Meaning of "Train Running Low on Soul Coal" by XTC

"Train Running Low on Soul Coal" by XTC delves into the feeling of being depleted of energy, inspiration, and creativity. The metaphor of a train running low on "soul coal" and "dream steam" evokes a sense of exhaustion and emptiness, highlighting the narrator's struggle to continue moving forward. The push and pull tactics mentioned in the lyrics symbolize external pressures and expectations that are driving the narrator "loco." The reference to being a "thirty-year-old puppy doing what I'm told" suggests a sense of being trapped in a cycle of fulfilling obligations without room for personal growth or autonomy. The comparison of the narrator to an older engine without coal emphasizes a feeling of obsolescence and being left behind. The imagery of the train crashing into a wall reflects a sense of being unable to navigate challenges and feeling overwhelmed by life's obstacles. Overall, the lyrics capture the frustration, weariness, and disorientation that can accompany a loss of purpose and identity.