Meet Virginia
Introduction "'''Meet Virginia'''" is the debut single of American roots rock band Train, released in 1998 from their self-titled debut album. Originally serviced to adult album alternative radio in March 1998, the song took over a year to gain popularity on mainstream radio, eventually reaching number 20 on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart in January 2000, becoming Train's first top-20 hit and their first single to appear on the Hot 100.It also reached the top 20 in Canada, peaking at number 15 on the ''RPM'' 100 Hit Tracks chart.
Background When asked whether the girl in the song was real or imaginary, Train's Twitter page said, "She's real parts of real woman sic that make up a woman that I've always wanted to meet". Singer Patrick Monahan added that one of the women who inspired the song was bassist Charlie Colin's girlfriend. One day, Train was playing pickup softball with some members of Counting Crows, another Bay area band. Charlie's girlfriend  came over from a wedding shower still wearing a long dress and high heels, and proceeded to play shortstop for Train's team. This inspired the line, "Wears high heels when she exercises".
Reception Roxanne Blanford of AllMusic says "Meet Virginia" is one of a few songs from the album ''Train'' that has "inspired hooks and reflective lyrics". Christa L. Titus, of ''Billboard'' magazine in her review of their second album, called the song an "ode to a wrong-side-of-the-tracks girl full of quirky contradictions."
Music video "Meet Virginia" has a music video that takes place inside a diner and stars actress Rebecca Gayheart. The video was shot at the Merritt Bakery and Restaurant in Oakland, California. Located on the south-western shore of Lake Merritt at 203 East 18th Street. The restaurant closed after a fire in 2016.
Track listing '''Australian maxi-CD single'''# "Meet Virginia" (pop version) – 3:44# "Meet Virginia" (album version) – 4:00# "If You Leave" (live) – 3:26# "I Am" (live) – 4:35# "Train" (live) – 5:50
Credits and personnel Credits are adapted from the US promo CD liner notes. '''Studio'''* Mastered at A&M Mastering Studios (Hollywood, California, US)'''Train'''* Train – writing, production* Patrick Monahan – vocals, percussion* Rob Hotchkiss – guitars, harmonica, vocals* Jimmy Stafford – guitars, mandolin, vocals* Charlie Colin – bass* Scott Underwood – drums, percussion'''Other musicians'''* Charlie Gillingham – organ, Mellotron, piano'''Additional personnel'''* Curtis Mathewson – production* Mike McHugh – engineering* Charles Quagliana – engineering* Matt Wallace – remixing* Alan Yoshida – mastering
Charts ===Weekly charts===+Weekly chart performance for "Meet Virginia"Chart (1999–2000)PeakpositionAustralia (ARIA)91===Year-end charts===+Year-end chart performance for "Meet Virginia"Chart (1999)PositionUS Adult Top 40 (''Billboard'')56US Mainstream Rock Tracks (''Billboard'')70US Mainstream Top 40 (''Billboard'')79US Modern Rock Tracks (''Billboard'')95Chart (2000)PositionUS ''Billboard'' Hot 10070US Adult Top 40 (''Billboard'')7US Mainstream Top 40 (''Billboard'')55
Release history +Release dates and formats for "Meet Virginia"RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United StatesMarch 1998Adult album alternative radioJuly 26, 1999July 27, 1999Contemporary hit radio
References