The song "City of New Orleans" was actually written and originally performed by Steve Goodman in 1971. David Hasselhoff covered the song in 1993. The lyrics describe a train journey on the City of New Orleans, a real passenger train that traveled from Chicago to New Orleans on the Illinois Central Railroad. The song represents a nostalgic and poetic depiction of the train journey and the people on board. The train starts its journey on Monday morning from Kankakee, Illinois, and travels through different towns, passing farms, fields, and freight yards. The lyrics mention "houses, farms, and fields," as well as "towns that have no names" and "graveyards of the rusted automobiles," which symbolize the passage of time and changing landscapes as seen from the train. Throughout the journey, the song brings attention to the people on the train. It mentions the riders, conductors, and even the mail being transported. The old men in the club car are playing cards and there is a sense of camaraderie among the passengers. The references to the sons of the pullman porters and engineers indicate a generational tradition of working on the railroads. The lyrics also mention the rhythm of the rails and the magic carpets made of steel, suggesting a sense of freedom and adventure that comes with train travel. It highlights the restlessness and dreams of the people on board, and how the train and its journey become an important part of their lives. The chorus, "Good morning America, how are you? Don't you know me, I'm your native son," speaks to the connection between the train and the American identity. It's a way of saying that the train represents America itself, carrying its people across vast distances. As the song comes to a close, the lyrics mention that twilight is falling on the City of New Orleans, and the passengers are halfway home. There is a sense of anticipation as they will arrive by morning, with no tomorrow waiting around the bend. This emphasizes the transient nature of train travel and the feeling of being in between places, always moving forward. Overall, "City of New Orleans" captures the essence of a train journey, the people on board, and the connection between the train and the American spirit. It's a poetic tribute to the beauty and enchantment of traveling by train and the stories and memories that are created along the way.
