"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.
One, two
Check out how we do
One, two
I'ma make it hot like fire
I'ma make it hot like fire
I'ma make it hot like fire
Your hotter than a summer day in California
You got me melting like a sundae and I want ya
I know you've been waiting
you've been waiting a long time for me (for me)
But if you wait a little while longer this is how it be
Oh, it's gonna be
Hot like fire
I'm gonna take you
Take you higher (no, you)
You can't resist (when me and you)
Kiss, kiss, and kiss and kiss and kiss
You shouldn't rush it, take our time
I'll let you know when I'm ready if that's alright
I won't keep you, I won't keep you
I won't keep you holding on (holding on)
But if you wait on me, I promise you it won't be long
Oh, it's gonna be
Hot like fire
I'm gonna take you
Take you higher (you won't)
You can't resist (oh no)
Kiss, kiss, and kiss and kiss and kiss
I'm gonna make it
Hot like (like) fire
And I'm gonna take you
Take (baby) you higher
(No, you won't resist, oh-no-no-no)
You can't resist (when me and you)
Kiss, kiss, and kiss, and kiss, and kiss
Baby, take your time
Take your time, don't move too fast (no, no, no)
Take your time, there's no rushing babe, no, no, no
Take your time (whoa, take your time)
Take your time
I'm gonna make it all good for you, baby
Hot like fire
And I'm gonna take you
Take you higher
No, no, no, you won't resist
You can't resist (when I taste your lips)
Kiss, kiss, and kiss and kiss and kiss (your sweet lips, baby)
Hot like fire (oh-no-no-no)
Take you higher (oh-no-no-no)
You can't resist (oh-no-no-no)
Kiss, kiss, and kiss and kiss and kiss (oh-no-no-no)
Ah, c'mon can you feel us?
Ah, c'mon can you feel us? (Ba-baby)
C'mon can you feel us?
Ah, c'mon can you feel us? (Ba-baby)
Ah, c'mon can you feel us? What?
Ah, c'mon can you feel us? (Ba-baby)
C'mon can you feel us?
Huh, we're gonna make it hot, baby (ba-baby)
(Ba-baby)
(Ba-baby)
Check out how we do
One, two
I'ma make it hot like fire
I'ma make it hot like fire
I'ma make it hot like fire
Your hotter than a summer day in California
You got me melting like a sundae and I want ya
I know you've been waiting
you've been waiting a long time for me (for me)
But if you wait a little while longer this is how it be
Oh, it's gonna be
Hot like fire
I'm gonna take you
Take you higher (no, you)
You can't resist (when me and you)
Kiss, kiss, and kiss and kiss and kiss
You shouldn't rush it, take our time
I'll let you know when I'm ready if that's alright
I won't keep you, I won't keep you
I won't keep you holding on (holding on)
But if you wait on me, I promise you it won't be long
Oh, it's gonna be
Hot like fire
I'm gonna take you
Take you higher (you won't)
You can't resist (oh no)
Kiss, kiss, and kiss and kiss and kiss
I'm gonna make it
Hot like (like) fire
And I'm gonna take you
Take (baby) you higher
(No, you won't resist, oh-no-no-no)
You can't resist (when me and you)
Kiss, kiss, and kiss, and kiss, and kiss
Baby, take your time
Take your time, don't move too fast (no, no, no)
Take your time, there's no rushing babe, no, no, no
Take your time (whoa, take your time)
Take your time
I'm gonna make it all good for you, baby
Hot like fire
And I'm gonna take you
Take you higher
No, no, no, you won't resist
You can't resist (when I taste your lips)
Kiss, kiss, and kiss and kiss and kiss (your sweet lips, baby)
Hot like fire (oh-no-no-no)
Take you higher (oh-no-no-no)
You can't resist (oh-no-no-no)
Kiss, kiss, and kiss and kiss and kiss (oh-no-no-no)
Ah, c'mon can you feel us?
Ah, c'mon can you feel us? (Ba-baby)
C'mon can you feel us?
Ah, c'mon can you feel us? (Ba-baby)
Ah, c'mon can you feel us? What?
Ah, c'mon can you feel us? (Ba-baby)
C'mon can you feel us?
Huh, we're gonna make it hot, baby (ba-baby)
(Ba-baby)
(Ba-baby)
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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,
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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/
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
this has a nice beat to it