Love Train (Holly Johnson song)

"Love Train" is a song by English singer Holly Johnson, released in 1989 as the lead single from his debut solo album Blast. It was written by Johnson, and produced by Andy Richards and Steve Lovell, with additional production by Stephen Hague. The song reached No. 4 in the UK, spending 11 weeks on the chart, and was certified Silver by BPI in February 1989.[1] In the US, the song reached No. 65 on the Billboard Hot 100.[2][3]

"Love Train"
Single by Holly Johnson
from the album Blast
B-side"Murder in Paradise"
Released3 January 1989
Recorded1988
GenrePop
Length4:02
LabelMCA Records
Songwriter(s)Holly Johnson
Producer(s)Andy Richards, Steve Lovell
Holly Johnson singles chronology
"Hobo Joe"
(1980)		 "Love Train"
(1989)		 "Americanos"
(1989)

"Love Train" features a guitar solo from Queen guitarist Brian May, and backing vocals from Don Snow and Lance Ellington.[4] The single's B-side, "Murder in Paradise", was a non-album track exclusive to the single. A music video was filmed to promote the single, directed by Marco Cerere, while Johnson also performed the song on the UK music show Top of the Pops.[5]

Critical reception

Upon release, New Musical Express described the song as a "disco anthem of love".[6] Steve Sutherland of Melody Maker commented: "Blast is essentially a dance LP. There are exceptions but mostly it's smart, ankle-shuffling stuff like the cute mini-masterpiece of pneumatic innuendo, "Love Train"."[7] Johnny Dee of Record Mirror described the song as "the perfect commercial pop song".[8]

American newspaper Record-Journal wrote: "Best songs are cuts such as "Love Train," where Holly shows that soul and dance music are not necessarily exclusive of each other. If Simply Red had any energy these days, this is how Mick Hucknall would sound."[9] In May 1989, Billboard picked the song as "new and noteworthy". They pointed out the song's "lyrical hook and percolating rhythm charm".[10]

Track listing
7" Single
  1. "Love Train" - 3:59
  2. "Murder in Paradise" - 4:26
7" Single (Mexican promo)
  1. "Love Train" - 4:01
  2. "Love Train" - 4:01
12" Single
  1. "Love Train (Ride The 'A' Train)" - 6:52
  2. "Love Train (Stoke It Up) (7" Mix)" - 3:59
  3. "Murder in Paradise" - 4:26
12" Remix Single (American "Previously Unreleased Mixes" release)
  1. "Love Train (Americana Big Beat Version)" - 6:35
  2. "Love Train (Iron-Horse Instrumental)" - 5:00
  3. "Love Train (Americana 12" Version)" - 6:20
  4. "Love Train (Bonus Big Beat Radio Version)" - 4:30
  5. "Love Train (Americana Pop Version)" - 4:00
CD Single
  1. "Love Train (Ride The 'A' Train)" - 6:54
  2. "Love Train (Stoke It Up) (7" Mix)" - 4:02
  3. "Murder in Paradise" - 4:27
CD Single (German release)
  1. "Love Train (12" Mix)" - 6:56
  2. "Love Train (7" Mix)" - 4:03
  3. "Murder in Paradise" - 4:28
CD Single (Japanese release)
  1. "Love Train" - 4:03
  2. "Murder in Paradise" - 4:28
Cassette Single
  1. "Love Train (Ride The 'A' Train)" - 6:54
  2. "Love Train (Stoke It Up) (7" Mix)" - 4:02
  3. "Murder in Paradise" - 4:27
Cassette Single (American release)
  1. "Love Train" - 4:02
  2. "Murder in Paradise" - 4:27

Chart performance
Chart (1989) Peak
position
Australian Singles Chart[11] 35
Austrian Singles Chart[12] 17
Belgian Singles Chart (Vl)[13] 15
Canadian Singles Chart[14][15] 56
Dutch Singles Chart[16] 12
German Singles Chart[17] 4
Irish Singles Chart[18] 5
Italian Singles Chart[19] 21
Japanese Singles Chart (Tokyo)[20] 15
New Zealand Singles Chart[21] 20
Norwegian Singles Chart[22] 10
Polish Singles Chart 12
Swedish Singles Chart[23] 14
Swiss Singles Chart[24] 8
UK Singles Chart[2] 4
US Billboard Hot 100[3] 65

Remixes and B-sides
  • "Love Train (Stoke It Up)" (7" Mix) - 4:02
  • "Love Train" (Ride the 'A' Train Mix) - 6:54
  • "Love Train" (Americana Big Beat Version) - 6:42
  • "Love Train" (Iron Horse Instrumental) - 4:53
  • "Love Train" (Americana 12" Version) - 6:24
  • "Love Train" (Bonus Big Beat Radio Version) - 4:38
  • "Love Train" (Americana Pop Version) - 3:58
  • "Murder in Paradise" - 4:26

Personnel

Love Train
  • Producer – Andy Richards, Steve Lovell
  • Additional Producer, Mixer – Stephen Hague
  • Keyboard Programming – Andy Richards, Marius de Vries
  • Engineer – Dave Meegan, Mike "Spike" Drake, Tony Phillips
  • Vocals - Holly Johnson
  • Backing Vocals – Don Snow, Lance Ellington
  • Guitar – Brian May, Neil Taylor
  • Writer – Holly Johnson

Frankie Knuckles Remixes
  • Remixes – Frankie Knuckles
  • Additional Remix Producer – Frankie Knuckles, Peter "Ski" Schwartz, Satoshi Tomiie
  • Remix Engineer – John Poppo

Murder in Paradise
  • Producer – Holly Johnson
  • Arranger – Guy Chambers, Holly Johnson, Nick Bagnall
  • Keyboard Programming – Holly Johnson, Nick Bagnall, Guy Chambers
  • Engineer – Tim Hunt
  • Vocals - Holly Johnson
  • Guitar – Nick Bagnall
  • Writer – Holly Johnson

Other
  • Single Artwork – Accident

References
  1. Archived September 10, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  2. "holly-johnson | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2017-07-01.
  3. Billboard (1989-07-08). "Holly Johnson Love Train Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-05-23.
  4. "Holly Johnson - Blast (CD, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2018-05-23.
  5. "HQ - Holly Johnson - Love Train - Top of the Pops 1989". YouTube. 2008-06-04. Retrieved 2012-10-08.
  6. "Zang Tuum Tumb and all that | Articles | Holly Johnson: Blast". Zttaat.com. 1989-04-22. Retrieved 2012-10-08.
  7. "Zang Tuum Tumb and all that | Articles | Rocket man". Zttaat.com. 1989-04-22. Retrieved 2012-10-08.
  8. "Zang Tuum Tumb and all that | Articles | Holly-er than thou". Zttaat.com. 1989-09-23. Retrieved 2012-10-08.
  9. "Record-Journal - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com. Retrieved 2016-11-09.
  10. Billboard magazine - Single reviews - May 27, 1989 - page 73
  11. Steffen Hung. "Holly Johnson - Love Train". australian-charts.com. Retrieved 2012-10-08.
  12. Steffen Hung. "Holly Johnson - Love Train". austriancharts.at. Retrieved 2018-05-23.
  13. "Holly Johnson - Love Train". ultratop.be. Retrieved 2012-10-08.
  14. "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved 2012-10-08.
  15. "Results - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved 2012-10-08.
  16. Steffen Hung. "Holly Johnson - Love Train". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 2012-10-08.
  17. "charts.de". charts.de. Retrieved 2012-10-08.
  18. Jaclyn Ward. "The Irish Charts - All there is to know". Irishcharts.ie. Retrieved 2012-10-08.
  19. "Hit Parade Italia - Indice per Interprete: J". Hitparadeitalia.it. Retrieved 2012-10-08.
  20. "J-WAVE WEBSITE : TOKIO HOT100". J-wave.co.jp. Retrieved 2012-10-08.
  21. Steffen Hung. "Holly Johnson - Love Train". charts.nz. Retrieved 2012-10-08.
  22. Steffen Hung. "Holly Johnson - Love Train". norwegiancharts.com. Retrieved 2012-10-08.
  23. Steffen Hung. "Holly Johnson - Love Train". swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 2012-10-08.
  24. Steffen Hung. "Holly Johnson - Love Train". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 2012-10-08.
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