Last Train to Clarksville "Clarkesville", which is a much more rare spelling, now used only for a town in Georgia. Hart got the idea for the lyrics when he turned on the radio and heard the end of The Beatles' "Paperback Writer". He thought Paul McCartney was singing "Take the last train", and decided to use the line when he found out McCartney was actually singing "Paperback Writer". Hart knew that "The Monkees" TV series was being pitched as a music/comedy series in the spirit of The Beatles movie "A Hard Day's Night", so he was hoping that by emulating The Beatles, this song
Train (band) attached to a kick-drum pedal. Hotchkiss had been the lead singer for L.A.-based Apostles. After deciding to form a full band, the duo recruited Jimmy Stafford on guitar, Charlie Colin on bass, and Scott Underwood on drums, thus solidifying Train's lineup in 1994. Train attempted to get signed under Columbia Records in 1996, but were rejected. Subsequently, the band decided to release their first self-titled CD independently. By 1997, they were touring nationally, opening concerts for bands such as Barenaked Ladies, Hootie & the Blowfish, Cracker and Counting Crows. "Train" is the band's eponymous debut album. Initially released on Aware/RED,