For My Sunday Song #272, we are discussing “One Passenger” by Rick Springfield off his 2008 album ‘Venus in Overdrive”. The album peaked at #28 on the Billboard Charts, but the song was never a single. It is however, a favorite of mine on the album. Thanks to ‘Shock/Denial/Anger/Acceptance’, I was really in to his music again and was excited when this came out. Although not quite as good as ‘SDAA’, it was still an exceptional album and this song helped.

What I love about the song is that is sort of a conversation with God…or whatever your definition of God is. Through the lyrics he is showing his disillusionment with life in general and asking God as to why? Why are we here and what is the meaning of all that we go through. When you listen to it, you feel his loneliness in the world, his regret, his heartache and understand why he is questioning his existence. It is quite lovely and heartbreaking at the same time when you sit and listen.

Musically, it seems pretty simple. It is not a rocker, but does pick up the pace during the chorus. It is a pop song through and through with a driving beat and there is a nice bass groove that keeps the song moving. Rick sings it in a very calm demeanor which I think hints at a tremendous sadness without sounding too morose. There is a dichotomy in the music which is a little more upbeat then the lyrics would make you believe and I always find that mix very intriguing and probably why I’m drawn to it.

Give the song a listen and let me know what you think. I hope you enjoy as much as I have over the years. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you all have a Happy Sunday!!

“One Passenger”

Undecided over destiny or fate
Undivided under sentimental ways
Undelighted with the thought of happiness
Unrequited, love will lead to loneliness
And I’d like to meet you all alone to ask you why
Why you’d change a worm into a butterfly

When I ride, falling forward on the way 
I’m just one passenger aboard this train
When I find the silver lining turns to gray
I’m just one passenger aboard this train

I’m recognizing all that’s true and all that’s fake
Wrecking bodies, put a flower in its place
Soul surviving, in a pool of emptiness
All this trying, couldn’t fill me any less

And I’d love to see you tell me as I wonder why
How you’d change this worm into a butterfly
When I fly, flying faster all the way
I’m just one passenger aboard this train

When I find the silver lining breaks away
I’m just one passenger aboard this train

When I die falling through a somber rain
I’m just one passenger aboard this train

Will I try holding on to yesterday
I’m just one passenger aboard this train
Will I find the silver lining fades away
I’m just one passenger aboard this train
We’re all just passengers aboard this train

Undecided, Undivided
I’m just one passenger aboard this train.

Written by Rick Springfield and Matt Bissonette