Monkees: Last Train to Clarksville Meaning

Song Released: 1966

Last Train to Clarksville Lyrics

Take the last train to Clarksville,
And I'll meet you at the station.
You can be be there by four thirty,
'Cause I made your reservation.
Don't be slow, oh, no, no, no!
Oh, no, no, no!

'Cause I'm leavin' in the morning
And I must see you...

1. 1TOP RATED

   #1 top rated interpretation:
   anonymous

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   Aug 14th 2006 !⃝

   This was a war protest song. Clarksville was the base where soldiers were sent to viet nam from, during the 60's war. Thus the lyric. '...And I don't know if I'm ever coming home'.
2. anonymous

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   Nov 30th 2019 !⃝

   Just as well could have been the young man going to see his girl off before he fled to Canada to avoid the draft. Not sure exactly when various Selective bills were passed & implemented. Do know draft was in effect then & a following more broad draft bill came along in 1967. Many protests were sparked & opposition grew rapidly. If anyone has a quick timeline to share on the Draft, it would be greatly appreciated. Would help clarify timing and interpretation of the song.
3. anonymous

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   Aug 25th 2017 !⃝

   I am a Viet Nam vet and was still in high school when this song was popular. I did then, and still do, believe it was about a young man going off to war and wanting to see his girl at least one more time not knowing what his future would be. It was terrible being a young male in the 60s, early 70s.
4. anonymous

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   Jun 20th 2014 !⃝

   If not the last train for him to catch to Clarkesville to report, It means that he is considering fleeing to Canada. I wasnt aware of the tie in of Clarkesville to Fort Campbell. OR, he might have been thinking one or the other, and not made up his mind to report or flee. I was one of those starting to show up on the Draft Board's radar ( #147). would be interestingto hear what else Boyce ^ Hart wrote about in that era.
5. anonymous

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   Feb 18th 2014 !⃝

   Clarksville , Indiana yeah maybe , could be , just across the Ohio River from the Mens N C A A Division 1 National Champions THE - LOUISVILLE CARDINALS uumm Last Train To Clarksville .... Clarksville Indiana - thats my story & i'm sticking to it -
   larry quinn
   
   Louisville , Ky.
   
   GO Jeff Gordon
   
   Go Hoosiers
   
   buy Chevrolets you know , with your money - not mine
6. stephen_melinger

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   Mar 11th 2013 !⃝

   It is about a rendezvous that will not happen. The rushing and urgency are to no avail.
7. anonymous

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   Jan 20th 2013 !⃝

   In September 1966 I was drafted into the US Army. The induction center I was sent to was Chicago Illinois. After being sworn in to the US Army I was placed on a train to "Clarksville Tenn." home of Fort Campbell and home of the 101st Airborne Division.
   
   Yes, this was the "Last train to Clarksville."
8. anonymous

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   Aug 13th 2012 !⃝

   I always thought it was about being drafted and being sent to Viet Nam. Clarksville is the home of Ft. Campbell. In addition to the comment "I don't know if I'm ever coming home". It sounded like he was trying to meet with his girlfriend for one last @#$% before he get sent off to war not knowing if he was returning.

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