A guide to all the songs from 'Starlight Express'

Get your skates on and sing along to "Rolling Stock", "I Am the Starlight", "Light at the End of the Tunnel", and more in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Richard Stilgoe's musical.

The score, plot, and structure of Starlight Express has been tinkered with many times over the years, which is fitting for a show that’s framed by a child playing with their train set. Last year, a spectacular new production opened at a specially reconfigured Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, making the roller-skating sequences more thrilling than ever. This version for the 2020s gives the female characters more agency and sneaks in a (non-preachy) environmental message.

A cast album has recently been released – though caution is advised if you try to recreate the numbers at home! Read our guide to the ridiculously catchy songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Richard Stilgoe.

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“Entry of Trains”

Control, the child playing with the train set, introduces “The most exciting night in the history of the world”. Will diesel, electric or steam win? Mum tells says it’s time for bed. In their dreams, the trains come to life.

“Rolling Stock”

We meet the reigning champion, the diesel-powered Greaseball. Greaseball (originally a male role but played by a woman in the new production) doesn’t lack confidence: “I'm just the fastest thing you'll ever see / That streak of lightning you just missed was me.”

“Crazy”

Written for the show’s 1992 revamp, this number introduces our hero, steam train Rusty, as he tries to convince the coaches that he stands a chance of winning the race. They’re doubtful but the audience quickly warms to his can-do spirit.

“I Am Me”

This number was written for the Bochum production in 2018, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber (a reprise of “Rolling Stock”) and lyrics by Lauren Aquilina and Jim Steinman. We can see that there’s a hierarchy between the engines and the coaches but in this anthem of empowerment, the coaches, including Dinah and Pearl, sing about how they stand tall and independent and don’t need an engine to complete them.

“Whistle at Me”

Rusty and Pearl are developing feelings for each other. It must be said that “No one can [whistle] like a steam train”. They agree to be “Friends with a secret”.

“Freight is Great”

It seems that freight is rather maligned by the other engines, who consider themselves much cleverer: “Forty tons of empty chrome / The lights are on but no one’s home”. They prefer to keep their heads down, which seems smart enough.

“Hydrogen”

A new song by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Joe Stilgoe (son of Richard). Hydra convinces Rusty to race with hydrogen from his tank. “We treat this precious planet like a video game… it’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when for hydrogen…” Will this gas that’s lighter than air and a “Hero of Net Zero” save us?

“AC/DC”

Introducing the “Rich, hot, cool powerful” Electra the Electric Engine. Everyone is in awe. The song has a modern, futuristic electronic sound, which would have been especially novel when the show was first performed in 1984.

“Pumping Iron”

Greaseball responds with a rock-and-roll-style number in which she flexes her muscles that are sure to win the race. Modesty isn’t her style.

“Make Up My Heart”

Pearl is conflicted as to whether she should race with funny, gentle Rusty or flashy Electra: “One of them has style, sets the world alight / The other makes me smile, so who gets the part?”

“Momma’s Blues”

Originally “Poppa’s Blues”, this number introduces Momma, a mature steam train, who sings a blues number to the freight coaches. Initially teased for being out of date, she wins everyone over.

“Starlight Express”

It’s time for the title number. Rusty is having a crisis of confidence about his chances in the race and Pearl has gone off with Greaseball. However, Momma tells him about a mythical steam engine known as the Starlight Express who comes to the rescue at hours of need. “Are you real? Yes or no”. Act One ends on this contemplative note.

“U.N.C.O.U.P.L.E.D”

Dinah the Dining Car is a “carriage with no marriage” having been dumped romantically by her race partner Greaseball for Pearl. She vows “R-E-V-E-N-G-E” on the “B-A-S-T-A-R-D”. It’s the show’s country-inspired number, paying homage to Tammy Wynette’s “D-I-V-O-R-C-E”.

“Wide Smile”

Greaseball’s sidekick Slick is a double agent and confesses to the audience that she’s only in it for self-gain: “Each time a train ends up in the ditch / This small truck makes a buck / Ain’t that rich?”

“The Race”

It’s time for the big race! It’s a dead heat between Electra and Pearl, and Greaseball and Dinah.

“I Am the Starlight”

At his lowest ebb, Rusty discovers that the Starlight Express exists within him: “Only you have the power within you / Just believe in yourself / The sea will part before you / Stop the rain, turn the tide.” He vows not to let the Starlight Express down.

“The Final Race”

Rusty is like an entirely new engine racing with Hydra’s hydrogen. Still, it’s Greaseball in the lead, Rusty second, and Electra third. The three jostle for position – and Rusty takes the prize! He goes to find Pearl.

“One Rock ‘N’ Roll Too Many”

The boastful Greaseball and Electra and their friends are the worse for wear after the race.

“I Do”

Rusty and Pearl reconcile and admit their mutual romantic feelings. The song is written by Alistair Lloyd Webber (son of Andrew) and Nick Coler.

“Light at the End of the Tunnel”

The fabulous gospel-themed finale, led by Momma. Rusty’s victory is proof that “Steam is the thing that will power us along!”

“Starlight Express Megamix”

If that wasn’t enough, there’s a megamix thrown in! Bop along with highlights from all your favourite songs. The perfect opportunity to go wild! Get those engines started.

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