"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
I remember you so clearly
The first one through the door
And I return to find you drifting
Too far from the shore
I remember feeling this way
You can lose it without knowing
You wake up and you don't notice
Which way the wind is blowing
Don't fade
No, don't fade on me
You were the one who made things different
You were the one who took me in
You were the one thing I could count on
Above all you were my friend
So, don't fade
Don't fade on me (don't do it)
Well your clothes hang on a wire
And the sun is overhead
But today you are too weary
To even leave your bed
Was it love that took you under?
Or did you know too much?
Was it something you could picture?
But never could quite touch?
Don't fade
No, don't fade on me
Said "Don't fade"
Hey, don't fade on me
The first one through the door
And I return to find you drifting
Too far from the shore
I remember feeling this way
You can lose it without knowing
You wake up and you don't notice
Which way the wind is blowing
Don't fade
No, don't fade on me
You were the one who made things different
You were the one who took me in
You were the one thing I could count on
Above all you were my friend
So, don't fade
Don't fade on me (don't do it)
Well your clothes hang on a wire
And the sun is overhead
But today you are too weary
To even leave your bed
Was it love that took you under?
Or did you know too much?
Was it something you could picture?
But never could quite touch?
Don't fade
No, don't fade on me
Said "Don't fade"
Hey, don't fade on me
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
there's nothing more painful than watching some one you love lose themselves, emotionaly or physicaly.
to me, it's less someone losing themselves than someone drifting away from you. so i'm a little bit egocentric, sue me.
I like the music in this song. It's amazing what you can do with acoustic guitars and some kind of pseudo-open D tuning (not to mention Tom Petty and Mike Campbell).
I think this song is about the sudden realization that he and his wife were no longer what they once were. It's about her, but it's also about their relationship.