"He Whistled At Me" is Pearl's first solo, an upbeat number where she tells the audience about how she's searching for her "Dream train".
Context[]
At the end of "Hitching and Switching", both Rusty and Pearl are left without race partners. Pearl had already tentatively agreed to race with Rusty, but she has had doubts following the advice from the other coaches. She explains to Rusty what she's looking for, her "Dream train", and his whistle just doesn't have what she's looking for.
This "Dream train" in question would only ever physically appear onstage during the first year of Starlight Express in London. He would be played by the actor performing as the German Engine dressed in a white and silver costume. Briefly crossing the stage with an adage during the number, he would not show up again at any other point in the show.
This original version of the song was only ever used in the Original London production, and was cut after a few years to be replaced by "Engine of Love" for Rusty and the coaches, and "Make Up My Heart" as Pearl's act 1 solo.
In the 1992 "New Starlight Express" revisions to the show, this song was re-worked into a slower ballad version "He'll Whistle At Me" which was then used in subsequent productions including the 2003 US Tour and following UK and world tours.
Melody[]
The Melody of "He Whistled At Me" was originally the concept song that gave birth to the show, "Engine of Love". However in the original London production, the decision was made to use the melody as a solo for Pearl not Rusty.
The original version on the 1984 London Cast Recording is sung by Stephanie Lawrence as a studio recording, possibly with the intention of being released as a single. This is apparent in the repeat-to-fade ending of the track, which is not generally possible in live performance.
Lyrics[]
| RUSTY: | What's wrong, Pearl? Got no partner? |
| PEARL: | No. |
| RUSTY: | Never mind. |
| I'll take you - | |
| PEARL: | No Rusty - I know you mean to be kind... |
| RUSTY: | You'd rather have no one than race behind me? |
| PEARL: | You don't understand, why don't you see? |
| I have this train I dream about, an engine moved by steam | |
| RUSTY: | No problem, I'm a steamer, maybe I could be the engine of your dream |
| PEARL: | Can you whistle? |
| RUSTY: | Sure I can |
| Woo woo woo | |
| PEARL: | Yes it's close, but it's not like in my dreams |
| Sorry Rusty I know how it must seem | |
| No one else can take his place | |
| Woo woo, woo woo | |
| Nobody can do it like a steam train | |
| Woo woo, woo woo | |
| Nobody can do it like a steam train | |
| I was waiting at the station | |
| I was all anticipation | |
| I was painted, I was polished | |
| I was shining like a star | |
| And then he whistled at me (woo woo) | |
| He looked in my direction | |
| He whistled at me (woo woo) | |
| This could be my connection | |
| All because he whistled at me (woo woo) | |
| He sure knew how to woo me | |
| He whistled at me (woo woo) | |
| I'm gonna hitch him to me | |
| I'd been out of circulation | |
| I had lost my motivation | |
| Rejected and dejected | |
| Then he was on the line | |
| In an atmosphere all steamy | |
| He said things I thought were dreamy | |
| He said I was good looking | |
| Said I was divine | |
| Then he started getting fresher | |
| Started putting on the pressure | |
| From the sounds that he was making | |
| I could tell that he was mine | |
| Because he whistled at me (woo woo) | |
| I knew he had to choose me | |
| He whistled at me (woo woo) | |
| And now he'll never lose me | |
| All because he whistled at me (woo woo) | |
| Now every time you'll find him | |
| He whistled at me (woo woo) | |
| You'll find me there behind him | |
| Woo woo, woo woo | |
| Nobody can do it like a steam train | |
| Woo woo, woo woo | |
| Listen to the rhythm of the steam train | |
| He whistled at me (woo woo) | |
| He sure knew how to do it | |
| He whistled at me (woo woo) | |
| This time he really blew it | |
| All because he whistled at me (woo woo) | |
| He sure knew how to woo me | |
| He whistled at me | |
| Now they can't undo me | |
| Mmm I'm sure he whistled at me (woo woo) | |
| Now every time you'll find him | |
| He whistled at me (woo woo) | |
| You'll find me there behind him | |
| All because he whistled at me (woo woo) | |
| He sure knew how to woo me | |
| He whistled at me |