by Jimi Hendrix

A bluesy rock tune showcasing Hendrix’s exceptional guitar skills, with lyrics that touch on themes of redemption and anticipation.

12. “Downtown Train” by Tom Waits

A gravelly, heartfelt ballad about longing for love on a train ride through the city.

13. “Take the A Train” by Duke Ellington

A jazz classic and one of the best-known train songs, “Take the A Train” is an ode to the New
York City subway system at its finest.

14. “Morningtown Ride” by The Seekers

With a comforting melody and lilting vocals, this song captures the feeling of being gently rocked to sleep on a train late at night.

15. “It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry” by Bob Dylan

This blues-infused track from Dylan showcases his talent as both a songwriter and harmonica player.

16. “I Often Dream of Trains” by Robyn Hitchcock

A dreamlike, surreal song about escaping ordinary life and finding oneself on an unexpected train journey.

17. “Heart-Like-a-Wheel/Arcs & Coulombs/The Engineer & the Artist/Beautiful Mother Earth” by John Fahey

An ambitious multi-part instrumental piece that captures the beauty of traveling through America’s landscapes on a railroad.

18. “2:19” by Tom Waits

A gritty, heartbroken tale of riding trains to forget lost love, showcasing Waits’ unmistakable voice and storytelling skills.

19. “Hobo’s Lullaby” by Woody Guthrie

An empathetic portrayal of the lives of those who rode trains in search of opportunity during the
Great Depression.

20. “Train in Vain” by The Clash

This infectious punk rock anthem combines themes of love and betrayal with imagery of constant movement, which is uniquely fitting for a song about trains.