“Long Train Running” is a song recorded by The Doobie Brothers….after being written by band member Tom Johnston…..which was included on the band’s 1973 album The Captain and Me….and released as a single….while becoming a top 10 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at # 8.
It was covered by Italian band Traks in 1982….and then by English girl group Bananarama in 1991…..then In 1993, The Doobie Brothers version was re-mixed….and charted again in several countries…. including reaching # 7 in the UK Singles Chart.
The tune evolved from an untitled and mostly ad-libbed jam that the Doobies developed onstage years before it was finally recorded….as its working title, according to Johnston, was “Rosie Pig Moseley” and later “Osborn”…..when Johnson later confessed “I didn’t want to cut it,” Johnston later confessed. “…I just considered it a bar song without a lot of merit. Teddy [Templeman], on the other hand, thought it had some.” Templeman convinced Johnston to write words to the song….which he did when performed, Johnson sang lead vocals….and played the rhythmic guitar strumming that propels the song.
As seen in this video herewith…..The Doobie Brothers perform “Long Train Running” live at their Farewell Concert in 1983.
