Marking 20 years since the immortal Amsterdam hit “Does This Train Stop On Merseyside?”, tomorrow [7th March 2025] Ian Prowse, the celebrated singer and songwriter labelled “The Scouse Springsteen” by some, celebrates with a special re-release and the start of an anniversary tour around the UK.
A song that famously reduced the legendary John Peel to tears live on air, “Does This Train Stop On Merseyside?” is a powerful single that has stood the test of time.
With Ian Prowse’s heartfelt vocals journeying through the region’s astounding history – including the horrors of the Hillsborough disaster – and a sweeping musicality, the track is one of the most noteworthy to originate from the home of the fab four this side of the millennium.
There is also a mini-documentary featuring some famous faces, which you can watch below…
“Writing ‘Does This Train Stop on Merseyside?’ saved my life. After (his first band) Pele ended, I couldn’t get arrested. Then this song arrived, and all the doors reopened for me, that was important. That it was John Peel who first recognised its power is an eternal honour. I’m so glad to put it back out there again for its 20th birthday. It’s not mine anymore, it’s yours, Ian says.
Ian’s journey in music began with indie band Pele back in 1991. The band signed to Polydor and promptly had a number one hit in South Africa with “Megalomania”. The band’s relentless touring won them a huge cult live following, with multiple successful headline UK tours.
They opened for The Pogues and Del Amitri on their respective 1992 sold out tours, and along with acclaim won on the road, Pele saw significant radio success; their first four singles made the BBC Radio 1 playlist.
Ian then formed the band Amsterdam in 1999 – while the millennium was a slow start for the band, everything changed in 2005. Their classic hit “Does This Train Stop On Merseyside?” had John Peel weeping live on air when he played it.
The track was then covered by legend Christy Moore and taken to number one in the Irish LP charts. Amsterdam signed to London independent label Beat Crazy, their first single cracking the top 40 at no.32.
In the last couple of years, Ian has sold out the 100 Club, and opened for Elvis Costello, The Wonder Stuff, the Blow Monkeys and Damien Dempsey, adding constantly to his ever expanding fan club.
Ian counts The Stranglers’ Jean Jacques Burnel, the late Janice Long, presenter Gary Crowley, Mick Jones and comedian Chris Addison as huge admirers of his song writing.
Elvis is a huge fan too. No, not that one, the other one: “Ian doesn’t just sing of the here and now but also reaches back into the past for a passionate tale to tell, to sing of an injustice that might tell us something about today,” say Mr Costello. Irish legend Christy Moore concurs: “Ian Prowse is a magnificent songwriter.”
Ian’s live show has wowed crowds at Reading, Glastonbury, Beautiful Days and Kendal Calling, and he is “very excited” to be taking his six-piece band out on the road to celebrate his most famous song, for 18 dates, kicking off in Stourbridge tomorrow (7th March) and closing in Sheffield in June.
Ian Prowse’s Track Record…
1. First song you recall hearing as a child?
“Isn’t She Lovely” by Stevie Wonder. My mum had bought “Songs In The Key Of Life.”
2. First single you owned?
“Down In The Tube Station At Midnight” by The Jam. I was a ‘Year Zero’ kid. Paul Weller put me on the road to the life I have lived.
3. First LP/album you owned?
The Beatles “Blue 67-70” LP. I bought it on an extended holiday in Dallas when I was 14 to remind me of home. I couldn’t believe I knew every single song (apart from “Old Brown Shoe”).
4. First CD you owned?
Bruce Springsteen: “Live 75-85” three-CD set. I’d worn out the five-LP set. Every song is better than the album versions.
5. Last music you bought and in what format(CD/vinyl/digitaldownload)?
“Beekeeper” by Steve Wickham – on vinyl. No Steve, no Pele; simple as that!
6. Which album would you like as a gift?
Christy Moore sent me his six-CD Box Set, so that’s a prized historical possession.
7. Favourite album?(Choose more than one if need be…)
“Automatic For The People” by REM. An album about death that’s optimistic. You have to be truly brilliant to pull that off.
8. Best record ever made(can be single/album/EP–and choose more than one if need be)?
Today, it’s “The Look Of Love” by Dusty Springfield – the turn in the melody into the chorus yearns like no other melody.
9. Guilty secret(or anything unusual or perhaps unexpected )in your music collection?
Tears For Fears’ singles.
10. What does music mean to you and how does it make you feel?
It comes on a par with food, shelter and warmth as a basic life necessity. Actually playing it makes me feel like I have a super power.
11. Which song or album is a guaranteed mood booster?
“Canadian Geese” by Damien Dempsey. The best song I’ve ever heard about being working class.
12. Which song or album would be the soundtrack to a film about your life?
“London Calling” LP by The Clash: Defiance, heartbreak, rabble-rousing… Sing Michael sing!
13. Your favourite driving track – or music to exercise to?
“Venasque” by Ian Pooley, or maybe “900 Degrees” by the same fella.
14. Best song or album for a romantic moment?
“The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” by Gil Scott-Heron. Nothing more romantic than fighting the good fight.
15. Which song was played for the “First Dance” at your wedding (if you are married) or which song would you choose if you did get married?
“Proof” by I Am Kloot. I can’t bear the conventionality of weddings.
16. Your choice of song to sing at karaoke?
“Dancing In The Dark” by Bruce Springsteen, or “Oliver’s Army” by Elvis Costello – Seen on special occasions in the Crocodile Bar, Liverpool!
17. Which song takes you back to your childhood – and to which specific memory/memories?
“5 Minutes” by The Stranglers. To that time when my coming-of-age music turned out to be the best rage music of all; with the best intros.
18. Favourite band (or bands)?
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, The Clash, The Waterboys, R.E.M. , Damien Dempsey, Kneecap, Public Enemy, The Beatles.
19. Favourite singer (or singers)?
Joe Strummer and Smokey Robinson.
20. Which song would you like played at your funeral?
Lock the church doors and play every single Springsteen album in sequence, even the bad ones!
