Ten Favorite Train Songs: Mystery Train (#8)

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After a lovely day I'm ready to get the house cleaned up, work tomorrow (I had a "surprise" doctor's appointment flung on me by the VA Monday, and as we have an important project due Friday [and I only get paid for when I'm actually at work] I'm going to put in a couple of hours tomorrow to make up for the trip to Chicago last week), and give you another pair of train songs! I have two series going now, one with songs about trains and the other with songs that have the word train in the title. Here's the next train song. #8: Mystery Train - Bob Welch NOT THE ELVIS SONG. Bob Welch was part of Fleetwood Mac in the 70s. His departure made way for Lindsey Buckingham and his girlfriend, Stevie Nicks, to join and make Fleetwood Mac the band you think of when you hear the name Fleetwood Mac. During Welch's tenure, however, he made some great contributions to the band: "Emerald Eyes" and "Hypnotized" from Mystery to Me are gems, and his song "Sentimental Lady" from Bare Trees is a classic. When he released his first solo album, French Kiss, in 1977 his debut single was a reworking of "Sentimental Lady." With Fleetwood Mac riding high thanks to Rumours it was a good time to be affiliated with the band. That, sadly, didn't last: rapid-fire changes in music tastes as well as a less-than-stellar follow-up album (1979's Tusk, a double album that contains a whopping one song that I like [Christine McVie's "Think About Me"]) pushed Fleetwood Mac to the back burner. Welch's follow-up to French Kiss, Three Hearts, gave him his last top 20 hit ("Precious Love"). French Kiss was a terrific album, and it remains a 70s favorite. This is one of my favorite songs from the album. Despite sharing a title with an iconic song of Elvis' (originally by Junior Parker), it has nothing to do with the much better-known tune....well, except the singer's love is on the train. With Elvis, the train's leaving. Here, it's coming back ("once you get here, mystery train, it'll never be rainy again"). Bob Welch is the only member/former member of Fleetwood Mac who was not inducted with the band into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. That's terrible. Worse, it's too late to rectify it. After unsuccessful spinal surgery Welch was told he would be confined to a wheelchair and in pain for the rest of his life. After writing his wife a letter in which he explained he didn't want to be a burden on her (the way Welch's father had been late in life), Welch committed suicide. He was 66. He left behind a treasure trove of great music, most of which -- both in Fleetwood Mac and his solo career -- remains buried. Rest In Peace, Bob. We all know you are a Hall of Famer. Mystery Train Written by Bob Welch Recorded by Bob Welch From French Kiss, 1977 Yeah, and you're carrying something: