Soul Asylum - "Runaway Train"

This was my oldest sister's favorite song when I was a kid. She would make us all shut up when it came on the radio, she bought the CD with her allowance, and if I noticed she was upset, I could sing it and get her to feel marginally better.
I love this song. I can listen to it at night and fall asleep to it, and it makes me happy in a desperate sort of no-one-understands-me-either sort of way (which is sometimes exactly what I need.)

The '90's will never be as beloved to me as the 1980's were; too much crap happened in those years, and there's a lot that I would just as soon forget when I look back on that decade. But this song... I never want to forget this song, never want to forget sitting on the kitchen floor with my arms around my sister's shoulders, singing softly and rocking from side to side, back and forth, until both of us calmed down.

I'm the youngest child; a full six years separate me from my oldest sister. A lot of her friends frightened me, and I didn't understand a lot of what she was going through. I don't know if I ever really understood what she was going through when I sang her this song... but I do remember feeling worthwhile when she'd stop crying (I HATE to see my sisters cry) and press a kiss to my forehead.

Runaway train burning in my veins, Runaway but it always seems the same.

Call you up in the middle of the night
Like a firefly without a light
You were there like a slow torch burning
I was a key that could use a little turning

So tired that I couldn't even sleep
So many secrets I couldn't keep
Promised myself I wouldn't weep
One more promise I couldn't keep

It seems no one can help me now
I'm in too deep
There's no way out
This time I have really led myself astray

CHORUS
Runaway train never going back
Wrong way on a one way track
Seems like I should be getting somewhere
Somehow I'm neither here nor there

Can you help me remember how to smile
Make it somehow all seem worthwhile
How on earth did I get so jaded
Life's mystery seems so faded

I can go where no one else can go
I know what no one else knows
Here I am just drownin' in the rain
With a ticket for a runaway train

Everything is cut and dry
Day and night, earth and sky
Somehow I just don't believe it

CHORUS
Runaway train never going back
Wrong way on a one way track
Seems like I should be getting somewhere
Somehow I'm neither here nor there

Bought a ticket for a runaway train
Like a madman laughin' at the rain
Little out of touch, little insane
Just easier than dealing with the pain

Runaway train never comin' back
Runaway train tearin' up the track
Runaway train burnin' in my veins
Runaway but it always seems the same