"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.
Little Suzi's on the up, looking for a get-away
Ruby tries to bring her down, she's lookin' for another way
Little Suzi's on the up, headin' for the spotlights
Ruby finally gets up, lookin' for some quiet night
And the music makes her feel so hot
Ooh and she'll smile for the camera with all she's got
Don't bring her down, she's a lot like you
She'll be richer by far if her dreams come true
Little Suzi's on the up
Little Suzi's on the up, now suddenly it's not a game
Ruby's got to give up, 'cause Suzi's plainly set on pain
Little Suzi's on the up, cost in cost, your point is made
Ruby's gonna hang around, to make sure Suzi's okay
And the music makes her feel so hot
Ooh and she'll smile for the camera with all she's got
Don't bring her down, she's a lot like you
She'll be richer by far if her dreams come true
Don't bring her down, she's a lot like you
She'll be richer by far if her dreams come true
Little Suzi's on the up
And the music makes her feel so hot
Ooh and she'll smile for the camera with all she's got
Don't bring her down, she's a lot like you
She'll be richer by far if her dreams come true
Don't you bring her down, she's a lot like you
She'll be richer by far when her dreams come true
Little Suzi's on the up, oh yes she is, ow!
Now she's on the up, little Suzi's on the up
Heading for the spotlight, oh little Suzi
Oh and the music makes her feel so hot, go little Suzi, yeah
Oh, yeah yeah, oh yeah
Ruby tries to bring her down, she's lookin' for another way
Little Suzi's on the up, headin' for the spotlights
Ruby finally gets up, lookin' for some quiet night
And the music makes her feel so hot
Ooh and she'll smile for the camera with all she's got
Don't bring her down, she's a lot like you
She'll be richer by far if her dreams come true
Little Suzi's on the up
Little Suzi's on the up, now suddenly it's not a game
Ruby's got to give up, 'cause Suzi's plainly set on pain
Little Suzi's on the up, cost in cost, your point is made
Ruby's gonna hang around, to make sure Suzi's okay
And the music makes her feel so hot
Ooh and she'll smile for the camera with all she's got
Don't bring her down, she's a lot like you
She'll be richer by far if her dreams come true
Don't bring her down, she's a lot like you
She'll be richer by far if her dreams come true
Little Suzi's on the up
And the music makes her feel so hot
Ooh and she'll smile for the camera with all she's got
Don't bring her down, she's a lot like you
She'll be richer by far if her dreams come true
Don't you bring her down, she's a lot like you
She'll be richer by far when her dreams come true
Little Suzi's on the up, oh yes she is, ow!
Now she's on the up, little Suzi's on the up
Heading for the spotlight, oh little Suzi
Oh and the music makes her feel so hot, go little Suzi, yeah
Oh, yeah yeah, oh yeah
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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.
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
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/
It's a cover from an older English band. Tesla did a much better version.
Agreed! :D
I always thought this song was written about Suzi Quattro(little suzi). But I see after reading the other posts that its a cover. damn good one too.
great intro, like most Tesla songs have
I absolutely love this song, and I kinda find it hard to believe that barely anyone has reviewed anything by Tesla on this site...it's a shame. Tesla's a damn good band.
Little Suzi isn't "clearly set on pain," she is actually "clearly set on fame."
Why are these incorrect lyrics on every single web site???
Ooops, I meant "plainly set on fame," not "clearly." I guess that's where bad lyrics come from!
I think this is a lesbian song. It seems to me that Ruby is jealous that Suzi loves fame more than Ruby. "Ruby tries to bring her down, she's lookin' for another way." There are two innuendos here; "tries to bring her down" (entice Suzi into a lesbian love) and "another way" (alternate lifestyle). "Ruby's got to give up, 'cause Suzi's plainly set on fame Little Suzi's on the up, casting couch appointments made Ruby's gonna hang around, to make sure Suzi's okay" I believe these lines illustrate Ruby's imminent failure and persistent intent in the face of Suzi's deep passion for the spotlight. Just my thought since the first time I heard this song.
@MadRhino Although a lesbian story would be hot, Im pretty sure the song is about one girl named Ruby. Suzi is Ruby's stage name. The girl is basically becoming a totally different person, she's letting the person she's "acting" as become who she really is. At least, that's my take.
This is a good song, but its acutally not a Tesla song. It is a cover from an obsecure British band called PhD. Tesla renamed it Little Suzi from "Little Suzi's on the Up" when they covered it.
@shadowduck <br /> <br /> Correct.
And in the second verse, the line is "Casting couch, appointment's made" not "cost in cost your point is made..." which makes no sense. Great song