"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.
Welcome to the abandoned land
Come on in child, take my hand
Here there's no work or play
Only one bill to pay
There's just five words to say
As you go down, down, down
You're gonna burn in hell
Oh, burn in hell
You can't believe all the things
I've done wrong in my life
Without even trying
I've lived on the edge of a knife
Well, I've played with fire
But I don't want to get myself burned
To thine own self be true
So I think that it's time for a turn
Before I burn in hell
Oh, burn in hell
Take a good look in your heart
Tell me what do you see?
It's black and it's dark
Now is that how you want it to be?
It's up to you
What you do will decide your own fate
Make your choice now
For tomorrow may be far too late
And then you'll burn in hell
Hear no evil, don't you
See no evil, don't you
(Oh, burn in hell) lay no evil down on me
You're gonna burn in hell
Speak no evil, don't you
Think no evil, don't you
(Oh, burn in hell)
Play with evil, 'cause I'm free
Hear no evil, don't you
See no evil, don't you
Lay no evil down on me
(You're gonna burn in hell)
Speak no evil, don't you
Think no evil, don't you
Play with evil, 'cause I'm free
(You're gonna burn in hell)
Hear no evil, don't you
See no evil, don't you
Lay no evil down on me
(You're gonna burn in hell)
Speak no evil, don't you
Think no evil, don't you
Play with evil, 'cause I'm free
(You're gonna burn in hell)
Hear no evil, don't you see no evil
(Oh, burn in hell) don't you lay no evil down on me
(You're gonna burn in hell)
Speak no evil, don't you think no evil
(Oh, burn in hell) don't you play with evil, 'cause I'm free
(You're gonna burn in hell)
Hear no evil, don't you see no evil
(Oh, burn in hell) don't you lay no evil down on me
Come on in child, take my hand
Here there's no work or play
Only one bill to pay
There's just five words to say
As you go down, down, down
You're gonna burn in hell
Oh, burn in hell
You can't believe all the things
I've done wrong in my life
Without even trying
I've lived on the edge of a knife
Well, I've played with fire
But I don't want to get myself burned
To thine own self be true
So I think that it's time for a turn
Before I burn in hell
Oh, burn in hell
Take a good look in your heart
Tell me what do you see?
It's black and it's dark
Now is that how you want it to be?
It's up to you
What you do will decide your own fate
Make your choice now
For tomorrow may be far too late
And then you'll burn in hell
Hear no evil, don't you
See no evil, don't you
(Oh, burn in hell) lay no evil down on me
You're gonna burn in hell
Speak no evil, don't you
Think no evil, don't you
(Oh, burn in hell)
Play with evil, 'cause I'm free
Hear no evil, don't you
See no evil, don't you
Lay no evil down on me
(You're gonna burn in hell)
Speak no evil, don't you
Think no evil, don't you
Play with evil, 'cause I'm free
(You're gonna burn in hell)
Hear no evil, don't you
See no evil, don't you
Lay no evil down on me
(You're gonna burn in hell)
Speak no evil, don't you
Think no evil, don't you
Play with evil, 'cause I'm free
(You're gonna burn in hell)
Hear no evil, don't you see no evil
(Oh, burn in hell) don't you lay no evil down on me
(You're gonna burn in hell)
Speak no evil, don't you think no evil
(Oh, burn in hell) don't you play with evil, 'cause I'm free
(You're gonna burn in hell)
Hear no evil, don't you see no evil
(Oh, burn in hell) don't you lay no evil down on me
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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/
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Is is just me. or does this song have a Christian Meaning? gasp Like even Dimmu Borgir wouldn't give two shits, cause its such an awesome song! TURN IT UP!
That is because Dee Snider is Christian....look up a clip of him speaking to committee that was first trying to control music lyrics
also check out several other songs "The Beast", "Sin After Sin", "Power and the Glory"