Discover the story of the song > Downbound Train – The Smithereens

The protagonist had a job and girlfriend but lost both. He now works at a car wash and feels like his life is going downhill. His girlfriend left him and he hears the train whistle at night, reminding him of her. One night he hears her voice and goes to their old wedding house, but finds out she's not there. He now works in the rain and feels like his life is a train going in the wrong direction.