Introduction
While Willie Nelson’s smooth vocals brought “City of New Orleans” to country music fame in 1984, the song’s roots trace back a decade earlier. Steve Goodman, a rising folk singer, penned the lyrics in 1971, capturing the melancholic charm of a train ride on the Illinois Central Railroad’s “City of New Orleans” route.
Goodman’s version painted a vivid picture of the journey from Chicago to New Orleans, weaving in encounters with quirky characters and the rhythmic clickety-clack of the train tracks. Arlo Guthrie’s 1972 cover became the first commercially successful rendition, but it was Nelson’s easy drawl and signature guitar that cemented the song’s place in American music.
Nelson’s 1984 album, aptly titled “City of New Orleans,” featured his rendition alongside other covers. His version resonated with audiences, topping the U.S. country charts and solidifying the song’s status as a country classic. “City of New Orleans” transcended genre, however, becoming a folk and Americana staple as well.
So, as the opening guitar riff rings out, prepare to embark on a journey not just across the miles, but through time itself. Nelson’s smooth vocals will guide you through a bygone era, filled with smoky cafes, sleeping passengers, and the undeniable allure of the open road – or in this case, the iron rails. Let “City of New Orleans” whisk you away to a simpler time, a time when travel was an adventure and the rhythm of the train tracks lulled you into a world of possibility.