M.T.A. is the Metropolitan Transit Authority in Boston. "Charlie on the M.T.A." was composed by the team of Steiner and Hawes in 1949 as a campaign song for Walter O'Brien who was running for mayor. Walter opposed a fare increase on the M.T.A. subway. The song was taught to folksinger Will Holt who recorded it in 1957.

In 1959 the Kingston Trio (Dave Guard, Bob Shane and Nick Reynolds) recorded the tune on the album "At Large", changing the candidates name to "George" to avoid litigation. "M.T.A." hit the top twenty.