"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.
You can have hearing loss when you're
Boyfriend says he's boss you're scared of a new endeavor.
What can be tempting you?
Who can be tempting you, you
Look like a winter.
You can't say no forever
You can't say no forever.
I've tried.
Run! if you have to run up to the mountain
Air a writer's retreat maybe.
Sheltered and lonely there a fireplace and a rocking
Chair you understand me.
You can't say no forever
You can't say no forever.
I've tried.
You can't say no in December as the trees
Lined the drive. I'm sure your family
Remembers me by your side.
Night! as your clothes discard he asks
Was your day hard you can barely answer
"Yes my world's tumbling down
Stone by stone to the ground"
Please take out the garbage.
You can't say no in December a piano
Played by a child's hand drifts over the
Verandah and I'm your man.
You can't say no forever.
You can't say no forever.
You can't say no forever.
You can't say no forever.
I've tried and I know why.
Boyfriend says he's boss you're scared of a new endeavor.
What can be tempting you?
Who can be tempting you, you
Look like a winter.
You can't say no forever
You can't say no forever.
I've tried.
Run! if you have to run up to the mountain
Air a writer's retreat maybe.
Sheltered and lonely there a fireplace and a rocking
Chair you understand me.
You can't say no forever
You can't say no forever.
I've tried.
You can't say no in December as the trees
Lined the drive. I'm sure your family
Remembers me by your side.
Night! as your clothes discard he asks
Was your day hard you can barely answer
"Yes my world's tumbling down
Stone by stone to the ground"
Please take out the garbage.
You can't say no in December a piano
Played by a child's hand drifts over the
Verandah and I'm your man.
You can't say no forever.
You can't say no forever.
You can't say no forever.
You can't say no forever.
I've tried and I know why.
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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/
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
Question about the "I've tried" line -- does the narrator mean he's tried to say no to the woman the song is addressed to? Or someone else?