Southbound Train

Album: Fall (2007)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Fall is the first of four solo EPs from Switchfoot frontman Jon Foreman, each named for a different season. Opening with harmonica and strings to mimic the sound of a train chugging along, "Southbound Train" finds a passenger longing for the woman he loves. While staring out the locomotive's window, he starts seeing her features reflected in the scenes of nature. Foreman told antimusic.com he wrote the tune while on a train from Santa Barbara to San Diego. "Trains are romantic," he explained. "Planes are business cards, cars are like family, but trains feel more like a dating relationship. I live near the train tracks and I wanted this track to feel like a train."
  • This features frequent Switchfoot guest musician Keith Tutt II on cello.
  • Foreman recalls how the track came together: "My friend Jamie [Tworkowski, founder of the nonprofit To Write Love On Her Arms] was staying at my place while we were tracking this. I remember both of us sitting on the carpet listening to either lay this down. I remember we used a pillow and breathing for the percussion." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Noah – USA, for above 3

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Corey Hart

Corey HartSongwriter Interviews

The Canadian superstar talks about his sudden rise to fame, and tells the stories behind his hits "Sunglasses At Night," "Boy In The Box" and "Never Surrender."

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside Story

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside StorySong Writing

The in-depth discussion about the making of Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted Neeley, who played Jesus in the 1973 film.

Rob Halford of Judas Priest

Rob Halford of Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford dives into some of his Judas Priest lyrics, talking about his most personal songs and the message behind "You've Got Another Thing Comin'."

Michael W. Smith

Michael W. SmithSongwriter Interviews

Smith breaks down some of his worship tracks as well as his mainstream hits, including "I Will Be Here For You" and "A Place In This World."

Jimmy Webb

Jimmy WebbSongwriter Interviews

Webb talks about his classic songs "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," "Wichita Lineman" and "MacArthur Park."

Michael Bolton

Michael BoltonSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for this talk with Bolton from the '80s when he was a focused on writing songs for other artists.