Train In Vain was the Clash’s first top 40 hit in America, and in many ways signified changes for the band. Unlike the vast majority of their songs up to that point, it was a straightforward love song, more pop than punk–much more pop than punk. It seems to me it was also a sign of further experimentation with their music, leading to the sprawling style of Sandinista!.
Of course, it wasn’t the Clash’s first flirtation with pure pop (there was, of course, 1-2, Crush On You), but still this was much less tongue in cheek, much more honest. It’s a great pop song that has easily withstood the test of time.
It was nice this time around to find a ton of information about this song; in fact, more than I care to mention. There’s some great stuff at Wikipedia, and a pretty cool Blender article.
And of course, the lyrics:
You say you stand by your man
Tell me something I don’t understand
You said you love me and that’s a fact
Then you left me, said you felt trapped
Well some things you can explain away
But my heartache’s in me till this day
CHORUS
Did you stand by me
No, not at all
Did you stand by me
No way
All the times
When we were close
I’ll remember these things the most
I see all my dreams come tumbling down
I won’t be happy without you around
So all alone I keep the wolves at bay
There is only one thing that I can say
CHORUS
You must explain why this must be
Did you lie when you spoke to me
Did you stand by me
No, not at all
Now I got a job
But it don’t pay
I need new clothes
I need somewhere to stay
But without all these things I can do
But without your love I won’t make it through
But you don’t understand my point of view
I suppose there’s nothing I can do
CHORUS
You must explain why this must be
Did you lie when you spoke to me?
Did you stand by me
Did you stand by me
No, not at all
Did you stand by me
No way
Did you stand by me
No, not at all
Did you stand by me
No way
