Mystery Train – Elvis Presley

Introduction

“Mystery Train” was authored and originally recorded by Junior Parker in 1953 for Sam Phillips’ Sun Records (Phillips receives a co-writing credit). Parker, a celebrated Blues artist from Memphis, gained his greatest recognition for this particular composition. His acclaim was more centered on his vocal prowess rather than his guitar skills, and he never attained the level of fame achieved by musicians such as Buddy Guy and B.B. King. Parker passed away at the age of 39 in 1971 due to a brain tumor.

“Mystery Train” is a song that has stood the test of time, becoming a rock and roll anthem and a defining moment in Elvis Presley’s career. Originally written and recorded by Junior Parker in 1953, the song’s infectious rhythm and blues-inspired melody caught the attention of Sam Phillips, the founder of Sun Records. Phillips saw the potential in the song and decided to have Elvis Presley, a young musician he had been recording, cover it.

Presley’s version of “Mystery Train” was released in 1955 as the B-side of the single “I Forgot to Remember to Forget.” The song quickly gained popularity, reaching number 10 on the Billboard R&B chart and helping to launch Presley’s career to stardom. “Mystery Train” is considered one of the earliest examples of rockabilly music, a genre that combined elements of blues, country, and rock and roll. The song’s driving rhythm, Presley’s energetic vocals, and the iconic guitar riffs of Scotty Moore helped to define the sound of rockabilly and set the stage for the explosion of rock and roll music in the years to come.

“Mystery Train” has been covered by numerous artists over the years, including Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, and the Stray Cats. The song has also been featured in a number of films and television shows, further cementing its place in popular culture.

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Lyrics

Train I ride, sixteen coaches long
Train I ride, sixteen coaches long
Well that long black train got my baby and gone

Train train, comin’ ’round, ’round the bend
Train train, comin’ ’round, ’round the bend
Well it took my baby, but it never will again
No, not again

Train train, comin’ down, down the line
Train train, comin’ down, down the line
Well it’s bringin’ my baby, ’cause she’s mine all, all mine
She’s mine, all, all mine

Train train, comin’ ’round, ’round the bend
Train train, comin’ ’round, ’round the bend
Well it took my baby, but it never will again
Never will again
(Ooh, woah)