Downtown Train by Rod Stewart

Album: Storyteller (1989)

Charted: 10 3

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Songfacts®:

Tom Waits wrote this song and was the first to record it, including it on his 1985 album Rain Dogs. His version is well known to his fans, but Waits occupies a pretty specific niche and doesn't do much promotion. Stewart's more polished version, impelled by his marketing machine and an elegant music video, was a big hit, climbing to #3 in America and #10 in the UK.
Stewart recorded the song as a last-minute addition to Storyteller, a greatest hits compilation with a few new recordings. Rob Dickins, an executive at his record label, brought the song to Stewart's attention.
Stewart told The Guardian, April 19, 2013, that when he hears the right song, he looks for the way to make it a Rod Stewart song. "For instance," he explained, "I'm sure Tom Waits wouldn't mind me saying this - Tom's 'Downtown Train,' I realized there was a melody there in the chorus, and it's beautiful, but he barely gets up and barely gets down to the lower notes, so I took it to the extreme. That was a case where I brought the chorus alive and there have been a couple like that."
The song was produced by Trevor Horn, a founding member of the Buggles and part of the Yes lineup from 1980-1981. He's worked with artists across a range of genres, including Seal, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, and Tori Amos. Horn also produced Stewart's 1991 hit "Rhythm Of My Heart."
Stewart wasn't the first to hear the potential in this song and take it into the Hot 100. Patty Smyth, best known as lead singer of the band Scandal, released her cover in 1987, which went to #95.
Waits has never had a Hot 100 hit as an artist, and this is his only song to crack the tally as a songwriter. In 2008, his song "Falling Down" bubbled under at #121 when it was recorded by Scarlett Johansson. Other popular covers of Waits' songs include "Tom Traubert's Blues" by Rod Stewart, "Jersey Girl" by Bruce Springsteen, and "Ol' '55" by the Eagles.
Stewart landed his first #1 Adult Contemporary hit with an updated version of his Isley Brothers cover "This Old Heart Of Mine," also issued in 1989 on Storyteller. "Downtown Train" was released as his next single and also hit the top spot on that chart. These songs that appeal to an older audience benefited from VH1, which was on many cable systems by this time.

Comments: 17

Al V. from San Diego, CaThe Ramones did a great cover of Waits's "I Don't Want To Grow Up".
Facts from The Real DealI used to love Rod Stewart back in the day, and I remember VIVIDLY hearing Casey Kasem tell the story of this song when it was floating in the top 40. According to Kasem, Stewart had offered the song to an up-and-coming band and, upon hearing of its potential chart-topper possibilities, recorded the song and released it just days before the band he offered it to could do the same. Needless to say, I never listened to Stewart ever again.
Sue Tee from OntarioRod's version is OK, BUT listen to the Everything But the Girl cover - so beautiful it'll make you cry ....
Jeremy from Sydney Criminal that this is not listed under Tom Waits. Special place in hell for those who have success with covers. Stewart shouldn’t even speak Tom Waits’ name let alone sing HIS song.
Susan from IllinoisI have only heard the Rod Stewart version. It’s one of his best, in my opinion. I also love the video. Rod Stewart styled his own hair for the video. He looks great!
Seventhmist from 7th HeavenAvoid Tom Waits' rendition of ANYTHING. His voice makes ears bleed.
Jorg from Utrecht, NetherlandsThis song was produced by Trevor Horn. Just like This old heart of mine.
Camille from Toronto, OhThis is the only version I ever heard; I like it. Just a nice song.
Rob from Farmingdale, NyI agree with David H: Patti Smyth's version is terrific, always my favorite and utterly forgotten. It was little heard to begin with. I heard it once and it stuck with me all years. Never heard Tom Waits version (talented songwriter and wonderful lyricist but unlistenable voice and too depressing) and Rod's is Rod-great but just Rod. Patti Smyth's version is fantastic, a great cover!
Camille from Toronto, OhNice song, the video was good, too.
Nick from Brisbane, AustraliaI LOVE the Tom Waits version, spare and heartfelt. The man's voice is shot to hell, but he knows how to sing a song.
Kenny from Clydebank, ScotlandRod the Mod has a great voice and his Jack the Lad image belies an amazing talent. He can pen a good song when he wants to, and his cover versions are often, like this one, better than the originals. Over the past few years, Rod and Elton John have come back into prominence; funny how we suddenly start playing their records again. Call it nostalgia, call it a dearth of new talent, call it what you will, Rod rocks and he's a patriotic Scot to boot (no pun on his love of football intended.) WHO'S THAT KNOCKING ON MY DOOR.... IT'S GOTTA BE A QUARTER TO FOUR.... Hot legs is another dynamite song.
Ethan from Portland, OrAvoid Tom Waits' version at all costs. Simply turgid. No passion whatsoever. At least Rod injects some feeling into it . . . to great effect, might I add.
Bill from Sellersville, PaAnyone ever hear the group "Eveyrthing But The Girl" rendition of this song? It's wonderful.
Anita from Nyc, NyTom Waits is a musical genius. So sad he doesn't even merit REAL inclusion in SONGFACTS -- just as a footnote to a very POOR cover and a marvelous song! On a fantastic album, "Rain Dogs." (editor's note: We usually list the songs under whatever artist had the best-known version.)
David from Haskell, NjPatty Smyth covered this song, IMNBO, much better
then RS and TW. Its on the album Never Enough
which the Hooters helped out with. Some really good songs on it too. Rod's storyteller anthology is a great collection. If you buy only one set of music, this would be a good one to buy.
Mark from Akron, OhBob Seger had recorded this song and played it for Rod. Rod liked the song and got his version of the song out before Seger's. Which supposedly angered Seger.