Train in Vain

"Train in Vain"
Single by the Clash
from the album London Calling
B-side"London Calling"
Released12 February 1980 (1980-02-12)
Recorded1979
StudioWessex Studios (London)
Genre
Length3:09
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Guy Stevens
The Clash singles chronology
"Clampdown"
(1980)		 "Train in Vain"
(1980)		 "Bankrobber"
(1980)
The Clash reissued singles chronology
"London Calling (2nd re-release)"
(1991)		 "Train in Vain (re-release)"
(1991)		 "Complete Control (live)"
(1999)
Audio
"Train in Vain" on YouTube

"Train in Vain" is a 1980 song by English punk rock band The Clash and is the third and final single from their third studio album London Calling. In the United States the song was re-titled Train in Vain (Stand by Me) to avoid confusion with the Ben E. King song Stand by Me. It went to number 23 in the United States, number 26 in New Zealand and number 62 in Canada. It was sampled by alternative rock band Garbage for their single Stupid Girl.

Formats and track listings

"Train in Vain" was released in mainland Europe as a 33 rpm single in June 1980 (catalogue number CBS 8370) and included the tracks "Bankrobber" and "Rockers Galore... UK Tour". In the UK, "Train in Vain" was not released as a single at the time; only "Bankrobber" and "Rockers Galore... UK Tour" were released on a 7" single in August 1980 (catalogue number CBS 8323). The song was released in the US as a 10" white label promo in 1979 (catalogue number AS 749). The US commercial release of 12 February 1980 (catalogue number 50851) consisted of a 7" that included the track "London Calling". The 1991 UK re-release (catalogue number 657430 7) included the track "The Right Profile". The formats and track listings of "Train in Vain (Stand By Me)" are tabulated below:

Year B-side Format Label Country Note
1979 "Train in Vain (Stand by Me)" – 3:10 33⅓ rpm 10" vinyl Epic AS 749 US Promo
1980 "London Calling" 45 rpm 7" vinyl Epic 50851 US
1980
  1. "Bankrobber" – 4:33
  2. "Rockers Galore... UK Tour" – 4:39
 33⅓ rpm 7" vinyl CBS 8370 Europe
1991 "The Right Profile" – 3:51 45 rpm 7" vinyl Columbia 657430 7 UK Reissue
1991
  1. "The Right Profile" – 3:55
  2. "Train In Vain ('91 7" Remix)" – 3:02
  3. "Death or Glory" – 3:56
 CD Columbia 657430 5 UK Reissue
1980 "The Right Profile" Cassette tape CBS 50851 UK

References

  1. ↑ Partridge, Kenneth. "The Clash's 'London Calling' at 35: Classic Track-by-Track Album Review". Billboard. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  2. ↑ Taylor, Tom (February 12, 2021). "The Story Behind The Song: The Clash's punk rock classic 'Train in Vain (Stand by Me)'". Far Out. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  3. ↑ Nascimento, Débora (October 2009). "The Clash: Clássico do rock politizado chega (atual) aos 30 anos". Continente multicultural (in Portuguese). No. 106. p. 83. Archived from the original on 2023-05-11. Retrieved 2023-05-11.
  4. ↑ Egan, Sean (2009). Los discos del cambio (in Spanish). Ediciones Robinbook. p. 251. ISBN 9788496924475.
  5. ↑ "Albums by The Clash — Rate Your Music". rateyourmusic.com. Retrieved 3 December 2007.