Train is an adult alternative/pop rock band from San Francisco, California. The group has had a number of lineup changes with the only consistent member being singer and co-founder Pat Monahan. Guitarist Jimmy Stafford and drummer Scott Underwood though had long tenures with the band, being members from its founding up until 2016 and 2013, respectively. Signed to Columbia Records since 1998, they have released eight studio albums, along with a Christmas album, a cover album and a Greatest Hits Album.
The band first made themselves known in 1998 with "Free", and hit the Top 40 for the first time with "Meet Virginia" two years later. Their next two hits, "Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)" and "Calling All Angels", came in 2001 and 2003. Then in 2010, they made their big comeback with "Hey, Soul Sister", their most successful single to date. Since then, they've maintained a steady presence on the charts.
"Tell me, did the tropes sweep you off your feet?":
- Age-Progression Song: "This'll Be My Year".
- Break-Up Song: "50 Ways to Say Goodbye" is arguably a Stealth Parody of this trope.
- Blatant Lies: "50 Ways to Say Goodbye" does not list 50 ways to say goodbye.
- Cover Album: Train Does Led Zeppelin II, a cover of the second Led Zeppelin album in its entirety. They learned the album for a live performance, then released a studio version for charity. Pat Monahan was once in a Led Zeppelin cover band, so he can sound uncannily like Robert Plant when he wants to.
- Exhort the Disc Jockey Song: "Play That Song" is a rather polite version of this trope.
- The Four Chords of Pop: "Hey, Soul Sister".
- Gratuitous Mariachi Band: In the music video for "50 Ways to Say Goodbye", as Pat breaks into song listing excuses for his girlfriend not being around, a mariachi band suddenly appears in the supermarket to back his vocals.
- Hurt Foot Hop: The music video for "50 Ways to Say Goodbye" sees this happen to Taryn Manning. After stepping on a pin, she clutches her foot and hops in pain, causing her to trip and fall down some stairs.
- Manic Pixie Dream Girl: "Meet Virginia" and probably others.
- New Old West: "Angel in Blue Jeans" has a country vein, the titular woman is compared to a gunslinger, and the song even has a Western-inspired video featuring Danny Trejo.
- New Sound Album: Their first few albums were built on the style of roots rock that was popular in the late 90s/early 2000s. Starting with Save Me, San Francisco, they decided to evolve with the times with more of a country-pop style that's helped them make a huge comeback.
- Not Staying for Breakfast: "Drive By" is about how Monahan regrets doing this.
- One-Woman Song: "Meet Virginia" and "Angel in Blue Jeans".
- Rearrange the Song: "Hey, Soul Sister" was sent to Country Music with mandolin, banjo and fiddle dubbed in.
- Shout-Out: "50 Ways to Say Goodbye" borrows its title (and partially the concept) from Paul Simon's "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover". The song was supposed to be called "50 Ways to Kill Your Lover", but this was cut due to fear of controversy.
- Silly Love Songs: "Marry Me", "If It's Love" and "Hey, Soul Sister".
- Title Track: Drops of Jupiter, though the title song from that album has its most recurring lyrics (Tell Me) as its subtitle.
- Vocal Evolution: Pat Monahan's voice has gotten a lot higher.
- What Does She See in Him?: "Mermaid" contains a mention:Sharks green with envy
They wonder what you see in me
Funny, but sometimes can't help but wonder that as well - Word Salad Lyrics: A recurring feature of their songs, particularly "Hey, Soul Sister" and "Drive By". This had gotten to the point where Todd in the Shadows has joked that Monahan is a schizophrenic with aphasia.
- Word Salad Title: Bulletproof Picasso.
