I appreciate you reading, Tamara. The milk carton kids were such a staple of our youth. I heard the song the other day for the first time in years and it got me thinking...
When I saw the title I thought this was about Tom Petty’s “Runaway Train.”
Great writing and reporting, Sonny! You did all this? I’m impressed—and would definitely read a part two (and three!). I love the questions of the week, but your writing really shines in these longer pieces. Bravo!🤘💕
I prefer writing the longer pieces too. I’m actually working on a number of them at the moment, which is why it took so long to get a new one out. Plenty more to come in the not-too-distant future! 🤘
Man, you had my attention from beginning to end here Sonny. Hell of a piece. I remember seeing the video a few times, and it's all at a shame that the song wasn't quite as memorable as the video.
Thank you. This song and maybe even bescuae if the video gets me all the time.
It’s meant different things to me at different stages of my life.
I actually am glad that the subject matter is not about runaway kids. Because I resonate most with the origin story and which is why I connect to it differently as I grow older.
The video is a separate story altogether and just as heartbreaking and fascinating.
I felt myself choking up especially when you mention about those lost who were then found but also those never found.
There will forever be a special place in my heart with Dave Pirner’s name scribbled across it in big, bubble letters that I spent too long perfecting during Social Studies class.
Soul Asylum was my first concert at 16, I saw them again at a dive bar in Austin, and I’ve never stopped loving them.
I love knowing the background of the song. Thank you.🖤🎶
Such a powerful song and video! I was a preschool teacher when "Runaway Train" came out. I'd play guitar at circle time for the preschoolers, usually songs like "Wheels on the Bus" and "Old MacDonald", but, occasionally, I'd throw in at least the first few lines of "Runaway Train" just to see the teachers in the hall stop and look in our classroom doorway. The kids didn't seem to notice. They preferred when I played and sang Adam Sandler's "Red Hooded Sweatshirt".
The happiness in learning who was found and the utter sadness in learning who wasn’t.
I’m not ashamed to admit that I shed a tear or two while writing this.
I was 6 or 7 years old when this video was on MTV and it made me cry like a baby. I had to be consoled by my mom 😂
Terrific post, Sonny. This is the reason I'm part of Substack.
Thank you so much, Brad. I’ve been reading you since the Guitar World days and it really means a lot.
Fascinating. Thanks Sonny. The milk cartoon kids were so ever present for GenX. I had forgotten about this video though.
I appreciate you reading, Tamara. The milk carton kids were such a staple of our youth. I heard the song the other day for the first time in years and it got me thinking...
Great rabbit hole for GenX
That’s some great investigative journalism Sonny.
Thank you very much, Daniel.
This song crushed me upon first listening. Then came the video…
When I saw the title I thought this was about Tom Petty’s “Runaway Train.”
Great writing and reporting, Sonny! You did all this? I’m impressed—and would definitely read a part two (and three!). I love the questions of the week, but your writing really shines in these longer pieces. Bravo!🤘💕
Thanks, Sheila! 💕
I prefer writing the longer pieces too. I’m actually working on a number of them at the moment, which is why it took so long to get a new one out. Plenty more to come in the not-too-distant future! 🤘
I’m deeply familiar with the song but had actually never seen any of the versions of the video. Pretty incredible.
Man, you had my attention from beginning to end here Sonny. Hell of a piece. I remember seeing the video a few times, and it's all at a shame that the song wasn't quite as memorable as the video.
Thanks, AJ! And I totally agree. The video was so groundbreaking for its time that the song kind of fell by the wayside.
Dammmmm sonny, well done.
Thank you. This song and maybe even bescuae if the video gets me all the time.
It’s meant different things to me at different stages of my life.
I actually am glad that the subject matter is not about runaway kids. Because I resonate most with the origin story and which is why I connect to it differently as I grow older.
The video is a separate story altogether and just as heartbreaking and fascinating.
I felt myself choking up especially when you mention about those lost who were then found but also those never found.
There will forever be a special place in my heart with Dave Pirner’s name scribbled across it in big, bubble letters that I spent too long perfecting during Social Studies class.
Soul Asylum was my first concert at 16, I saw them again at a dive bar in Austin, and I’ve never stopped loving them.
I love knowing the background of the song. Thank you.🖤🎶
Such a powerful song and video! I was a preschool teacher when "Runaway Train" came out. I'd play guitar at circle time for the preschoolers, usually songs like "Wheels on the Bus" and "Old MacDonald", but, occasionally, I'd throw in at least the first few lines of "Runaway Train" just to see the teachers in the hall stop and look in our classroom doorway. The kids didn't seem to notice. They preferred when I played and sang Adam Sandler's "Red Hooded Sweatshirt".