Steve Goodman’s “City of New Orleans” is a classic song that has captured the hearts of many Americans. The song was originally written and performed by Steve Goodman in 1971. It has since been covered by numerous artists, including Willie Nelson, who had a hit with it in 1984.
The Inspiration Behind the Song
Goodman’s inspiration for the song came from a train ride he took from Chicago to New Orleans. The train was called “The City of New Orleans,” and it traveled through the heart of America’s heartland. Goodman was struck by the beauty of the landscape and the people he met on the train. He was inspired to write a song that captured the essence of this journey.
The Lyrics of “City of New Orleans”
The lyrics of “City of New Orleans” are a reflection of Goodman’s experience on the train. They describe the landscape and the people he saw along the way. The song has a nostalgic, wistful quality that captures the essence of America’s heartland. Here are the lyrics:
Riding on the City of New Orleans
Illinois Central, Monday morning rail
Fifteen cars and fifteen restless riders
Three conductors and twenty-five sacks of mail.
All along the southbound odyssey
The train pulls out at Kankakee
And rolls along past houses, farms, and fields
Passin’ trains that have no names,
Freight yards full of old black men
And the graveyards of the rusted automobiles.
Dealin’ card games with the old men in the club car
Penny a point, ain’t no one keepin’ score
Pass the paper bag that holds the bottle
Feel the wheels rumblin’ ‘neath the floor.
And the sons of pullman porters
And the sons of engineers
Ride their father’s magic carpets made of steel.
Mothers with their babes asleep
Rockin’ to the gentle beat
And the rhythm of the rails is all they feel.
The Legacy of “City of New Orleans”
“City of New Orleans” has become a beloved anthem of America’s heartland. It has been covered by numerous artists, including Willie Nelson, who had a hit with it in 1984. The song has also been featured in movies, TV shows, and commercials. It has become a part of the American cultural landscape.
Conclusion
Steve Goodman’s “City of New Orleans” is a classic song that captures the essence of America’s heartland. It was inspired by Goodman’s train ride from Chicago to New Orleans, and it has become a beloved anthem of this region. The lyrics of the song are a reflection of the landscape and the people of America’s heartland. Its legacy has endured for decades, and it continues to inspire new generations of Americans.
