About the song
Neil Sedaka’s “One Way Ticket” is a timeless pop gem that encapsulates the nostalgic charm and youthful exuberance of the late 1950s. Penned by Jack Keller and Hank Hunter, the song’s infectious melody and heartfelt lyrics have resonated with audiences for decades.
Originally released as the B-side to Sedaka’s hit single “Oh! Carol” in 1959, “One Way Ticket” initially garnered modest attention. However, its popularity surged in Japan, where it topped the charts and earned the endearing nickname “The Choo-Choo Train Song.” This unexpected success highlighted the song’s universal appeal and ability to transcend cultural boundaries.
The lyrics of “One Way Ticket” evoke a sense of longing and melancholy as the narrator contemplates a journey away from heartbreak. The song’s structure cleverly references several popular songs of the era, including “Lonesome Town,” “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Bye Bye Love,” “A Fool Such as I,” and “I Cried a Tear.” These allusions serve to create a rich tapestry of musical references, inviting listeners to connect with familiar melodies while discovering something new.
While Sedaka’s original version remains a beloved classic, “One Way Ticket” gained renewed popularity in the 1970s when it was covered by the British disco band Eruption. Their energetic rendition infused the song with a fresh vitality, introducing it to a new generation of fans.
Over the years, “One Way Ticket” has continued to captivate audiences with its enduring appeal. Its timeless melody, heartfelt lyrics, and nostalgic charm have solidified its place in the pantheon of pop music.
Video
Lyrics
Ooh, ooh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
One way ticket
One way ticket
One way ticket
One way ticket
One way ticket
One way ticket to the blues
Choo choo train
Truckin’ down the track
Gotta travel on it
Never comin’ back
Ooh
Got a one way ticket to the blues
Bye bye love
My baby’s leaving me
Now lonely tear drops are all that I could see
Ooh-ooh
Got a one way ticket to the blues
Gotta take a trip to a lonesome town
Gonna stay at heartbreak hotel
A fool such as I
(A fool such as I)
Will never win
I cry my tears away
One way ticket
One way ticket
One way ticket
One way ticket
One way ticket
One way ticket to the blues
Choo choo train
Truckin’ down the track
Gotta travel on it
Never comin’ back
Ooh
Got a one way ticket to the blues
Choo-choo-choo-choo-choo-choo train
Got a one way ticket to the blues
I gotta take a trip to lonesome town
Gonna stay at heartbreak hotel
Ooh
A fool such as I
(A fool such as I)
Will never win
I cry my tears away
Yeah, yeah
One way ticket
One way ticket
One way ticket
One way ticket
One way ticket
One way ticket to the blues
Choo choo train
Truckin’ down the track
Gotta travel on it
Never comin’ back
Ooh
Got a one way ticket to the blues
Ooh
Got a one way ticket to the blues
One way, one way, one way ticket (got my ticket)
One way, one way, one way ticket (all on my own)
One way, one way, one way ticket (Choo-choo-choo-choo-choo-choo train)
One way, one way, one way ticket
One way, one way, one way ticket (one, one way ticket to the blues)