"The Memphis Train" was a 1968 single for Rufus Thomas. It was a minor hit for him that year. It was also recorded by Buddy Miles who released it as a single the following year and had greater chart success with it. Rufus Thomas version
Background "The Memphis Train" was composed by Mack Rice, Willie Sparks and Rufus Thomas. Thomas is credited as a co-composer due to his adding a bit more to the song later.The Complete Stax Singles 1959 - 1968, Page 37 It was backed with "I Think I Made a Boo Boo" and released on Stax 45-250 in 1968.45Cat - Rufus Thomas The Memphis Train Steve Cropper played guitar on the session as well as produced it.
Even though the record had promise and was successful locally, it didn't break through nationally.Funkiest Man Alive, By Matthew Ruddick · 2023 - - Page 200 MEMPHIS QUEEN
Reception The single was reviewed in the 30 March 1968 issue of Cash Box, where it was one of the Picks of the Week. The belting rhythm and explosive vocals were noted, with reviewer calling it an exciting dance side. It was also given a high R&B chart prediction.Cash Box, March 30, 1968 - Page 24 Cash Box Record Reviews, Picks of the Week, RUFUS THOMAS (Stax 250) The Memphis Train (2:30) Also that week, Record World reported big sales for the record in Chicago. It was also a pick at station, WVON.Record World, March 30, 1968 - Page 34 record world r&b BEAT WHERE IT'S AT, Powerful Sales in Chicago Off WVON Pick: "Memphis Train," Rufus Thomas. Charts Cash Box Top 50 In R&B Locations For the week of 6 April 1968, "The Memphis Train" was at No. 49 in the Cash Box Top 50 In R&B Locations chart.Cash Box, April 6, 1968 - Page 40 Cash Box Top 50 In R&B Locations, 49 THE MEMPHIS TRAIN Rufus Thomas (Stax 250) It held that position for one more week.Cash Box, April 13, 1968 - Page 38 Cash Box Top 50 In R&B Locations, 49 THE MEMPHIS TRAIN Rufus Thomas (Stax 250)
Buddy Miles version
Background Steve Cropper was flown from Memphis into New York, where he played on and produced Buddy Miles' version of "The Memphis Train". Funkiest Man Alive, By Matthew Ruddick · 2023 - - Page 200 MEMPHIS QUEEN With the title shortened to "Memphis Train", it was backed with "My Chant" which was produced by Jimi Hendrix. Both songs were released on single, Mercury Records 72945 in 1969.45Cat - Buddy Miles Express Memphis Train Reception "Memphis Train" was a Billboard Top 60 Spotlight single for the week of 19 July. With the reviewer referring to the record as a funky blues rhythm item, good chart action was predicted.Billboard, July 19, 1969 - Page 17 Spotlight Singles, Top 60 Spotlight, BUDDY MILES EXPRESS -MEMPHIS TRAIN
The single was a Cash Box Choice Programming single for the week of 19 July. With the reviewer thinking that Buddy Miles' version was a variation on his earlier single, "Train", the single was said to bolt with blues and underground impact. An impact in sales was predicted.Cash Box, July 19, 1969 - Page 36 Cash Box Record Reviews, Choice Programming, BUDDY MILES EXPRESS (Mercury 72945) Memphis Train (2: 55)
The single was a Four Star Pick in the 19 July issue of Record World. The reviewer praised Steve Cropper's production, calling it tops, he also said that this could be the best thing that Buddy Miles had put on record.Record World, July 19, 1969 - Page 200 record world FOUR STAR PICKS Single Reviews, BUDDY MILES EXPRESS -Mercury 72945. MEMPHIS TRAIN (Pronto, BMI)
Charts Cash Box Looking Ahead For the week of 26 July 1969, "Memphis Train" debuted at No. 35 in the Cash Box Looking Ahead chart.Cash Box, July 19, 1969 - Page 28 Cash Box Looking AheadCash Box, July 26, 1969 - Page 16 Cash Box Looking Ahead, 35 MEMPHIS TRAIN (Pronto - BMI) Buddy Miles (Mercury 72945) It peaked at No. 23 for the week of 30 August.Cash Box, August 23, 1968 - 39 Cash Box Looking Ahead, 40 MEMPHIS TRAIN (Pronto - BMI) Buddy Miles (Mercury 72945)Cash Box, August 30, 1969 - Page 41 Cash Box Looking Ahead, 23 MEMPHIS TRAIN (Pronto - BMI) Buddy Miles (Mercury 72945)Cash Box, September 6, 1969 - Page 40 Cash Box Looking Ahead Billboard Bubbling Under the Hot 100 For the week of 2 August, the single debuted at No. 122 in the Billboard Bubbling Under the Hot 100 chart.Billboard, August 2, 1969 - Page 62 BUBBLING UNDER THE HOT 100, 122. MEMPHIS TRAIN ... Buddy Miles Express, Mercury 72945 It peaked at No. 114 for the week of 16 August.Billboard, August 9, 1969 - Page 102 BUBBLING UNDER THE HOT 100, 121. MEMPHIS TRAIN ... Buddy Miles Express, Mercury 72945Billboard, August 16, 1969 - Page 80 BUBBLING UNDER THE HOT 100, 114. MEMPHIS TRAIN ... Buddy Miles Express, Mercury 72945Billboard, August 23, 1969 - Page 99 BUBBLING UNDER THE HOT 100 Billboard Hot 100 For the week of 23 August, "Memphis Train" debuted at No. 100 in the Billboard Hot 100 chart.Billboard, August 23, 1969 - Page 99 Billboard HOT 100 FOR WEEK ENDING AUGUST 23, 1969, THIS WEEK 100, 1 Wk. Ago _, 2 Wks. Ago _, 3 Wks. Ago _, MEMPHIS TRAIN Buddy Miles Express (Steve Cropper) Mercury 72945, Weeks On Chart 1 It didn't progress any further.Billboard, August 30, 1969 - Page 70 Billboard HOT 100 FOR WEEK ENDING AUGUST 30, 1969 Record World Singles Coming Up The single also made the Record World Singles Coming Up chart. It was at No. 30 for the week of 16 August.Record World, August 16, 1969 - Page 38 record world Singles Coming Up, 30. MEMPHIS TRAIN (Pronto, BMI) Buddy Miles-Mercury 72945 It peaked at No. 27 for the week of 6 September.Record World, August 30, 1969 - Page 27 record world Singles Coming Up, 28. MEMPHIS TRAIN (Pronto, BMI) Buddy Miles-Mercury 72945Record World, September 6, 1969 - Page 24 record world Singles Coming Up, 28. MEMPHIS TRAIN (Pronto, BMI) Buddy Miles-Mercury 72945 It was still holding the position of 27 for the week of 20 September.Record World, September 20, 1969 - page 24 record world Singles Coming Up, 27. MEMPHIS TRAIN (Pronto, BMI) Buddy Miles-Mercury 72945Record World, September 27, 1969 - Page 24 record world Singles Coming Up, 37. MEMPHIS TRAIN (Pronto, BMI) Buddy Miles-Mercury 72945 It was still in the chart for the week of 18 October.Record World, October 18, 1969 - Page 122 record world Singles Coming Up, 48. MEMPHIS TRAIN (Pronto, BMI) Buddy Miles-Mercury 72945Record World, October 25, 1969 - Page 28 record world Singles Coming Up
Other versions Melissa Etheridge recorded her version of the song which is the opening track of her 2016 Memphis Rock and Soul album.Guitar World, 14 October 2016 - Melissa Etheridge Taps Into Her Love of R&B on New Album,'Memphis Rock and Soul' By Laura B. Whitmore
References
External links Discogs - Rufus Thomas – The Memphis Train Sharpest Note channel, Dec 8, 2025 - THE MEMPHIS TRAIN Rufus Thomas Stax 1968 (audio) Discogs - Buddy Miles Express – Memphis Train / My Chant Billboard, August 9, 1969 - Page 33 The Buddy Miles Express and Steve Cropper got together in New York and made Memphis Train (advertisement) IconOut Records channel, Sep 16, 2013 - Buddy Miles Express - Memphis Train (audio) Buddy Miles - Topic channel, Jul 30, 2018 - Buddy Miles Memphis Train (Album Version) (audio) Melissa Etheridge channel, Jul 27, 2018 - Memphis Train