Nov 14, 20202 min read

City of New Orleans (1972) 11/15/20

Interesting story today, with lots of links. Check 'em out!

In 1970, singer/songwriter Steve Goodman took a train trip from Chicago to New Orleans that inspired today's “Great Song of the '70s!” The name of the train became the name of the song. :-)

Steve recorded it for his self-titled album in 1971, but nothing came of it. However, one night in 1972, Steve spotted Arlo Guthrie in a Chicago bar, and asked if he could play the song for him. Arlo grudgingly agreed, with two conditions:

#1: Steve would buy him a beer.

#2: He'd only have to listen until he was done drinking said beer.

The beer was bought, the song was sung...and Arlo was impressed. He asked Steve is he could record it—which was exactly what Steve was hoping for.

So Arlo recorded the song for his album, “Hobo's Lullaby,” and when “City of New Orleans” was released as a single, the song went to #4 on Billboard's Easy Listening Chart, and #11 on Canada's Top 40. It was Arlo's only hit single, and it became a soft rock standard for years.

In 1984, Willie Nelson released a version that did even better: #1 on the Country Charts in both the US and Canada, and #2 on Canada's Adult Contemporary Chart. Willie's version won the Grammy for “Best Country Song,” but unfortunately, Steve had died of leukemia (at age 36) by the time the award was announced, making his award posthumous.

SAD TRIVIA: Steve was a HUGE Chicago Cubs fan, and wrote a number of songs for the team. In 1984, it looked like the Cubs were going to make the playoffs and Steve was asked to sing the National Anthem before game #1 if it came to pass. Four days after his death, the Cubs clinched the Eastern Division of the National League, their first visit to the postseason since 1945—3 years BEFORE Steve was born. Jimmy Buffett filled in, dedicating the song to Steve's memory.

“City of New Orleans:” The lasting legacy of Steve Goodman...and a “Great Song of 1972—and 1984.”

Arlo Guthrie (1972):