Train has had an interesting career. I wouldn’t call them popular in any real sense and yet, every few years they come out with a song that really hits it big and becomes inescapable on radio.
In 1998, their debut album featured the hit single ‘Meet Virginia’ and they were poised for stardom on the strength of that Counting Crows-esque tune. That didn’t quite happen but their sophomore album, Drops of Jupiter, did produce another mega-hit in its title track. That song won two Grammys and stayed on the singles chart for more than a year.
But despite going double platinum, the album didn’t produce any more hit songs. It wasn’t until 2003’s My Private Nation that they would have another hit, with opening single ‘Calling All Angels.’
Their next album didn’t make any waves at all and the band took a break before releasing last year’s Save Me San Francisco. The lead single from that album was today’s SOTD, ‘Hey Soul Sister,’ which I have yet to hear but apparently is their biggest success to date.
It actually came out earlier this year but has had enough staying power to be in the summer mix.
Listening to it for the first time, I like it a lot. It has the same laid-back island feel of Jason Mraz’s ‘I’m Yours’ and you have to like a song that name drops Mr. Mister.
Your lipstick stains on the front lobe of my left side brains
I knew I wouldn’t forget you, and so I went and let you blow my mind
Your sweet moon beam, the smell of you in every single dream I dream
I knew when we collided, you’re the one I have decided who’s one of my kind
Hey soul sister, ain’t that Mr. Mister on the radio, stereo
The way you move ain’t fair, you know!
Hey soul sister, I don’t want to miss a single thing you do…tonight
Hey, hey,hey
Just in time, I’m so glad you have a one-track mind like me
You gave my life direction, a game show love connection we can’t deny
I’m so obsessed, my heart is bound to beat right out my untrimmed chest
I believe in you, like a virgin, you’re Madonna, and I’m always gonna wanna blow your mind
Hey soul sister, ain’t that Mr. Mister on the radio, stereo
The way you move ain’t fair, you know!
Hey soul sister, I don’t want to miss a single thing you do…tonight
The way you can cut a rug, watching you’s the only drug I need
You’re so gangsta, I’m so thug, you’re the only one I’m dreaming of
You see, I can be myself now finally, in fact there’s nothing I can’t be
I want the world to see you be with me
Hey soul sister, ain’t that Mr. Mister on the radio, stereo, the way you move ain’t fair, you know!
Hey soul sister, I don’t want to miss a single thing you do tonight,
Hey soul sister, I don’t want to miss a single thing you do…tonight
Hey, hey,hey
Hey, hey,hey
Tonight
Meet Me In Montauk 
I’ve heard this song a lot since its release, yet I never made the connection that Train performs it. I have always loved “Drops of Jupiter” and therefore have a very soft spot for this band I know not at all.
Not sure is this song satisfies the summer single category, but I’m glad to see it featured here just the same.
Hard to imagine you missed this song. You really do live in a no-radio bubble.
Anyway, since many great bands and artists are lucky to have even one hit, I don’t think Train is crying the blues when they don’t get a hit every time out. I think it shows that they have enough savvy to make a hit, while maintaining enough songwriting integrity to also put out some good work that doesn’t always connect with the masses.
This song is undoubtedly catchy and a nice piece of pop writing as well.