Chattanooga Choo Choo

Ray Conniff · Other Songs - Ray Conniff

Pardon me boy, is that the Chattanooga Choo Choo?

Track twenty nine, boy you can gimme a shine

I can afford to board a Chattanooga Choo Choo

I've got my fare and just a trifle to spare

You leave the Pennsylvania station 'bout a quarter to four

Read a magazine and then you're in Baltimore

Dinner in the diner, nothing could be finer

Than to have your ham 'n' eggs in Carolina

When you hear the whistle blowin' eight to the bar

Then you know that Tennessee is not very far

Shovel all the coal in, gotta keep it rollin'

Woo, woo, Chattanooga, there you are

There's gonna be a certain party at the station

Satin and lace, I used to call funny face

She's gonna cry until I tell her that I'll never roam

Chattanooga Choo Choo

Ray Conniff's rendition of "Chattanooga Choo Choo" stands as a definitive example of his mastery over big band swing and orchestral arrangements. Originally a hit for Bing Crosby in 1942, Conniff's version transformed the track into a sophisticated showcase of his signature style, characterized by lush string sections and intricate brass work. The song became an enduring anthem of the era, frequently featured in films and television shows, cementing its status as a cultural touchstone. Conniff's ability to elevate standard pop melodies into complex, polished compositions defined his career, and this recording remains a celebrated song in his discography that captures the optimistic spirit of mid-20th-century American music.