Before the song, he has been told by the old steam engine Poppa of a magical locomotive, named the Starlight Express, who will aid him in need.
In the Broadway production, Greg Mowry sings the song in the key of G major and modulates to Ab.
The first draft started with the line However, the verses were rewritten when the show opened on Broadway, in Germany, Japan and Australia.
The Starlight Express Introduction was performed on Broadway and in London by Poppa and Belle.
The number uses the first verse and chorus tunes from the London Production, and is used for the moment when Rusty first hears of the Starlight Express.