Soul Asylum's Dave Pirner reflects on biggest hit 'Runaway Train'

[@edwoll]

One of the most brilliantly written and important songs in the history of music.

[@vivekvicky2595]

Yet some people disliked this

[@vivekvicky2595]

My mom was suffering from mental health issues and I was with her, I left my job just to be with her. I felt like to kill myself seeing suffering like that, but the I thought who would take care of her if I'm gone. I knew time will bring change, and I was right, she's OK now and I feel so strong, nothing can bring me down now. If you're feeling down just know that there is nothing more painful than watching your mom suffer and you are helpless. Be strong. Nothing is impossible. Time can heal anything, just breathe...

[@edwoll]

@@vivekvicky2595 I really hope you've accepted Christ as your savior. There's no losing if you have him. I pray everything goes well for you in the rest of your life.

[@vivekvicky2595]

@@edwoll Please don't bring religion into this. It's more than that.

[@edwoll]

@@vivekvicky2595 I'm afraid that it's everything Vicky. I still prayed for you though. I'm not sorry I did either.

[@beyondthegreysky9865]

That's me at 6:09 getting Dave's autograph. My rock n roll hero. He's the real deal, love that guy. This interview was perfect.

[@DanielaArte]

👍👍👍 how tall are u ? Or they are short?

[@beyondthegreysky9865]

The first thing I said to Dave was " your taller than I thought". I'm 6'4, so he's not short.

[@vanwidick]

You deserve meeting him and having that moment, why because of your dedication to being a fan. I'm a fan but nothing like you are. I'm just now discovering and learning Dave's behind the scenes and his life.

[@MsMars.]

That's pretty cool.

[@yoorili80]

From his black hole of depression shone a light for these precious children to come home ❤

[@roberthiggins6401]

Amazing to hear 21 out of the 36 found! Could do with re release in every country with relevant children from each.

[@joshuabrooks4907]

"Runaway Train" is a signature song of the nineties rock era. i can't think of anyone who has a negative thing to say about that song.

[@johnpoffenbarger8688]

Well, ironically, Grant Young, the band's original drummer, who had been with them for nearly a decade, probably does not have good things to say about the song.... He had a lot of trouble getting the drums on the song recorded to the producer's satisfaction, so they brought in a another drummer to record it who eventually took over his job as the band's drummer. There's a lengthy "oral history" article on the Spin magazine website about the song and all that.

[@HeleniqueToday]

i never knew that 21 of the 36 missing children featured in the first video for ‘runnaway train’ were recovered!! 💗 the video still makes me cry & i am so in awe of the band’s vision and effective change they brought to the lives of those youngsters. heroes. 🌟🎶

[@18skeltor]

'recovered' unfortunately doesn't always mean that, sometimes the kids are brought back to shitty situations that they had escaped from.

[@CJLOVE23]

@@18skeltor Exactly. Most kids don’t run away from happy homes

[@J.C...]

I just got done bawling my eyes out watching it. 😭

[@Walmays]

Same here

[@MrChristianbowman82]

The 90s was so freaking great

[@Donna.M]

Best era ever. 😃👍

[@guytarantino6666]

They were 80's

[@duncan3998]

Now we have cancerous songs. Someone please invent a timemachine so i can get the f out of here

[@iggypopisgod9]

80s were even better

[@CJLOVE23]

90’s was amazing. So much hope

[@christina9841]

I love that they added new photos to Runaway Train, but the new version doesn't even begin to compare with Soul Asylum's masterpiece version. Dave seems like a really cool guy. Thank you for this.

[@whocares6988]

I was a run away from dcfs group homes lived on the streets when I ran away ,I seen this video and went an found my mother, so I'm so grateful for this song, so thank you

[@judybrock3275]

You an your band are an important! I'm 41 an been listening since I was ten . Still share the original video to the song in hopes it may still help. Much love hunny keep rocking please

[@ronschwigel8140]

runaway train is my favorite song thanks dave and soul asylum. very good band . midwestern talent

[@marqueznumerouno6804]

I still listen to this song since the 90s... I was just listening to it this afternoon

[@theresepye4298]

My daughter and other kids did a video 29/30 years ago not sure if it was you singing it but I remember it so well she passed away on the 27/52023 and I asked if this be played at her funeral everytime I hear it it reminds me of her and makes me cry thank you so much love this so g

[@diwakarchettri5256]

The faces of those lost kids impact me even now. I'd sung this song in a college program. Lost kids need to be found. Love from Nepal.

[@robertbyington7715]

I think it’s really cool when someone is willing to talk about their personal demons; because it gives people with the same problem hope for their future.

[@halicon7475]

your not wrong im sure it have saved many lives , just like goo goo dolls name they resonate with the right ppl

[@damagingsaddest5038]

The 90s was so freaking great Dave Pirner

[@dragonsmith9012]

First time I ever heard this wonderful song was at a jukebox at a train station in 2002. It'd come out in the 90s, but it already felt like the comforting voice of a long lost friend whose anguish echoed my own, but I didn't even know I was sad until years later, and I'd chosen the song by accident.

[@owlfreebird7428]

Wow! 21 of the 36 kids in this video were recovered?? Great job!

[@revolutionday1]

....right?!

[@MrAwefluckewe]

It was actually 25 but not all had happy endings sadly.

[@richardlacey4923]

These people weren’t missing just cocaine binges... some longer than others!

[@juliadesoto7374]

​​@@richardlacey4923Not funny. Some of these CHILDREN were found to be murder victims. You're sick in the fucking head.

[@RONNYMORRISMUSIC]

Beautiful band. Amazing Song. Great message.

[@leeandrew8987]

I was 8 years old when I first listened to them in england in Rochdale and I'm 38 now and still play the music 🎶

[@stephenparis9595]

I'm proud this guy's a Midwesterner. I was lucky enough to see Soul Asylum in 1989 or so at Mabel's in Champaign Illinois. They did a cover of "One Tin Soldier". Blew me away. That show is a very fond memory. And the cover was probably $8. Best deal ever.

[@jason7775600]

I loved Mabel’s for great shows! Saw many bands there ‘93 - ‘96 years.

[@amerocker]

Soul Asylum's cover songs in concert were epic. I have a radio concert from the 'Grave Dancers Union' tour from Cambridge, MA, 1993. I really need to digitally record it and upload it on KZbin.

[@mandythaw7029]

I absolutely Love his voice and the feeling that is felt by hearing it. The passion and the depth can't be found anywhere anymore. 😥💔

[@albertafire555]

Love this song, they need to release this every 6mons with new photos.

[@thumpertorque_]

I wish they made a remake of the music video about depression. Men’s mental health isn’t taken seriously and highly stigmatized. When he was talking about his depression I could relate so much and I could see how “runaway train” symbolizes your emotions. I’ve devoted so much of my time and effort to a girl, sacrificed so much to make her happy. For example I bought her a Rolex for $6,300 because I adored her to death and wanted to make her feel special. Few weeks back she implied she isn’t interested in me anymore and only saw me as a “friend”. I’d been planning to take her to Japan, drift in my favorite race tracks and share the passion and experience with the person I loved the most. It’s so heartbreaking knowing I’ll never get to experience that. I feel so worthless and miserable.

[@keepingitreal5533]

I just read your full comment and felt a little sad that no one replied. I'm sorry that you had that experience with the young lady. It's been a while so I hope you've healed? Don't feel worthless. And yes music can be therapeutic. "Runaway Train" is a great song. Men's mental health is something that needs to be taken more seriously and I really hope you're taking care of yours. Are you okay? Hang in there ❤

[@jamie21244]

I love this band

[@q.mothcompany9252]

that is such an honest interview

[@teresapollard3372]

Wow im really glad to hear of positive recoveries that occured from runaway train ☝️😘

[@trevortaylor5501]

Fella every Canadian loved soul Asylum in the 90s!

[@docsavage8640]

Canada is known for embracing mediocre musical acts.

[@STONESGAM]

I like Dave. He's a true alt rock lifer and really loves music. He seems like a pretty down to earth guy and Soul Asylum is underrated when looking back at bands that were in their prime in the 90s. He wrote a lot of great tunes and they have a lot of very good not well known deep cuts.

[@arsxxmoriendi]

Misery is a fantastic song. I really think I owe Dave a thorough deep dive into the Soul Asylum catalog.

[@bluesmanish]

can't go wrong with Let your Dim Light shine@@arsxxmoriendi

[@edwinsmith1259]

Great band and great man who made great songs!!! Such better music than the garbage of today

[@angierucker5505]

Dave is awesome i got to see them in the 90s & Great live show!!!!!

[@J.C...]

Been stuck in that black hole since July 2, 2014. The day I awoke to the fact that my daughter and only child had her angel wings. It's a fact I struggle with every morning when I awake. It's like I live in Groundhog Day, reliving that 1st morning after it happened over and over and over and over.

[@MarianoMariano987]

LARGA VIDA A DAVE PIRNER ! always love soul asylum 🖤🇦🇷

[@crisprtalk6963]

Always liked this guy.

[@J.C...]

The wrote one of the best songs of the 90s. Real talk. One of the best music videos ever made, as well.

[@traceyreitterer230]

Now Dave can add 14-year-old Aundria Bowman, missing from Allegan, Michigan since March 1989, featured in his original video, to the ""located, but deceased" list. Turns out Aundria wasn't a runaway after all. Authorities believe they've found her remains buried on her step-father's property earlier this week. :(

[@kylehegedus5498]

That’s very sad. I’m from around that area. R.I.P. Aundria 😥

[@heathertapper-gq6pk]

Correction adopted dad killed her

[@tunapaw]

What a nice person.

[@danielcuevas295]

Love from the philippines 🇵🇭

[@btsdancestudio5691]

OMG he is such a great guy and so handsome!

[@CJLOVE23]

Runaway Train makes me so teary eyed and nostalgic

[@jennyrules2694]

True i was born in the 70s and loved the music up until the late 90s

[@veryrancid3128]

Holy shit, soul asylum is so ficking big! Love you guys!

[@Meoo0799]

Favorite artist songwriter of all time!

[@bluegrassreb1]

93 was a great year for me...BECAUSE OF SOUL ASYLUM! miss you April

[@raypreseau5360]

Pirner had the perfect look for that time. He was like an under nurished, darker, sebastian bach with an angstier, sadder voice, and wrote better songs. Great band.

[@delilasloan8914]

Dave was gorgeous back then. Kurt Cobain said the first time courtney love met him she accused him of ripping off daves look.

[@richardstewart7324]

I see that now totally right.

[@jonreynolds1655]

Such a seriously cool guy .... :-)

[@skullduggery3377]

'sometime to return'...now THAT'S one bad-ass rock and roll numeral.

[@markfothebeast]

These guys were my favorite band in the mid 90's. I didn't even know they were from Minnesota. Years later as an adult I watched Dave play at "Taste of Minnesota" and I recall he had his little boy on stage. Side story; one of my buddies removed asbestos from (the other guitar players) house about 20 years ago and jacked a guitar pick. It remains in an anonymous museum.

[@amerocker]

He nicked a pick from Dan Murphy's house?! Without Dan in the band, they really are not Soul Asylum.

[@DanielaArte]

That gorgeous young 90's gringo became in this sweet face grand pa ! ... 🤩😍

[@waynemoseley691]

Fantastic band 👋👋👍

[@aquarianlife643]

Yup 16 year old me is still giddy from Dave singing.

[@mustangpaulie]

Where have the years gone

[@AmandaLaggan]

I ask myself that everyday.

[@aztecwhistle9122]

They got a a ticket for a run away train.

[@cmacdhon]

There was nobody better in the 90s than Soul Asylum.

[@mikepalmer1971]

That’s a bold statement buddy. Lol.

[@mariacolburn3300]

Love you Soul Asylum

[@timhulio1]

Dave Pirner seems so likeable and grounded

[@scottannett3466]

I may be biased but damn I love Dave Pirner and Soul Asylum ❤

[@LeilahsMama420]

Beautiful!

[@museborn7703]

I was not allowed mtv in childhood but I used to break in to parents bedroom, to listen to the song at a time when I too was ready to runaway. They saved me and broke my heart all at once. The first true song, I have ever heard from my preferred genre of music.

[@museborn7703]

It could have been better and kinder, but unfortunately all families have egos and some just don't know how to put them aside. I was loved though, as we're my siblings. Sometimes disciplined a bit too physically, I just wish the adults has taken time out to be kind to themselves and each other. Most of my need to runaway was the feeling of separation that I was stuck with the same pattern of behaviour day in and day out with no sign of anything coming to a head and changing. It's not normal, I think, for a child to wish for a catalyst that would finally split the parents up or for a child to beg for help from one parent in order to try and save the other parent from mental collapse.

[@Matty-s7s]

Love dave❤❤❤

[@damightyshabba439]

Before I start - I'm OK now, everything is fine, so don't panic! BUT ... Yep... there's a BUT.... Run Away Train was my anthem for a couple of "attempts", 17 years apart. Now, though... its kind of my victory song... I survived, I did well.... I made new friends... life is ...now.... good. Theres a few songs, but Soul Asylum, Blue October and Linken Park each have.... a blade that hits me. But, I am better now and hearing the songs that at the time drove me down, now actually lift me up. But it's a journey. If you're on it.... just know it actually does get better. For me personally I did not want or need religion etc, but if you do - embrace it. I went alcohol, then went dry... thats not a recommendation, just my experience. SOngs like this tend to attract a certain persona.... Tomorrow will be better. x

[@teenastetic3681]

Wow this is so great...first, i thought he was dead, second, thought they were from the west Coast....mind blown

[@caseyvallett8953]

"Its good work if you can get it!" Dave Pirner

[@kevinlain2361]

not to mention they went to the White House with Busch senior because Runaway Train video constantly changed the missing or passed children. So many kids were found due to their videos.

[@chrisdownes5239]

What a legend ❤❤❤❤

[@use-oc4mj6n]

What a honest chap.

[@abcdefg5185]

This song also put a lot of kids back into abusive situations too. but great song. i love it

[@CelestialPopCollectiveOfficial]

Damn, he was so pretty ❤

[@reachtrita]

So cool.

[@katis999]

very cool

[@deceiver444]

Dave Pirner = class act

[@robertgail2775]

Misery is a great song too , it should have been a big hit

[@mikepalmer1971]

For some reason I thought this guy died years ago. I must be mixing him up with someone from another band. I am glad he is still around.

[@oftenwrong.]

A grunge classic

[@dmckevit]

Lovely guy

[@thielees]

It really is a good place to be from.

[@Jerald-ci4zb]

What was the song they played at 2:19?

[@Paul77ozee]

Years later l read up about the song Runaway Train. Some of the missing people in the Australian version were victims of Ivan Milat. The backpacker murderer. At least that bastards dead now.

[@ThomasHawk-m7q]

Love soul asylum

[@mariacolburn3300]

:* love for you. Dave. Muaw

[@thadfreebourn5138]

Start with Hang Time...great album, one of MN best?

[@thadfreebourn5138]

Not shabby for the B-team😂 send home the replaments...there goes the regular...Dave Pirner, his lyrics no joke

[@daneldridge]

They all went to the island

[@stephenswift5531]

I like runaway train soul asylum

[@charlescormier8495]

Well his hair looks a lot cleaner. lol Love these guys!

[@raymondlearmonth2642]

Very underrated band

[@asphaltcowboy7567]

Original band was by farrrrr the best.. bass and guitar players were fantastic..

[@ronschwigel8140]

#1 hit in my opinion.

[@Walmays]

Did not realize it helped that many kids get back to their families.

[@teenastetic3681]

21 out of 36...wow these guys did more for recovery statistically than law enforcement

[@WhiskeyTango68]

Grave dancers union and Dookie were the first two albums I purchased.

[@masochismworld1507]

Met Dave back in the day a few times. Shook his hand. I’ll I could think was “I just touched a hand that touched Winona Ryders big brown beaver….

[@edwardcatton315]

the only song that STILL.MAKES ME CRY!, Runaway Train!, speaking about Minnesota?, has anyone found that bag of Cash! Steve Buscemi! buried near Fargo?, lol.

[@steveowen2010]

Doesn't anybody else think it's strange that the story NEVER mentioned arguably their biggest hit off that album, and the one all the fans at their shows went crazy for "Somebody To Shove"?

[@pdog547]

They mention it once. Great tune!

[@lucianofonseca3661]

Muito top

[@enterpassword9878]

he is look like mix of curt cubain and axel rose

[@shonuff0330]

I was hoping for the spaghetti o's shirt to make an appearance.

[@SameAsAnyOtherStranger]

I did not know Dave went through stuff between "And the Horse..." and "GDU."

[@docsavage8640]

I remember how the video was played to saturation to the point everyone got sick of this song.

[@sunshine3914]

Dave did. He refused to play it for years.

[@Drcragory]

I wonder if anybody has ever told them he looks like the love child of the guy from The walking Dead, and Edward furlong?

[@ThePatsy2]

Dios Mío, eras tan bello pero el tiempo pasa para nosotros

[@christinafrch904]

Maybe I would fall in love with the lead singer.......???? ;-D

[@revolutionday1]

That remix, or..."cover" or whatever you want to call it, is one of the absolute worst things I have ever heard in my entire life.