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The Impressions — People Get Ready
Album: People Get Ready
Avg rating:
7.7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 697









Released: 1965
Length: 2:37
Plays (last 30 days): 0
People get ready
There's a train a comin'
You don't need no baggage
You just get on board
All you need is faith
To hear the diesels hummin'
You don't need no ticket
You just thank the Lord

So people get ready
There'a a train to Jordan
Picking up passengers
Coast to coast
Faith is the key
Open the doors and board them
There's hope for all
Among those loved the most

There ain't no room
For the hopeless sinner
Who would hurt all mankind
Just to save his own
Have pity on those whose
Chances grow thinner
There's no hiding place
Against the Kingdom's throne

So people get ready
There's a train a comin'
You don't need no baggage
You just get on board
All you need is faith
To hear the diesels hummin'
Don't need no ticket
You just thank the Lord
Comments (21)add comment
May of 1987. My boyfriend, who worked as a location manager in Hollywood, called me at work and told me to get to a corner near the Cal Mart. He didn't tell me why, just told me I needed to get there. It was a slow day at work so two colleagues and I snuck out for a late lunch.

U2 was setting up to film the "Where the Streets Have No Name" video. They played this song as part of the sound check. The crowd grew thicker and as much as we wanted to say longer, my colleagues and I knew the boss would get upset if we were gone too long. I always think of that day when I hear any version of this song.
The fantastic Impressions. 
Love this song and am partial to Vanilla Fudge's cover of it 
 bimmerfan739 wrote:

How about the Rod Stewart/Jeff Beck version?



As much as I love Rod, like everything else in the world, it can never be as good as the original. PS worth checking out Rod's interview by Niles Rogers on his Apple radio show where he talks about his songwriting.
How about the Rod Stewart/Jeff Beck version?
Perfection! The Impressions are my joint favourite group (along with the Beach Boys). 'It's Alright', 'Talking about my Baby', and dozens more. 
My father used to played a version of People Get Ready by Chris Barber that was the first version I ever heard. Barber's band played it a little faster and gave it more of a sense of a moving train. It's on Battersea Rain Dance, still and only ever available on vinyl, but a lovely version, as is this one.
 xkolibuul wrote:

Still a distant imitation of this masterpiece.


It's not an imitation - it's a different interpretation.
Silky smooth
 xkolibuul wrote:

Still a distant imitation of this masterpiece.
 
I have a preference for The Chambers Brothers' version.

 Edweirdo wrote:
 
Still a distant imitation of this masterpiece.
IMHO, not.
Edweirdo wrote:
 
 

Well, Curtis Mayfield wrote this song, and he passed away in 1999, so that's part of it. But yeah, harmony, composition, a message, not many songs like this being made today.
c.
Who knows...
Why aren’t there groups like this anymore?
 SquiddlyDiddly wrote:
Such a good version of this. Just singing it straight and with feeling. 

Wonderful.
 

“Version”?
Song: 1965

2022 Update
The train is VERY late [57 years!]
Are you sure it's coming?
EDIT
Deceased members (5)
Curtis Mayfield (deceased)
Arthur Brooks (deceased)
Ralph Johnson (deceased)
Vandy Hampton (deceased)
Reggie Torian (deceased)
These guys waited for their god in vain

Surviving members (7)

Fred Cash
Sam Gooden
Jerry Butler
Nate Evans
Richard Brooks
Leroy Hutson
Willie Kitchens
Still waiting

Curtis Mayfield died December 26, 1999 (aged 57)
Thus, the surviving members are aged about 80 - the train needs to hurry up


now try this - different approach to this marvellous song, but as uplifting as its message



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ft7lIotNTHo


Such a good version of this. Just singing it straight and with feeling. 

Wonderful.
pure beauty