Train in Vain

"**Train in Vain**" is a 1980 song by English punk rock band The Clash and is the third and final single from their third studio album _London Calling_. In the United States the song was re-titled Train in Vain (Stand by Me) to avoid confusion with the Ben E. King song _Stand by Me_. It went to number 23 in the United States, number 26 in New Zealand and number 62 in Canada. It was sampled by alternative rock band Garbage for their single _Stupid Girl_.

## Formats and track listings

"Train in Vain" was released in mainland Europe as a 33 rpm single in June 1980 (catalogue number CBS 8370) and included the tracks "Bankrobber" and "Rockers Galore... UK Tour". In the UK, "Train in Vain" was not released as a single at the time; only "Bankrobber" and "Rockers Galore... UK Tour" were released on a 7" single in August 1980 (catalogue number CBS 8323). The song was released in the US as a 10" white label promo in 1979 (catalogue number AS 749). The US commercial release of 12 February 1980 (catalogue number 50851) consisted of a 7" that included the track "London Calling". The 1991 UK re-release (catalogue number 657430 7) included the track "The Right Profile". The formats and track listings of "Train in Vain (Stand By Me)" are tabulated below:

|style="text-align:center;"|Year|style="text-align:center;"|B-side|style="text-align:center;"|Format|style="text-align:center;"|Label|style="text-align:center;"|Country|style="text-align:center;"|Note|
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
|valign="top"|1979|valign="top"|"Train in Vain (Stand by Me)" – <small>3:10</small>|valign="top"|<small>33⅓ rpm 10" vinyl</small>|valign="top"|<small>Epic AS 749</small>|valign="top"|US|valign="top"|<small>Promo</small>|
|valign="top"|1980|valign="top"|"London Calling"|valign="top"|<small>45 rpm 7" vinyl</small>|valign="top"|<small>Epic 50851</small>|valign="top"|US|valign="top"||
|valign="top"|1980|valign="top"|#"Bankrobber" – <small>4:33</small> #"Rockers Galore... UK Tour" – <small>4:39</small>|valign="top"|<small>33⅓ rpm 7" vinyl</small>|valign="top"|<small>CBS 8370</small>|valign="top"|Europe|valign="top"|<small>_ _</small>|
|valign="top"|1991|valign="top"|"The Right Profile" – <small>3:51</small>|valign="top"|<small>45 rpm 7" vinyl</small>|valign="top"|<small>Columbia 657430 7</small>|valign="top"|UK|valign="top"|<small>Reissue</small>|
|valign="top"|1991|valign="top"|#"The Right Profile" – <small>3:55</small> #"Train In Vain ('91 7" Remix)" – <small>3:02</small> #"Death or Glory" – <small>3:56</small>|valign="top"|<small>CD</small>|valign="top"|<small>Columbia 657430 5</small>|valign="top"|UK|valign="top"|<small>Reissue</small>|
|valign="top"|1980|valign="top"|"The Right Profile"|valign="top"|<small>Cassette tape</small>|valign="top"|<small>CBS 50851</small>|valign="top"|UK|valign="top"||

## Infobox (song)

- **name**: Train in Vain
- **caption**: 1980 New Zealand release
- **type**: single
- **artist**: the Clash
- **album**: London Calling
- **b-side**: London Calling (song), London Calling
- **recorded**: 1979
- **studio**: Wessex Studios (London)
- **genre**: *Punk rock
*funk rock
*Soul music, soul
- **label**: Columbia Records, Columbia
- **writer**: *Joe Strummer
*Mick Jones (The Clash guitarist), Mick Jones
- **producer**: Guy Stevens
- **prev title**: Clampdown
- **prev year**: 1980
- **next title**: Bankrobber
- **next year**: 1980