"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.
In the morning
She gone crazy
With a painted picture, yeah
Her father's story, uh-huh
A Bone China, my friends
A Bone China, let the summer come again, come again
I said oh, oh
She be dancing by the moonlit sky, I talkin' to you
Oh oh
She be drinking all my early times, yes indeed, yeah
Oh oh
She be moving like a butterfly, yeah
I'm just a-waitin' on that dream
Because the fast ones always ride for free
Ugly morning
She Jezebel's daughter, aw yeah
She like a Brunhilda
A child of the water
A Bone China, my friends
Ow, a Bone China, let the summer come again
I said, oh oh
She be dancing by the moonlit sky, I'm talking to her
Oh oh
She be moving like a butterfly, sting like a bee
Oh oh
She be shakin' like the girl from Shine, yes indeed, yeah
Oh oh
She be moving like a
She be moving like a
High falootin' like a
I'm just a-waiting on that dream, yeah yeah
'Cause the fast ones always ride for free
I, I, I, yeah
I'm just a-waitin' on that dream
'Cause the fast ones, the fast ones
Always ride for free, yeah
She gone crazy
With a painted picture, yeah
Her father's story, uh-huh
A Bone China, my friends
A Bone China, let the summer come again, come again
I said oh, oh
She be dancing by the moonlit sky, I talkin' to you
Oh oh
She be drinking all my early times, yes indeed, yeah
Oh oh
She be moving like a butterfly, yeah
I'm just a-waitin' on that dream
Because the fast ones always ride for free
Ugly morning
She Jezebel's daughter, aw yeah
She like a Brunhilda
A child of the water
A Bone China, my friends
Ow, a Bone China, let the summer come again
I said, oh oh
She be dancing by the moonlit sky, I'm talking to her
Oh oh
She be moving like a butterfly, sting like a bee
Oh oh
She be shakin' like the girl from Shine, yes indeed, yeah
Oh oh
She be moving like a
She be moving like a
High falootin' like a
I'm just a-waiting on that dream, yeah yeah
'Cause the fast ones always ride for free
I, I, I, yeah
I'm just a-waitin' on that dream
'Cause the fast ones, the fast ones
Always ride for free, yeah
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
The Night We Met
Lord Huron
Lord Huron
This is a hauntingly beautiful song about introspection, specifically about looking back at a relationship that started bad and ended so poorly, that the narrator wants to go back to the very beginning and tell himself to not even travel down that road. I believe that the relationship started poorly because of the lines:
"Take me back to the night we met:When the night was full of terrors: And your eyes were filled with tears: When you had not touched me yet"
So, the first night was not a great start, but the narrator pursued the relationship and eventually both overcame the rough start to fall in love with each other:
"I had all and then most of you"
Like many relationships that turn sour, it was not a quick decline, but a gradual one where the narrator and their partner fall out of love and gradually grow apart
"Some and now none of you"
Losing someone who was once everything in your world, who you could confide in, tell your secrets to, share all the most intimate parts of your life, to being strangers with that person is probably one of the most painful experiences a person can go through. So Painful, the narrator wants to go back in time and tell himself to not even pursue the relationship.
This was the perfect song for "13 Reasons Why"
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Bone China is a street term used for heroin. The word "Bone" used for uncut heroin. The word "China" is heroin in its purest form. Taking into consideration what Andrew died from...that's my guess. He refers to heroin as women in some of his songs. You can catch it in the lyrics if you understand the world of heroin.....very sad.
I'm not sure about the Shine reference but the band's first release, an EP was actually called Shine if that bears any relevance.
@layne1012 Hey, maybe "Shine" could refer to a "nightclub", a cafèbar, or alike.
Great Song!
I think the lyric is "THE girl from Shine" not "a girl from shine" and am hoping to find out what that means at some point. Was Shine a band with a female member? we will have to wait and see I guess...
On the second "Moving like a Butterfly" is followed by a quick "Sting like a bee"
I also think that drinking all my early times....Early Times should be capitalized because it is a kind of (horrible) whiskey.
Great Song
@Bellyfull of Swans Hey, Bellyfull. I suggested, in a comment above, that "Shine" is referring to a kind of a "nightclub", maybe also a kind of "stripclub", now and then, hehe. That could explain the stanza: "She be shakin' like the girl from Shine, yes indeed, yeah".<br />
@Bellyfull of Swans. Hey again, the answer to who "Bone China" is, can be found with the clue "Early Times", if that refer to a whiskey.
@Bellyfull of Swans. Hey, as I wrote below it can be 2 candidates to who "Bone China" is. "Chloe is already referred to as "the girl from Shine", but who is "Bone China". Either she is Xana, or the mysterious woman from the Chinatown. Was it "Early Times" whiskey at the table in the collective, or not? If it was then it probably would be Xana that is "Bone China", if not "Bone China" could be the mysterious prostitute from the "China quarters".
I also think "The girl from Shine" is a reference to the first album. Specifically, to Chloe from the song "Chloe Dancer".
I might be wrong, but I'm fairly sure that "the girl from Shine" is Chloe.
@taffydavenport Ah, yes, there you got it, I was into the same "answers".
@taffydavenport, I may actually be the person who wrote both the lyrics, "Chloe Dancer", and "Bone China". This was all the way back to a stay I had in Seattle in 1987, as well as in the music collective that Andrew (Andy) lived in. I was somewhat particularly interested in "Chloe", and may have probably referred to her in various contexts. As far as I remember, she also worked as a type of cafe waitress alongside her studies, sometimes also as a stripper. So it can also be fairly coherent with the texts.
@taffydavenport, Hey again, but the question is who is "Bone China"? Chloe is maybe reffered to in the text as "the girl from Shine", but who is "Bone China"? I try to remember that! Contemporary I have 2 possible candidates, it can be Xana, or another mysterious woman aquaintance from the "China quarters".
@taffydavenport, By the way, the mentioned mysterious female from the "Chinatown" was european american.
Hey, I can hereby introduce myself as "Mother Love Bone"'s lyricist, or as one of them. Got to know the music group in 1988. This in connection with a trip to Seattle, organized by the music magazine "Okej", in connection with a type of writing competition I won in that magazine. Me and the female Okay journalist went to Seattle together in 1988, I think it was sometime in the spring, maybe April/May, and we were there maybe 3 or 4 days. During this stay, I lived among other places in the musician's collective that Andy lived in, or Andrew Wood, the vocalist of "Makfunkshun", and later the brand new band Mother Love Bone. In connection with the Seattle stay, I managed to write at least 3or 4 of the lyrics, with some demo/melody, which the band then used further in the process of making music. The texts in question are; "Chloe Dancer/Crown of Thorns" (may have been just Chloe Dancer at first), Bone China, Stargazer, Man of Golden Words, with possibly more. The texts particularly describe meetings with different girls/women during my stay in Seattle, and more. Regarding "Man of Golden Words", it was written by me, together with Andy. That is to say, I was with Andy quite a lot during my stay. For example, went with Andy home to the island he came from just off Seattle, home to his childhood home. Some may recognize the phrase "He came from an Island" from the song "Say Hello 2 Heaven" by Temple Of The Dog, I was one of the people who helped write the lyrics. Back to the lyrics for "Man Of Golden Words", it was completed in Andy's dorm, where I was staying. Was involved in recording a demo with melody in that room, among other things. Otherwise, during my stay I managed to get to know 3 or 4 girls/women, and more. Also went to the cafe pub/strip club where Chloe worked, sort of got to know her too, who I thought was worth writing a song about, thought she was quite special and attractive. I can mention that I traveled back to Seattle later that same year in 1988. This in connection with an international summer school in Seattle, or on the island of Bainbridge Island. Was then possibly the whole summer vacation in Seattle, from 3/4 weeks to a 7/8 weeks, the acquaintance continued with Chloe, who had now become a substitute teacher, but also with Andy and the music group Mother Love Bone. Was among others at the same summer in 1988 with Andy on a trip to Texas, also further up again via California to Seattle. Several more song lyrics for Mother Love Bone were written during the mentioned trip, and the last stay in the summer of 1988. Worked and collaborated with Mother Love Bone until their until their dissolution in 1990, continued some with Pearl Jam.
The woman in Bone China could be Xana, or a mysterious woman aquaintance in Chinatown, that was a white european american.
I don't know if it's just me but it sounds like he sings Jezebel's donkey not daughter. Which would tie in with the Ugly morning lyric just before it. Maybe it's the morning after and she's hungover and not looking as good as she did the night before.
Hi all Ok... the correct lyrics... (or close enough)...
In the morning She gone crazy With a painted picture.... yeah Her father's story.... ah ha
Bone China - my friends a Bone China - let the summer come again.... ....come again I said.... oh oh She be dancing by the moonlit sky.... I'm talkin' to you.... oh oh She be drinkin' all my Early Times.... Doesn't need it.... oh oh She be movin' like a butterfly.... yeah
I'm just waiting on that dream.... .... because the fast ones always ride for free.
Ugly morning She Jezebel's daughter.... ah yeah She like a BroomHilda.... a Child of the water
a Bone China - my friends oh a Bone China - let the summer come again.... I said.... oh oh She be dancin' by the moonlit sky.... I'm talkin' to her.... oh oh She be movin' like a butterfly.... Sting like a bee.... oh oh She be shakin' like the girl from shrine.... Doesn't need it.... oh oh She be movin' like a.... She be movin' like a.... High falootin' like a....
I'm just waiting on that dream.... yeah.... .... cause the fast ones always ride for free.... .... ah ah ah yeah.... I'm just waiting on that dream.... .... cause the fast ones - the fast ones.... .... always ride for free.... yeah-hey.
This has to be my favorite song of all time I just love it. The lyrics that I have put are all definately correct with the exeption of the "Doesn't need it" which I have read may have been "Yes indeed yeah" which does sound like the words sung but I hate it... it just doesn't mean anything! but as far as I know the rest is bang on! The comment about the girl from shine from other users is void I think because he is singing shrine and not shine so it must have a completely different meaning which currently I have no idea about. Yeah it's daughter and not donkey??? cool though thought that was funny.... and thanks for the Early Times info had no idea it was whisky (I'm British) I just thought it was just an early time of day or something, now it makes a lot more sense. Anyway sorry for rambling but this is my favourite song!!!! I have a little more info though if anyone is at all interested just say and I'll post....
@BroomHilda ..."highfalutin' liar" is the correct lyric at the end of chorus 2
@BroomHilda @BroomHilda The correct lyric is<br /> <br /> "She's Jezebel's daughter"<br /> <br /> "She's like a Brunhilda"<br /> <br /> "Child of the war dead"<br /> <br /> Jezebel was an Israelite queen who incited her husband to worship false idols, and after an unpopular war, they were thrown out a window to their deaths by their own people.<br /> <br /> Brunhilda is a Valkyrie in norse mythology. One of the shield maidens who escorts the dead to Valhalla. In the Völsungasaga, her father was killed during a war by a rival king.<br /> <br /> And he's definitely not saying Shrine. I've been in the audience when MLB was playing the song. Very clearly says shine, which refers to the girl from Chloe Dancer, which first appeared on their EP "Shine".
@BroomHilda Hi, very well written and answered, I think. I have actually written the lyrics to the mentioned song, did that back in 1987, when I had a visit to Seattle, and stayed some days in "Andy`s " musician collective. But "Bone China" was compared with "the girl from Shine", I think. She shaked almost like her, hehe.
@BroomHilda Hey, the year was probably 1988, not 1987, just corrected that.
Well ok please forget now my gripe above about the incorrect lyrics.... I have had them changed!!
heya, good job on the lyrics here just one thing - very sorry, as it'syour username - it's Brunhilde, not BroomHilda. She was one of the valkyries ( as in Wagner's ride of...) XXX
Actually FYI - The BroomHilda is quite deliberate and is the exact spelling for the word used on the lyric in the track. Broom Hilda (a play on the word Brunnhilde) was actually a newspaper comic strip in America, in the 70's I believe, and featured a character called Broom Hilda who I belive was a hideous very old woman with green skin... anyway if you search for info about the broom hilda comic strip you should find more detailed information about it... But it is this Broom Hilda Andrew Wood was singing about using metaphor to compare the lady in this song to Broom Hilda... a horrible undesirable ogre-like woman... ...I hate to be a smart ass but don't go shooting your mouth off with a comment when you clearly don't know the song that well!!!
@BroomHilda Hey, "I made this", I wrote the lyrics, hehe.