Matthew Jacobson interviews singer-songwriter Ian Prowse as he celebrates 20 years of the stirring hit ‘Does This Train Stop On Merseyside?‘
With its gorgeous sweeping musicality and lyrics journeying through the region’s incredible history (including the horrors of the Hillsborough disaster), it’s surely one of the most noteworthy to originate from the ‘UK Capital of Pop’ this side of the millennium – it’s been covered by Irish folk figurehead Christy Moore, and lovingly rewritten by The Wonder Stuff to reflect their own hometown of Birmingham.
Perhaps most notably of all, it brought the legendary John Peel to tears live on air whenever he played it… since he grew up glued to the radio waiting for the DJ to play The Jam’s latest single, this was a real badge of honour for Ian. The track also made it into Peel’s last-ever Festive Fifty before his passing.
Among Ian’s fans are the likes of Elvis Costello, Mick Jones of The Clash, the late Janice Long and The Stranglers’ Jean Jacques Burnel. The musician has been dubbed the ‘Scouse Springsteen’ for his incendiary live performances, and is very excited to be taking a full 6-piece band on an extensive tour to celebrate 20 years of his most famous song – of course, this will include a Liverpool show, happening on Saturday 12th April at the Arts Club.
I wanted to know more, so I interviewed to discuss all things Liverpool, touring and the power of song.
‘Does This Train Stop on Merseyside’ is now 20 years old. A powerful scrutiny of the history of the city. There are many layers to Liverpool and it may change along the way, but the history remains. Do you still feel the history and powerful influence within the City as time moves on?
Absolutely, every street, every alleyway, every door has a story. Living here often feels like you’re in a huge play. Which is bizarre as it is cosmic.
The ghosts of the past, I feel can be felt in and round the stunning architecture within Liverpool – did the surroundings of the City enhance the senses when writing the song?
From an early age you’re aware the city looks magnificent in a way that others don’t. That seeps into you, that waterfront still stuns me, especially from the Birkenhead side.
The Merchant Seaman and a deal with the devil is a seaport specialism and to me waters like the Mersey are art, opera and poetry – mixed with cultures of passion and pride within Liverpool – do you feel Liverpool stands alone from other cities?
Without a shadow of a doubt, it’s not really an English city for starters. Ask any Scouser and pretty quickly they’ll mention Scotland Road as the origins of their family/parents/grandparents. It was the epicentre of the culture and it was almost exclusively Irish at the city’s height.
The song is an emotional journey, is it difficult to play with references to the horrific tragedy at Hillsborough and the injustice that prevailed?
I’ve been singing it for 20 years now and I’ve never once phoned it in, mainly out of respect for the many survivors I call friends and the 97 who passed away.
The song also has references to Mathew Street and Alan Williams who loved to tell a tale of the past – did you meet him and any stories to tell?
Yes, I met him on many occasions, I picked him up off the floor of Mathew Street on many occasions too. When the single first came out, I told him ‘Hey Al, I put you in a song’, he barked back at me, ‘No you didn’t! Amsterdam did!’. One quiet afternoon in The Grapes, the place was empty apart from the barmaid, me, Alan and my friend Ian McNabb. No one was talking as we sat at the bar. After a while, Ian broke the stillness and said ‘What was he like, Al?’
Alan didn’t even ask which one he meant, we just knew. He was staring hard at his wine glass holding it with both hands by the stem and after a while quietly said, ‘He was in a lot of pain’.
I loved the mix of the past and the flying metal boxes flying passengers above us – the current and the past combine beautifully, the city certainly has a diverse cultures within and wanting to visit by the thousands – the city captures the world, what are your favourite areas of Liverpool and why?
Well, it’s a pretty small city centre so I often traverse the entire space, I can’t say I like one part more than the other, I love the vibe of the entire thing. I love that wherever I walk John & Paul have been there before me.
Going on tour, do you still feel the same buzz as you did many years ago?
Even more so because you’re not beset with the worry of are we any good? Is this gonna work? Can I spend my life doing this? Like you are when you’re young.
Turns out yes, you’re pretty good, and it will define your entire life.
And the Liverpool gig must always be a joy?
Liverpool shows are the event of the year, this year will be the best yet as we take the song home. Our 7-piece band has the power for all emotions to be displayed, and we have the great Rob Vincent as special guest too.
Thank you, Ian and very best wishes.
As Ian prepares to take “Does This Train Stop On Merseyside?” on tour, it’s clear that the song’s power hasn’t waned. From its poignant lyrics to its deep connection with the people of Liverpool, the track remains a landmark in the city’s musical history—and with Ian Prowse at the helm, it will continue to move audiences for years to come.
Matt Jacobson
Explore Liverpool
READ MORE: Barry Adamson talks about his upcoming Cut To Black Tour
