"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.
It was a late Thursday night, when I decided to write this song
Just me, bow wow, my dirty floor
Everyone's asleep, but the TV is still on
Debating the past three years, what I did right and wrong
So tell me is this world we live in all right
Why does every conversation end in a fight?
Why does every fight keep us apart day and night?
'Cause I'm trying to see the sun rise today
I've been burning bridges
Always burning bridges
Just think of life, what do you know
At twenty-two, I've learned all I need to know
I've made mistakes, I've burned a bridge
Apologize (what?), there's only one life to live
When everybody's gone, and the radio's still on
That's when I realize it's all I need to carry on
So tell me is this world we live in all right
Why does every conversation end in a fight?
Why does every fight keep us apart day and night?
'Cause I'm trying to see the sun rise today
I've been burning bridges
Always burning bridges
I've been burning bridges (I'm looking at a lifetime)
Always burning bridges (in these past three years)
So tell me is this world we live in all right
Why does every conversation end in a fight?
Try to explain this life in black and white
'Cause I'm gonna see the sun rise today
I've been burning bridges
Always burning bridges
I've been burning bridges (I'm looking at a lifetime)
Always burning bridges (in these past three years)
I've been burning bridges (I'm looking at a lifetime)
Always burning bridges (in these past three years)
Just me, bow wow, my dirty floor
Everyone's asleep, but the TV is still on
Debating the past three years, what I did right and wrong
So tell me is this world we live in all right
Why does every conversation end in a fight?
Why does every fight keep us apart day and night?
'Cause I'm trying to see the sun rise today
I've been burning bridges
Always burning bridges
Just think of life, what do you know
At twenty-two, I've learned all I need to know
I've made mistakes, I've burned a bridge
Apologize (what?), there's only one life to live
When everybody's gone, and the radio's still on
That's when I realize it's all I need to carry on
So tell me is this world we live in all right
Why does every conversation end in a fight?
Why does every fight keep us apart day and night?
'Cause I'm trying to see the sun rise today
I've been burning bridges
Always burning bridges
I've been burning bridges (I'm looking at a lifetime)
Always burning bridges (in these past three years)
So tell me is this world we live in all right
Why does every conversation end in a fight?
Try to explain this life in black and white
'Cause I'm gonna see the sun rise today
I've been burning bridges
Always burning bridges
I've been burning bridges (I'm looking at a lifetime)
Always burning bridges (in these past three years)
I've been burning bridges (I'm looking at a lifetime)
Always burning bridges (in these past three years)
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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”
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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/
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
the new cd kicks
makes me contemplate, and realize that whatever has happened, has happened for a reason and there is no reason to freak out over it.
i agree with spidergirl because everything that has happened to me with my ex now this past year happened for a reason and i realized it and now that its gone i want it back but theirs nothing i can do but to just move on and thats what i gonna do and i am gonna watch the sun come up again. its a good song for those who are into Emo.
with each comment i put towards mest, they have the same point. the kid lives his life like the last day. he's realizing all the things he's done. we all have regrets. he's hurting inside realizing the things that he has done, and he knows that everyone else in the world is just as bad as he is. we all make mistakes, and we move on. and we all realize in the end that what we had done was wrong.
i'm kind of on the fence on this one. it's not a bad song at all, but it just doesn't click with me. catchy though.