I Like Trains (From "ASDFMOVIE") - Slowed Down Version

Surface Meaning: On the surface, the song is a literal narration of a recurring gag from the animated web series asdfmovie. It tells the story of a boy cursed with the ability (or affliction) to summon a speeding train simply by stating his preference for them. The humor derives from the non-sequitur violence; no matter the context—school, a doctor's visit, or a wedding—the result is always a sudden, destructive train arrival.

The "Slowed Down" Reinterpretation: This specific version by Speed Geek alters the listening experience significantly. By slowing the track and lowering the pitch, the song moves away from the manic, high-energy ska/pop-punk feel of the original LilDeuceDeuce composition. It recontextualizes the humor into something surreal and slightly uncanny. The "curse" of the main character feels heavier and more doom-laden when delivered in a deep, slurred baritone. It taps into the vaporwave and slowed + reverb aesthetic, which often treats nostalgia as a distorted, dreamlike state.

Satirical Undertones: The lyrics satirize the randomness of internet humor and the repetitive nature of catchphrases. The character's life is ruined repeatedly by his one defining trait, yet he continues to embrace it. The "slowed" aspect amplifies the absurdity, turning a quick joke into a prolonged, hypnotic auditory experience that highlights the bizarre tragedy of the character's existence.

The song chronicles the tragic yet comedic life of a character known as the "I Like Trains" kid. The narrator begins by introducing this peculiar boy, noting that while he seems cool, there is something fundamentally different about him; specifically, he is compelled to utter a single phrase: "I like trains."

The story traces his life from birth, revealing that he never spoke a word to his parents until his first day of school. When the teacher asked for his name, he simply smiled and delivered his signature catchphrase. This pattern continues through medical interventions; doctors prescribe Ritalin to help him, but he merely responds with a creepy smile and the affirmation that he feels great.

Despite his condition, the character manages to achieve traditional markers of success. He secures a well-paying job, straightens out his life, and falls in love. The narrative reaches a climax at his wedding, where he stands at the altar with his bride. However, as he prepares to say his vows and places the ring on her finger, the compulsion takes over. He says, "I like trains," implying that a train immediately crashes through the ceremony, destroying his happiness.

The song concludes with a series of rapid-fire scenarios where the phrase serves as a universal, chaotic solution to life's problems. Whether facing bad grades, an awkward date, or even a dislike for trains, the inevitable response and consequence remain the same: "I like trains," followed by the destruction of a speeding locomotive.

The Source Material (asdfmovie): The origins of this track lie in asdfmovie2, an animated sketch comedy video released in 2010 by Thomas "TomSka" Ridgewell. The character, known as the "I Like Trains Kid," was voiced by animator Edd Gould (creator of Eddsworld). The gag became an instant viral hit due to its abrupt, deadpan delivery.

The Original Song (2011): Capitalizing on the character's popularity, TomSka collaborated with musician Todd Bryanton (known as LilDeuceDeuce) to create a full-length song and music video, released in September 2011. The song was originally written to promote merchandise but became a staple of YouTube culture.

The Speed Geek Remix (c. 2021): Years later, the trend of "slowed and reverb" remixes gained traction on platforms like TikTok and YouTube. The artist Speed Geek specializes in releasing modified versions of popular internet songs (both sped up and slowed down). This specific version takes LilDeuceDeuce's original vibrant track and digitally processes it to reduce the tempo and pitch. While the exact release date of the Speed Geek edit is difficult to pinpoint to a single day, these edits surged in popularity around 2020–2022, serving as background audio for short-form video content.

Rhyme Scheme: The lyrics follow a simple AABB or ABAB rhyme scheme (e.g., word/heard, name/trains). This nursery-rhyme simplicity contrasts with the violent outcomes of the story. The rhymes are mostly perfect, contributing to the song's catchy, earworm quality.

Rhythmic Alteration: The original song features a driving, 4/4 pop-punk beat. In the Speed Geek version, the rhythm is dragged. The beats per minute (BPM) are significantly lowered, creating a 'sludge-like' feel. The interplay between the lyrical rhythm (which was originally snappy) and the new musical rhythm creates a sense of lag, as if the singer is struggling to get the words out, enhancing the surreal aesthetic.

Auditory Distortion (Slowed + Reverb): The defining technique of this version is digital time-stretching and pitch-shifting. The tempo is drastically reduced, and the pitch is lowered, giving the vocals a deep, masculine, and somewhat lethargic quality. This technique, borrowed from Chopped and Screwed and Vaporwave genres, adds a layer of 'druggy' or dreamlike haze to the track.

Juxtaposition: The lyrics describe violent and chaotic events (getting hit by a train), but the original musical arrangement was upbeat and happy. The slowed version creates a new juxtaposition: the absurdity of the cartoon lyrics clashing with a dark, brooding, and heavy sonic atmosphere.

Repetition: The song relies heavily on the refrain "I like trains." In the slowed version, this repetition becomes hypnotic rather than energetic. The phrase is repeated as a mantra, losing its semantic meaning and becoming a rhythmic anchor.

Narrative Arc: The lyrics employ a classic linear narrative structure (birth -> school -> job -> marriage), a common storytelling trope, only to subvert it at every stage with the same destructive punchline.

Internet Heritage: The "I Like Trains" kid is one of the most recognizable figures from the golden age of YouTube animation. The original video and song helped cement TomSka as a leading content creator and popularized the style of random, non-sequitur humor that defined the era.

The "Slowed" Trend: Speed Geek's version represents the second life of internet memes. It highlights the modern trend of remixing nostalgic content for short-form video platforms (TikTok, Instagram Reels). These "slowed" versions are often used for "edits"—fan-made video montages that are either emotional, ironic, or aesthetic.

Merchandising: The original song was explicitly created to save the asdfmovie brand during a merchandising dispute, proving the economic power of viral memes. This remix continues that legacy by keeping the intellectual property relevant to a new generation of listeners who consume audio in snippets.

The Train: The train serves as a metaphor for inevitable, abrupt chaos. It functions as a comedic deus ex machina that interrupts life's tender or serious moments (education, marriage). In the context of the "Slowed Down" version, the train's arrival feels less like a slapstick punchline and more like a looming, sluggish fate.

The Catchphrase ("I Like Trains"): This phrase symbolizes obsessive fixation and the inability to communicate or function within social norms. The character tries to integrate into society (getting a job, getting married), but his fundamental nature (the catchphrase) always destroys his progress. It represents the destructive power of a single, unchangeable trait.

The Slowed Tempo: Musically, the slowing down of the track symbolizes distortion of memory. It takes a piece of "cringe" or "nostalgic" internet culture and stretches it out, forcing the listener to dwell on every beat, transforming a fleeting joke into a grotesque, atmospheric soundscape.

"I Like Trains": This is the central motif and hook. It acts as a trigger mechanism in the narrative. Every time it is uttered, the music typically swells or shifts to anticipate the impact of the train. In the slowed version, this phrase sounds like a deep, demonic command.

"Oh-oh-oh": The melodic refrain between verses. In the slowed version, this backing vocal becomes a haunting, moaning choral effect rather than a pop singalong element.

The "Whoosh" Sound: Although primarily a visual gag in the animation, the song implies the sound of the train impact. The rhythm breaks often simulate the sudden interruption of the train.