Song Details
- Album Release Date: 1988-02-10
- Album Name: Powaqqatsi
Song Meaning (Interpretation) of “Train to Sao Paulo” by Philip Glass
The song “Train to Sao Paulo” by Philip Glass takes us on a musical journey to the vibrant city of Sao Paulo in Brazil. The song’s driving rhythm evokes the feeling of the train journey as it moves along a track with its chugging rhythm and locomotive-like melodies. The plaintive strings and airy synths create an atmosphere of peaceful contemplation as we ponder the city we are going to. The journey also serves to illustrate the relentless beauty of life, with its hills and rivers, its forests and plains – all of which can be seen from the outstretched windows of the train. The song’s gentle yet strong percussion creates a sensation of moving forward – a sense of progress – that becomes more and more entwined with the listener’s own journey of life and growth. It speaks of the transformation that comes from exploring both the unfamiliar and the familiar – the joy and the pain – that comes with our travels – and how our experiences help to shape us as we move forward.