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  1. Tracks
  2. Beck
  3. Midnite Vultures
  4. Broken Train

TRACK

Beck

Broken Train

Release date: 23rd November 1999

From Midnite Vultures
Spotify
More on Beck

About This Track

'Broken Train' by Beck is a 1999 track from the album 'Midnite Vultures'. The lyrics sketch a bleak, street-level scene of unrest and aftermath, with people slumped, the threat of violence hanging around, and a cynical contrast between wealth and hunger. There is a sharp, confrontational edge to the writing, captured in the line “Billionaires smile like weapons”, as it moves from public disorder to a sense that lives can be reduced to rumours and leftovers.

"Broken Train" is a track by Beck, from the album Midnite Vultures, released 23rd November 1999. Full lyrics are available below. Dork has published 8 articles about Beck.

About the Artist

Beck

Beck

Lyrics

Broken Train

[Verse 1]

The snipers are passed out

In the bushes again

I'm glad I got my suit dry-cleaned

Before the riots started

'Cause there's only rehashed faces

On the bread line tonight

Soon you'll be a figment

Of some infamous life

[Pre-Chorus]

Billionaires smile like weapons

Passing out platinum pensions

They're out of control

No one knows how low they'll go

[Chorus]

(Hold on)

Take a ride on a broken train

(Hold on)

Take a ride on a broken train

[Verse 2]

Those bra burning deportees

At the service station

They know that beige

Is the color of resignation

[Pre Chorus]

We're out of control

No one knows how low we'll go

[Chorus]

(Hold on)

Take a ride on a broken train

(Hold on)

Take a ride on a broken train

[Bridge]

Shining like crystal tiaras

Ghettos and gray Rivieras

This is the real me ladies

You won't find no shelter here

[Verse 3]

Tell me, what's your zip code, baby?

Did you ever let a cowboy sit on your lap?

[Pre Chorus]

They're out of control

No one knows how low we'll go

[Chorus]

(Hold on)

Take a ride on a broken train

(Hold on)

Take a ride on a broken train

[Outro]

We're out of control

We're out of control

We're out of control

We're out of control

(Hold on)

We're out of control

Take a ride on a broken train

Take a ride on a broken train

Take a ride on the fucking train

Lyrics provided by LRCLIB

View full lyrics page →

Track details

From Midnite Vultures

1999
Listen
Album
Midnite Vultures
Midnite Vultures
Beck
Release year
1999
  1. —Pressure Zone
  2. —Get Real Paid
  3. —Untitled Track (MIDNITE VULTURES)
  4. —Peaches & Cream
  5. —Milk & Honey
  6. —This Is My Crew
  7. —Arabian Nights
  8. —Broken Train
  9. —Debra
  10. —Hollywood Freaks

More from Beck

Albums & EPs

Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometime
Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometime
2026
Hyperspace (2020)
Hyperspace (2020)
2020
Hyperspace
Hyperspace
2019
Paisley Park Sessions
Paisley Park Sessions
2019
Colors
Colors
2017
Songs Of Leonard Cohen
2017

Explore

More tracks by Beck

  1. ChemicalHyperspace
    4:19
  2. Dark PlacesHyperspace
    3:46
  3. Die WaitingHyperspace
    4:05
  4. Everlasting NothingHyperspace
    5:00
  5. HyperlifeHyperspace
    1:37
  6. HyperspaceHyperspace
    2:45
  7. Ride Lonesome
    4:33
  8. Saw LightningHyperspace
    4:01
  9. See ThroughHyperspace
    3:39
  10. StarHyperspace
    2:51

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The White Stripes

Credits

Production & Engineering

Writer
Beck
Producer
Beck, Mickey Petralia
Co-Producer
Mickey Petralia
Engineer
Derek Carlson, Steve Mixdorf
Bass
Justin Meldal-Johnsen
Drums
Joey Waronker
Guitar
Beck
Keyboards
Beck
Acoustic Guitar
Roger Joseph Manning Jr.
Background Vocals
Beck
Clavinet
Roger Joseph Manning Jr.
Harmonica
Beck
Marimba
Beck
Mastering Engineer
Bernie Grundman, Brian Gardner, Chris Bellman
Mixing Engineer
Mickey Petralia
Percussion
Justin Meldal-Johnsen, Roger Joseph Manning Jr.
Programmer
Beck, Mickey Petralia
Recording Engineer
Mickey Petralia
Synthesizer
Roger Joseph Manning Jr.
READ MORE ABOUT BECKREAD MORE ABOUT BECKREAD MORE ABOUT BECKREAD MORE ABOUT BECK
READ MORE ABOUT BECKREAD MORE ABOUT BECKREAD MORE ABOUT BECKREAD MORE ABOUT BECK
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21 Apr 2026 • 1:45 pm
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Beck - Colors
Reviews

Beck - Colors

Beck sounds as vital and important as ever.

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