Dixie Flyer

Album: Land Of Dreams (1988)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is a biographical song about the Newman family. Newman was born in Los Angeles on November 28, 1943. It is evident from the lyrics that his grandparents were Orthodox Jews who were trying to throw off their Jewishness and live the American Dream. In the song, his mother leaves Los Angeles bound for New Orleans where her family lived, on the Dixie Flyer, which was a train that traveled from the midwest to Florida. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England

Comments: 4

  • Fong Tong from Atlanta GaIn reality, the "Dixie Flyer" train went from Chicago to Florida via Nashville and Atlanta - it went nowhere near Los Angeles. The train from Los Angeles to New Orleans was (and still is) called the "Sunset Limited."
  • The Land Of Green Ginger from Essex, UkNew Orleans is known as The Land of Dreams long before Randy Newman, from a Louis Armstrong lyric, no irony, even if he wasn't a jazz fan he'd have heard it called that, as well as The Crescent City, The Big Easy etc
  • Dave from New England, UsThough Newman's parents were Jewish, they were nonobservant--definitely not orthodox. He has said that he grew up with no religious identity. Regardless, it would have been easier at the time to live in the American South--"down there" as he refers to it in the song--being Christian.
  • Rene from New Orleans, Larandy, as normal being tongue-in-cheek calling new orleans the land of dreams; but i like it...
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Kerry Livgren of Kansas

Kerry Livgren of KansasSongwriter Interviews

In this talk from the '80s, the Kansas frontman talks turning to God and writing "Dust In The Wind."

Joe Elliott of Def Leppard

Joe Elliott of Def LeppardSongwriter Interviews

The Def Leppard frontman talks about their "lamentable" hit he never thought of as a single, and why he's juiced by his Mott The Hoople cover band.

Does Jimmy Page Worship The Devil? A Look at Satanism in Rock

Does Jimmy Page Worship The Devil? A Look at Satanism in RockSong Writing

We ring the Hell's Bells to see what songs and rockers are sincere in their Satanism, and how much of it is an act.

Sam Phillips

Sam PhillipsSongwriter Interviews

Collaborating with T Bone Burnett, Leslie Phillips changed her name and left her Christian label behind - Robert Plant, who recorded one of her songs on Raising Sand, is a fan.

Howard Jones

Howard JonesSongwriter Interviews

Howard explains his positive songwriting method and how uplifting songs can carry a deeper message.

Creedence Clearwater Revival

Creedence Clearwater RevivalFact or Fiction

Is "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" about Vietnam? Was John Fogerty really born on a Bayou? It's the CCR edition of Fact or Fiction.