"Silver Train" is a song by the English rock and roll band the Rolling Stones, from their 1973 album Goats Head Soup.[1] The lyrics deal with the singer's relationship with a prostitute.[2] Recording of the song had already begun in 1970 during sessions for Sticky Fingers. It also was the B-side of the single "Angie", which went to No. 1 in the US and top 5 in the UK.
| "Silver Train" | |
|---|---|
| Song by the Rolling Stones | |
| from the album Goats Head Soup | |
| A-side | "Angie" |
| Released | 1973 |
| Genre | |
| Length | 4:26 |
| Label | Rolling Stones/Atlantic |
| Songwriter(s) | Mick Jagger, Keith Richards |
| Producer(s) | Jimmy Miller |
| Goats Head Soup track listing | |
10 tracks
| |
Reception
editRolling Stone critic Bud Scoppa had this to say of the song:
Side two begins modestly with "Silver Train," a rock & roll song with a pre-rock flavor. The Stones' approach is like their treatment of "Stop Breaking Down," one of Exile's sleepers: lots of whiny slide guitar and harp. They also emphasize, with their ragged ensemble shouts, the song's appealing chorus. "Train" is the best of the album's secondary songs.[3]
Covers
editAfter hearing a demo of the tune, Johnny Winter recorded a cover of it for his album Still Alive and Well in 1973, months ahead of the Stones' release of Goats Head Soup.[2]
The Black Crowes covered the song live.[4] A cover of "Silver Train" also appears on the Carla Olson-Mick Taylor album Too Hot For Snakes, which was released in 1991.[5]
Live performances
editThe Rolling Stones played the song in concerts in 1973, but did not perform it again until 2014's 14 On Fire tour with Mick Taylor, who played on the original recording as a special guest.[6]
Personnel
editThe Rolling Stones
- Mick Jagger – lead and backing vocals, electric guitar, harmonica
- Keith Richards – backing vocals, electric guitar, bass guitar
- Mick Taylor – backing vocals, electric guitar
- Charlie Watts – drums
Additional personnel
- Ian Stewart – piano
References
edit- ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Review: Goat's Head Soup: Reviews, Songs, Credits". allmusic.com. AllMusic. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
- ^ a b Maginnis, Tom. "Song Review: Silver Train". allmusic.com. AllMusic. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
- ^ Scoppa, Bud (November 8, 1973). "Album Reviews: Goat's Head Soup". rollingstone.com. Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2007-10-01. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
- ^ "The Black Crowes: Silver Train (The Rolling Stones cover)". youtube.com. YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-20. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
- ^ Ankeny, Jason. "Review: Too Hot for Snakes". allmusic.com. AllMusic. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
- ^ "The Rolling Stones 14 on Fire Tour to Rock Singapore on 15 March 2014!". Mick Jagger. 13 February 2014. Retrieved December 20, 2021.