Train's Pat Monahan Reveals Billion-Streaming Hit Was Written for Someone Else

The band's frontman opens up about the band's creative process and hit songs.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 10:54pm

In a recent interview, Train frontman Pat Monahan revealed that one of the band's biggest hits, a song with over a billion streams, was actually written for someone else originally. Monahan discussed Train's approach to songwriting, aiming to create 'weird' and 'unusual' tracks that still connect with listeners on a large scale.

Why it matters

Train has maintained mainstream success for over two decades, with a catalog of hit songs that have resonated widely with audiences. Monahan's insights into the band's creative process provide a rare behind-the-scenes look at how they've managed to craft such enduring pop anthems.

The details

In the interview, Monahan explained that Train's approach to songwriting is to create 'weird' and 'unusual' songs that still have a broad appeal. He revealed that one of the band's biggest hits, a track with over a billion streams, was actually written with another artist in mind before the band decided to record it themselves.

  • The interview with Pat Monahan took place prior to the death of former Train bassist Charlie Colin.

The players

Pat Monahan

The lead singer of the band Train, which has sold over 10 million albums worldwide.

Charlie Colin

The former bassist for the band Train, who passed away recently.

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What they’re saying

“I'm not in the biggest band in the world, but I feel like I am, and that's good enough.”

— Pat Monahan, Lead Singer, Train

The takeaway

Train's ability to craft hit songs that resonate with mainstream audiences, while still maintaining an unconventional creative approach, speaks to the band's enduring popularity and songwriting prowess.