This Poison Fountain

Album: Rare Metal (1985)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This enigmatic song runs to 4 minutes 50 seconds; backed by "Hypocrite," it was released on the Wild Party label in 1985, the only single of a band that had so much potential but sadly came to nothing.

    The lyrics were written by front man Noel Jones, and it featured Simon Pengilly on guitars, Gerald Goff on bass and Jeff Ward on drums.

    Noel told Songfacts that "This Poison Fountain" is "about pollution and the scant regard some have for the welfare of this planet"; the night trains alluded to in the song are "the ones full of toxic nuclear waste" that they say is safe.

    These night trains - or ghost trains as they were sometimes called - were a big issue in Britain in the early 1980s with the fledgeling environmentalist movement. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Gary Louris of The Jayhawks

Gary Louris of The JayhawksSongwriter Interviews

The Jayhawks' song "Big Star" has special meaning to Gary, who explains how longevity and inspiration have trumped adulation.

Charlotte Caffey of The Go-Go's

Charlotte Caffey of The Go-Go'sSongwriter Interviews

Charlotte was established in the LA punk scene when a freaky girl named Belinda approached her wearing a garbage bag.

Howard Jones

Howard JonesSongwriter Interviews

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

Tom Waits Lyrics Quiz

Tom Waits Lyrics QuizMusic Quiz

Pool balls, magpies and thorns without roses - how well do you know your Tom Waits lyrics?

Christmas Songs

Christmas SongsFact or Fiction

Rudolf, Bob Dylan and the Singing Dogs all show up in this Fact or Fiction for seasonal favorites.

Ian Anderson: "The delight in making music is that you don't have a formula"

Ian Anderson: "The delight in making music is that you don't have a formula"Songwriter Interviews

Ian talks about his 3 or 4 blatant attempts to write a pop song, and also the ones he most connected with, including "Locomotive Breath."