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

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillian

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillianSong Writing

A Soul Train dancer takes us through a day on the show, and explains what you had to do to get camera time.

Wang Chung Pick The Top Songs Of The '80s

Wang Chung Pick The Top Songs Of The '80sSongwriter Interviews

'80s music ambassadors Wang Chung pick their top tracks of the decade, explaining what makes each one so special.

Mike Campbell

Mike CampbellSongwriter Interviews

Mike is lead guitarist with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and co-writer of classic songs like "Boys Of Summer," "Refugee" and "The Heart Of The Matter."

Leslie West of Mountain

Leslie West of MountainSongwriter Interviews

From the cowbell on "Mississippi Queen" to recording with The Who when they got the wrong Felix, stories from one of rock's master craftsmen.

Daryl Hall

Daryl HallSongwriter Interviews

Daryl Hall's TV show is a hit, and he's been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - only one of these developments excites him.

Zac Hanson

Zac HansonSongwriter Interviews

Zac tells the story of Hanson's massive hit "MMMbop," and talks about how brotherly bonds effect their music.