Hey, Soul Sister...Post Class

The song “Hey Soul Sister” by Train seems to be somewhat of a postmodern song, due to the references it makes to other songs, as well as the fact that the band Train itself is in sort of a post-modern (revival) part of their career. The first reference to other billboard successes is in the first line of the song “Hey soul sister” may come from the song “Lady Marmalade” from the 2002 film soundtrack Moulin Rouge. Also the expression itself, referring to a woman as a soul sister is a bit of a throwback to the late 60’s and early 70’s when powerful African American singers like Aretha Franklin were popular amongst the billboard charts. Aretha Franklin was even known as “Soul Sister Number 1” after her 1967 release of “I never loved a man (The Way I Love You)”. Other references (without knowing if they are intentional or not) are the lyric “one track mind” could make reference to the Johnny Thunders song “One Track Mind”, as well as the Madonna citation when singer Patrick Monahan says “like a virgin (Madonna song) your Madonna”. Other references that can be made to popular songs in the past are made when Monahan says “I don’t want to miss a thing”, he could be making reference to the Aerosmith song from the Armageddon soundtrack. All of these connections that I have made may or not be intentional by Train, however it is interesting that this song (showing so many influences) has done so well on the billboard charts. Drawing from artists of the past may have made listeners feel more connected with the song, because of songs they have liked in the past. The reason I say that Train as a band is in a post-modern part of their career, is because they are in a personal revival. Since the song “Drops of Jupiter” we haven’t herd much from Train, but now at what should be the latter part of their career they have made a revival, and there is something postmodern about that, and the music that people are listening to.