Robert Wright has recently published an article online about Tom Waits and the artist who have covered his songs. One of the artist he reviewed is Rod and his rendition of “Downtown Train”. Here is a link for SMILER members to read what Robert wrote about Rod.
“Downtown Train”
– Appears on The Very Best of Rod Stewart by Rod Stewart (2001)
Rod Stewart’s cover of this “hit-song-incognito” brought attention to Waits as a “hit” songwriter when “Downtown Train” rocketed to #2 on the Singles Chart in 1990. Waits’s original version contained all the necessary material: the catchy melody, the upbeat tempo, and the lyrics of love’s expectation. Using these same elements, and mixing them with his sultry, yet macho vocals, Stewart shaped this underground lament into a pop ballad of longing, the ideal “upbeat-blues.” The average radio listener appreciates “The Rod’s” enthusiasm and performance, especially for a song that evokes mental images of street corner girls and midnight trains. However, there are those who call themselves “true fans of Waits” ( i.e., stalkers) that think Stewart’s version lacks the depth of feeling that Waits’s original recording held, but this is best judged by the listener.
If you are interested in the full article, if can be found at:
https://www.emptymirrorbooks.com/features/tom-waits-cover-songs.html