Okay, so like everyone in North America between about 20 & 60, I too love the song. But I gotta ask...
What the hell is it talking about?
You've got your small town girl on a train, then a boy from South Detroit on a train. Is it the same train? And who takes the train at midnight to travel these days?
And if you look at a map, isn’t South Detroit actually Windsor, Ontario? Does this song take place in Canada?
Then there's nothing more about the train, because we're in a smoky room with a singer and some bad odors. To my knowledge, most overnight trains don't supply entertainment, so it's definitely a jump to another story. But what story? Nothing happens! The scene is set then – BANG! – we're onto a third location.
Now Steve Perry is singing about himself in the first person. What is he working hard to get his fill of? Talk about going on and on and on and on!
Finally, the payoff: what is it we’re not supposed to stop believin’ in? Trains as a way of meeting strangers? Cheap perfume? Wanting thrills?
As I said, I love the song, but if you actually think about it for a second, it’s complete nonsense.
End of rant. Please return to where you were.