"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.
Is love so fragile
And the heart so hollow?
Shatter with words
Impossible to follow
You're saying I'm fragile I try not to be
I search only for something I can't see
I have my own life and I am stronger
Than you know
But I carry this feeling
When you walked into my house
That you won't be walking out the door
Still I carry this feeling
When you walked into my house
That you won't be walking out the door
Lovers forever face to face
My city, your mountains
Stay with me, stay
I need you to love me
I need you today
Give to me your leather
Take from me my lace
You in the moonlight
With your sleepy eyes
Could you ever love a man like me?
And you were right
When I walked into your house
I knew I'd never want to leave
Sometimes I'm a strong man
Sometimes cold and scared
And sometimes I cry
But that time I saw you
I knew with you to light my nights
Somehow I'd get by
First time I saw you
I knew with you to light my nights
Somehow I would get by
Lovers forever face to face
My city, your mountains
Stay with me, stay
I need you to love me
I need you today
Give to me your leather
Take from me my lace
Lovers forever face to face
My city, your mountains
Stay with me, stay
I need you to love me
I need you today
Give to me your leather
Take from me my lace
But take from me my lace
Take from me my lace
And the heart so hollow?
Shatter with words
Impossible to follow
You're saying I'm fragile I try not to be
I search only for something I can't see
I have my own life and I am stronger
Than you know
But I carry this feeling
When you walked into my house
That you won't be walking out the door
Still I carry this feeling
When you walked into my house
That you won't be walking out the door
Lovers forever face to face
My city, your mountains
Stay with me, stay
I need you to love me
I need you today
Give to me your leather
Take from me my lace
You in the moonlight
With your sleepy eyes
Could you ever love a man like me?
And you were right
When I walked into your house
I knew I'd never want to leave
Sometimes I'm a strong man
Sometimes cold and scared
And sometimes I cry
But that time I saw you
I knew with you to light my nights
Somehow I'd get by
First time I saw you
I knew with you to light my nights
Somehow I would get by
Lovers forever face to face
My city, your mountains
Stay with me, stay
I need you to love me
I need you today
Give to me your leather
Take from me my lace
Lovers forever face to face
My city, your mountains
Stay with me, stay
I need you to love me
I need you today
Give to me your leather
Take from me my lace
But take from me my lace
Take from me my lace
Lyrics submitted by joeys girl
Leather and Lace Lyrics as written by Stephanie Nicks
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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,
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Such a beautiful song. And I'm not just saying that because I'm a huge Stevie Nicks fan. I really think this is just one of the greatest love songs. Although I think it's supposed to represent a woman who might be a bit on the emotional side and wears her heart on her sleeve and a man who isn't as open about his feelings and tries to be a "tough" guy, I think it can be applied to almost any relationship. After all I think the song comes down to just finding that special someone. A truly touching song. I think it would make a great song to be played at a wedding.
Originally this was a Waylon Jennings and Jessi Coltier duet, which they both wrote together. However, with the country-folk-rock inspiration that Henley and Nicks brought to the song, I think this is a much better version. More edge to it, than the original. I agree, this is defiantly one of the greatest love songs of all time. Its so feminine, but a strong feminine. Then the masculine side I find is open & somewhat sensitive, which is also beautiful. A perfect balance. All together, the personas, the lyrics, the vocals, and the instrumental are all amazing. Her voice is at its best in this song. Love it!
Actually this was a song written by Stevie Nicks in collaboration with Don Henley by request from Waylon; he wanted to sing it with his wife at the time. But by the time Stevie finished it (with help from Henley) Waylon and Jessi were breaking up. Stevie then decided after all the work put into it by her and Henley and that it is meant for a duet, they recorded it.
One of the best love songs ever. The lyrics are sensitive and touching without being the least bit sappy. The two voices are perfect for the song, and the music is beautiful in it's own right.
Anyway, the lyrics seem to deal mostly with the fragile nature of the two people's personalities. The title Leather and Lace says it all. His love is like leather, thick and tough, masculine - like men themselves (hard muscles, hard.......elsewhere). Her love is like lace, soft and delicate, feminine - like women (soft skin, softer facial features and again, soft elsewhere). "Give to me your leather take from me my lace" Yet he shows quite a bit of sensitivity and lack of confidence ("Sometimes I'm a strong man, Sometimes cold and scared, And sometimes I cry") but knows that her love can help him get by. Whereas she seems to be of very strong character, and says so herself (I have my own life, and I am stronger Than you know"). She seems to appreciate his sensitive and fragile nature.
they're not in love yet, but she can tell with an almost prophetic sense that they will be shortly - and will be forever.
Totally agree with you, except I think they are in love. And will be forever.<br /> <br /> I love Will Ferrell and Dave Grohl's version, too. :-)
For some strange reason, I was dreaming about this song (the tune) all last night. I was a baby when it was originally released. And for some reason, I was getting the lyrics mixed up with another tune called "Danny's Song". However, somehow I knew the lyrics in my head "take from me..." were from a song by Stevie Nicks because she has that signature sound to her voice. I was SO relieved when I finally found the name of it, "Leather and Lace" (heard it all of my life - lol)! Now I'm searching for the meaning of "Leather and Lace" (VERY beautiful song!). This post is the most logical explanation so far." Thanks!
I had this song played at my wedding 27 years ago. I married a musician, so we also had Faithfully, by Journey. We hoped it would be good omens, and so far so good. We have been happily married the entire 27 years as of April 1, 2010.
@groovylee God bless you hope you are still rocking together
My mother used to hold me and dance to this when i was a baby. THe song still effects me now that i am 18. It is a great song.
Incredible song written by the GREAT Stevie Nicks! She wrote this song for Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter, in the 70's. She released it on her 1st solo LP "Bella Donna" in 81, as a duet with Eagles' singer DON HENLEY! INCREDIBLE SONG!!!
just a great and moving love song
i love this song, its beautiful.
I've always loved this song. I was eating lunch with a woman several years ago that I met through a guy I 'fell' in love with. She and I met for drinks and this song came on. I immediately picked up a fork and used it as a microphone. She quickly followed. We both were obviously moved by the words. She then took off her wedding ring and showed me the inscription....I give to you my leather. Wonderful moment. Wonderful song.
one of the greatest duet ever. the lyrics is so poetic and yet so true. not one bit of hypocricy in there, like a lot of songs do. this song is just a artful expression of truthful facts, sung by two great artists in a somewhat sad but honest and beautiful way......i hope i made some point.