Silk Sonic, Love’s Train | COVERS

In the 35^th edition of COVERS (2023), Silk Sonic delivers a compelling rendition of “Love’s Train,” originally performed by Con Funk Shun.

Ah, it’s time to get cozy and totally cover up! In COVERS, we highlight a musician or band covering songs by another musician (likely a popular musician). COVERS focuses solely on the musician who covers, as opposed to the original/most famous performer.  It is open to both established musicians and musicians who may not be as well-known. In the 35^th edition of COVERS (2023), 🎙 Silk Sonic delivers a compelling rendition of 🎵 “Love’s Train”, originally performed by 🎙 Con Funk Shun.

“If you are that special lover / And love keeps you tied to another / That’s the way it goes on love’s train.” As it was, 2021’s 💿 An Evening With Silk Sonic was a brief but well-rounded LP by 🎙 Silk Sonic – 🎙 Anderson .Paak and 🎙 Bruno Mars. On Valentine’s Day 2022, the nine-track LP expanded to 10 with 🎵 “Love’s Train”. Arriving as the ninth and penultimate track on the reissued album, many folks might assume this is an original song. It’s not, however, as 🎵 “Love’s Train” is the signature song by R&B/funk group 🎙 Con Funk Shun. Even though Silk Sonic didn’t write this gem, they put their all in on the sensational cover.

“Love’s Train” kicks off hot from the onset.  Bruno Mars produces alongside 🎛 D’Mile superbly capturing the essence of the 1982 classic. Following the ear-catching intro, which recalls 80s R&B in all its glory, Anderson .Paak delivers soulful vocals in the first verse.  He channels his inner 🎙 Michael Cooper excelling in his middle register.  Paak plays it relatively straight here – few frills – which feels right for the opening verse.  Bruno Mars contrasts with his entrance in the refrain, showing off his ripe upper register. The power he brings matches the original, with the contrast more pronounced with the lead being split by two different artists. Paak returns, looser and more nuanced in the second verse.  Additionally, he welcomes vocal harmonies.  Following another sublime refrain by Mars, Paak gives us what we’ve all been waiting for – the beloved chorus!

“Sometimes, heartstrings can be broken

But you just have to keep on goin’

That’s the way it goes on love’s train.”

In the third and final verse, there are slight instrumental contrasts, which maintain the engagement.  The third and final refrain by Mars is arguably his best and most powerful. Fittingly, the final chorus, which brings Mars into the mix, is terrific.  There are more ad-libs with Silk Sonic bringing 🎵 “Love’s Train” to a whole new generation of listeners 30 years later.   While the single didn’t impact the Billboard Hot 100, it did peak at no. 47 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

🎙 Silk Sonic • 💿 An Evening with Silk Sonic  • 🏷 Aftermath Entertainment / Atlantic • 🗓 2021

Silk Sonic, Love’s Train: Covers No. 35 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner /The Musical Hype; Aftermath Entertainment / Atlantic; cottonbro studio, MART PRODUCTION, Ron Lach from Pexels; Paul Brennan from Pixabay]