"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.
Find the colour
Sight and sound
A new exposure comes around
Anaesthetic for the mind
Hear the voice that soothes away the pain
Television, satellite,
Conversation running dry
Sending back another text
Holding on to words you might regret
You know you might regret
Cause now I can see that I love all the things
That you do with each day
And it feels, so damn good
Every second that passes me by With the blink of an eye
It just feels, so damn good
Find the colour, find the colour
Looking for something new
A taste of life to pull you through
Defences down your feeling low
A change in feeling comes around again
Its coming round again
Cause now I can see that I love all the things
That you do with each day
And it feels, so damn good
Every second that passes me by
With the blink of an eye
It just feels, so damn good
So damn good
I read the papers yesterday
They say that the bubble boy's ok
Another day of rain to come
We're sitting back still waiting for the sun
Waiting for the sun
Cause now I can see that I love all the things
That you do with each day
And it feels, so damn good
Every second that passes me by
With the blink of an eye
It just feels, so damn good
Now I see that I love all the things
That you do with each day
And it feels, so damn good
Every second that passes me by
With the blink of an eye
It just feels, so damn good
Sight and sound
A new exposure comes around
Anaesthetic for the mind
Hear the voice that soothes away the pain
Television, satellite,
Conversation running dry
Sending back another text
Holding on to words you might regret
You know you might regret
Cause now I can see that I love all the things
That you do with each day
And it feels, so damn good
Every second that passes me by With the blink of an eye
It just feels, so damn good
Find the colour, find the colour
Looking for something new
A taste of life to pull you through
Defences down your feeling low
A change in feeling comes around again
Its coming round again
Cause now I can see that I love all the things
That you do with each day
And it feels, so damn good
Every second that passes me by
With the blink of an eye
It just feels, so damn good
So damn good
I read the papers yesterday
They say that the bubble boy's ok
Another day of rain to come
We're sitting back still waiting for the sun
Waiting for the sun
Cause now I can see that I love all the things
That you do with each day
And it feels, so damn good
Every second that passes me by
With the blink of an eye
It just feels, so damn good
Now I see that I love all the things
That you do with each day
And it feels, so damn good
Every second that passes me by
With the blink of an eye
It just feels, so damn good
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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,
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.
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.
I cannot believe no one has written anything about this song. Its absolutely brilliant!! 'it just feels so damn good'
I cannot believe no one has written anything about this song. Its absolutely brilliant!! 'it just feels so damn good'
excellent song. to me its about trying to feel better after being down for a while.
I love this. It's pretty self-explanatory, I think, but I'll write something about it anyway. It's pretty much just about finding the upside in everything. When it rains, don't think about what sucks about that. Just remember that the sun will come out tomorrow. Finding the color in the gray. It's a great song. Group, too.
What does he mean by Purple Boy?