Expert: Mel Priddle - 5/11/2004

Question
What is a mystery train? Somewhere I've read or heard that it was referring to a death train. In the song "Mystery Train" does it have any meaning?  It must mean something.  Thanks!

Answer
Hello Dot,

As I understand it, "Mystery Train", which was a re-working of an old black blues song, relates to the movement of labour from the South up to Chicago and Detroit during the 1920's and 30's.

The song's singer is lamenting the fact that he has seen his girlfriend leave on a northbound train and, now that she is dead, her body is returning to him on the same train. The reason for her death is not given.

As a young man trying to make his mark in the recording industry, I doubt very much that Elvis was too aware of the social history attached to the words when he recorded the song in 1955.

Hope that's been of help to you.

Cheers......Mel.