"Train in Vain" is a 1980 song by British punk rock band The Clash and is the third and final single from their third studio album London Calling. In the United States the song was re-titled Train in Vain (Stand by Me) to avoid confusion with the Ben E. King song Stand by Me. It went to number 23 in the United States, number 26 in New Zealand and number 62 in Canada. It was sampled by alternative rock band Garbage for their single Stupid Girl.
Formats and track listings
"Train in Vain" was released in mainland Europe as a 33 rpm single in June 1980 (catalogue number CBS 8370) and included the tracks "Bankrobber" and "Rockers Galore... UK Tour". In the UK, "Train in Vain" was not released as a single at the time; only "Bankrobber" and "Rockers Galore... UK Tour" were released on a 7" single in August 1980 (catalogue number CBS 8323). The song was released in the US as a 10" white label promo in 1979 (catalogue number AS 749). The US commercial release of 12 February 1980 (catalogue number 50851) consisted of a 7" that included the track "London Calling". The 1991 UK re-release (catalogue number 657430 7) included the track "The Right Profile". The formats and track listings of "Train in Vain (Stand By Me)" are tabulated below:[5]
| Year
|
B-side
|
Format
|
Label
|
Country
|
Note
|
|---|
| 1979
|
"Train in Vain (Stand by Me)" – 3:10
|
33⅓ rpm 10" vinyl
|
Epic AS 749
|
US
|
Promo
|
| 1980
|
"London Calling"
|
45 rpm 7" vinyl
|
Epic 50851
|
US
|
|
| 1980
|
- "Bankrobber" – 4:33
- "Rockers Galore... UK Tour" – 4:39
|
33⅓ rpm 7" vinyl
|
CBS 8370
|
Europe
|
|
| 1991
|
"The Right Profile" – 3:51
|
45 rpm 7" vinyl
|
Columbia 657430 7
|
UK
|
Reissue
|
| 1991
|
- "The Right Profile" – 3:55
- "Train In Vain ('91 7" Remix)" – 3:02
- "Death or Glory" – 3:56
|
CD
|
Columbia 657430 5
|
UK
|
Reissue
|
| 1980
|
"The Right Profile"
|
Cassette tape
|
CBS 50851
|
UK
|
|
References