End of the Line (Traveling Wilburys song)
| "End of the Line" | ||||||||||
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| Single by Traveling Wilburys | ||||||||||
| from the album Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 | ||||||||||
| B-side | "Congratulations" | |||||||||
| Released |
23 January 1989 (US) 20 February 1989 (UK) | |||||||||
| Format | 7" single, 12" single, 3" CD single, Cassette single | |||||||||
| Genre | Folk rock | |||||||||
| Length | 3:30 | |||||||||
| Label | Wilbury Records | |||||||||
| Writer(s) |
Bob Dylan Jeff Lynne Tom Petty George Harrison Roy Orbison [1] | |||||||||
| Producer(s) | Nelson Wilbury, Otis Wilbury | |||||||||
| Traveling Wilburys singles chronology | ||||||||||
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"End of the Line" is the last track from the Traveling Wilburys' first album, Volume 1, released in 1989. Its riding-on-the-rails rhythm suggests its theme and the on-the-move nature of the group. It features all the Wilburys, except Bob Dylan, as lead singers; George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, and Roy Orbison sing the choruses in turn, while Tom Petty sings the verses. The song then expands into a "freight train" rhythm to underscore its theme.
It was released as the second single from the album, eventually peaking at number 63 in the U.S. on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The music video for "End of the Line" was filmed after Roy Orbison's death in December 1988. To honor the loss, a shot of a guitar sitting in a rocking chair next to a photo of Orbison was used when Orbison's vocals are heard.[2]
Legacy
The song was used over the end credits of the final episode of the British sitcom One Foot in the Grave and the American comedy, Parks and Recreation.
"End of the Line" appeared in the George Harrison-produced cult comedy, Checking Out.
A version sung by Dennis Waterman was used as the theme tune for the pilot of the BBC production, New Tricks. The song has also been included in TV spots for the 2004 film The Terminal, as well as the trailer for the 2007 hit comedy Knocked Up.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers played this song live during their 2008 North American tour.
Harrison was honored in the parody song "No Where Near the End of My Time" by radio on-air personality Bob Rivers.
Track listing
- 7" single, Cassette single
- A "End of the Line" (LP Version) – 3:30
- B "Congratulations" (LP Version) – 3:30
- 12" single, 3" CD single
- A "End of the Line" (Extended Version) – 5:34
- B "Congratulations" (LP Version) – 3:29
Personnel
- Bob Dylan - backing vocals, acoustic rhythm guitar
- George Harrison - lead vocals (1st, 4th, and 7th choruses), backing vocals, slide guitar, lead guitar
- Jim Keltner - drums
- Jeff Lynne - lead vocals (2nd, 5th, and 6th choruses), electric rhythm guitar
- Roy Orbison - lead vocals (3rd chorus), electric rhythm guitar
- Tom Petty - lead vocals (verses), bass guitar
References
- ↑ ASCAP entry for song ASCAP, accessed December 12, 2010
- ↑ WMG music video YouTube. Accessed 19 October 2012
External links
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