Runaway Train

Smokie's song "Runaway Train" delves into the emotional turmoil and existential crisis of an individual who feels lost and disconnected from life. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of someone who is struggling with inner demons and a sense of hopelessness. The metaphor of a runaway train symbolizes a life that is out of control, moving in the wrong direction, and unable to find a way back to stability or happiness.

The song opens with a sense of desperation, as the narrator reaches out in the middle of the night, feeling like a firefly without a light. This imagery suggests a search for guidance or a sense of purpose. The narrator's exhaustion and inability to sleep reflect the weight of the secrets and promises they cannot keep, further emphasizing their sense of being overwhelmed and trapped. The repeated mention of the runaway train underscores the feeling of being on a path with no return, highlighting the inevitability of their downward spiral.

As the song progresses, the narrator questions how they became so jaded and disconnected from life's mysteries. The plea for help to remember how to smile and make life seem worthwhile indicates a deep yearning for meaning and joy. The imagery of drowning in the rain with a ticket for a runaway train encapsulates the sense of being engulfed by sorrow and unable to escape. The song's chorus reinforces the idea of being stuck on a one-way track, unable to find a way forward or back, and feeling neither here nor there.

The final verses of the song convey a sense of resignation and acceptance of the narrator's fate. The comparison to a madman laughing at the rain and the acknowledgment of being a little out of touch and insane suggest that the narrator finds it easier to embrace their pain rather than confront it. The runaway train becomes a symbol of the burning turmoil within, a relentless force that the narrator cannot escape, no matter how far they run.