Trains And Boats And Planes

Album: Essential Collection (1966)
Charted: 22
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This mournful ballad was written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David at their creative peak. After being turned down by Gene Pitney, it was recorded in quick succession by Anita Harris and Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas (both 1965), and the following year by Dionne Warwick. The Harris recording, on Pye, was backed by "Upside Down". The song has also been covered by Sandie Shaw (1969).
  • According to Dominic Salerno in Burt Bacharach, Song By Song..., it was first recorded by Bacharach himself (with orchestra and chorus) on the Kapp label as the B Side of "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" (no, not that "Don't Go Breaking My Heart"); it was released in May 1965.

    Of the song itself, Salerno says its travel motif "seemed to fit Bacharach's new jet-setting pace, as he began to spend most of his time in Europe - working, living with his new wife Angie Dickinson, conducting concerts with Marlene Dietrich and recording in England".
  • The distorted electric piano that opens the Dionne Warwick version may sound like Ray Charles on "What'd I Say" but this is coincidental, and "one consequence of working in English recording studios, which Bacharach considered sub-standard." Indeed! >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 3

Comments: 3

  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn this day in 1965 {May 28th} Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas performed "Trains and Boats and Planes" on the British ITV network's weekly musical variety program, 'Ready Steady Go!'...
    At the time the song was at position #20 on the United Kingdom's Official Top 50 Singles chart, two weeks later it would peak at #12 {for 1 week}...
    The week it peaked at #12, Burt Bacharach's original version was at #6 on the U.K. Singles chart, and two weeks later it peaked at #4 {for 1 week}...
    One year later on July 31st, 1966, Dionne Warwick's covered version would peak at #22 {for 1 week} on the U.S. Billboard's Top 100 chart...
    Between 1963 and 1965 the group had six records on the U.K. Singles chart, five made the Top 10 with two* reaching #1, "Bad To Me" for three weeks in August of 1963 and "Little Children" for two weeks in March of 1964...
    Leader Billy J. Kramer, born William Howard Ashton, will celebrate his 77th birthday in three months on August 19th, 2020...
    * The group just missed having a third #1 record when their "Do You Want To Know A Secret" peaked at #2 for two weeks in May of 1963, for the two weeks it was at #2, the #1 record for those two weeks was "From Me To You" by The Beatles...
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn July 13, 1966, Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas performed "Trains and Boats and Planes" on the Dick Clark produced ABC-TV network weekday-afternoon program 'Where The Action Is'...
    Exactly one year earlier on July 13th, 1965 the song was at #57 on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; two weeks later it would peak at #47 {for 1 week} and it spent 7 weeks on the Top 100...
    It reached #12 on the United Kingdom's Singles chart...
    And on the day that Billy & the boys were appearing on the 'Action' show, Dionne Warwick's covered version the song was at #35 on the Top 100, it would peak at #22...
    Between April 1964 and June 1965 Billy & boys had six records on the Hot Top 100; two made the Top 10, "Little Children" peaked at #7 for 1 week on June 7th, 1964 and "Bad To Me" reached #9 for 2 weeks on June 21st, 1964.
  • Glenn from Simi Valley, CaThis is my favorite David/Bacharach song. What incredible songwriting! As usual, Dionne Warwicks version is the best.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Jethro Tull

Jethro TullFact or Fiction

Stage urinals, flute devices, and the real Aqualung in this Fact or Fiction.

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino EditionMusic Quiz

Whether he's splitting ears or burning Nazis, Quentin Tarantino uses memorable music in his films. See if you can match the song to the scene.

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)Songwriter Interviews

Mike Rutherford talks about the "Silent Running" storyline and "Land Of Confusion" in the age of Trump.

Donald Fagen

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillian

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillianSong Writing

A Soul Train dancer takes us through a day on the show, and explains what you had to do to get camera time.