The Finch Formerly Known As Gold

1 September 2005

Good morning, America, how are you?

Lindsay Beyerstein remembers Steve Goodman's "City of New Orleans", a small hit for Goodman, a bigger one for Arlo Guthrie, a great song about trains — and a great song about America. (The words are here.)

And I admit, it never occurred to me that ABC's morning show actually got its name from this song.

Posted at 9:22 AM to Tongue and Groove


John Prine opined (in liner notes to Steve Goodman's Greatest Hits 2-CD set) that "City of New Orleans" may be the greatest train song ever written.

It is certainly the ONLY one that I know most of the words to.

Google "greatest train song" and explore what others have said.

Posted by: vic at 2:22 PM on 1 September 2005

"Good morning America, how are you?
Don't you know me, I'm your native son.
I'm the train they call The City of New Orleans,
I'll be gone five hundred miles when the day is done.

I don't know about greatest - but it's up there. And now I wonder if those who are newly parents may one day have to explain to their children what, and where, the 'City of New Orleans' was...

Posted by: Kathy K at 7:38 PM on 1 September 2005

I'm afraid you may be right.

We actually have one passenger train through these parts: the Heartland Flyer, which runs from here to Fort Worth. Ridership has been building of late.

Posted by: CGHill at 7:56 PM on 1 September 2005

Most recent version of the song was by Willie Nelson -- but I still prefer Arlo's version.

Posted by: McGehee at 4:21 PM on 2 September 2005