Some songs are written. Others, it seems, choose the artist—and refuse to be forgotten until they’re finally brought into the light. That’s exactly the story behind “Waiting for a Train,” the latest release from Swedish indie-pop craftsman Mats Dernánd, which rolled out on May 15, 2025. It’s a radiant, melodic burst of optimism with an origin story as persistent as the hook itself—a tune that literally waited at the platform with him until he was ready to let it ride.
Long before Spotify streams and studio sessions, “Waiting for a Train” was just a haunting refrain in Mats’ head—born, fittingly, while standing on a literal train platform. And in a twist of fate that could only belong to a songwriter of his generation, the melody arrived before mobile phones were even a thing. No voice memo, no quick recording. Just a brain buzzing with rhythm and urgency and the looming risk of forgetting it all. So, he did it the old-fashioned way: pulled out a notebook and jotted down the notes with good old pen and paper. That small act of musical preservation would echo for years.
Despite becoming a prolific and decorated songwriter—earning accolades in major songwriting competitions and showcasing a kaleidoscopic range of talent as a singer, producer, keyboardist, trumpeter, and harmonica player—Mats continued to push the song to the side. “I tried to tell it ‘you’re too old,’” he laughs, reflecting on the tug-of-war with this persistent piece of his past. “But Waiting for a Train simply wouldn’t leave me alone. In the end, I decided to release it just to quiet my mind.”
And thank goodness he did. Because “Waiting for a Train” is more than just a charming anecdote—it’s a euphoric slice of sunshine-pop, drenched in melodic warmth and wrapped in the kind of musical craftsmanship that feels both timeless and deeply personal. There’s an undeniable energy running through the track, capturing the thrill of possibility and the romantic ache of anticipation—those moments when you’re suspended between the life you know and the one that could be waiting just around the corner.
It’s also a rare moment of full-circle artistry for Mats. For the first time in his career, he plays all of the instruments on the track—a feat that might surprise those who’ve come to know him for his collaborative flair. “But it’s really my amazing fellow musicians who bring the song to life,” he insists with characteristic humility. “The groove they create is something I could never have achieved on my own.” Even in a song that began in solitude, Mats remains deeply grounded in community—a storyteller who knows that even the most personal songs are meant to be shared.
And yes, he’s the first to admit that a title like “Waiting for a Train” could veer dangerously close to cliché territory. But he wears it like a badge of sincerity. “That’s okay,” he says. “I really did write the song while waiting for a train. And now it finally gets to be released. It deserves that, I think.”
It’s that blend of earnestness, talent, and storytelling that makes this song—and Mats himself—so compelling. “Waiting for a Train” isn’t just a song about trains, or time, or movement. It’s about listening to the melodies that follow us through the years, that patiently wait for us to catch up. With this release, Mats Dernánd has finally arrived at the station—and we’re lucky to be on board.
