"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.
The night.
She brushed her hands upon my flushed cheek
Smelled of childhood remnants of a dusty weeping willow
Clouds soothe, Shredded by the calico
Were oh so vast and quick as I was on my own now.
This time like every other time I believe that I never find
Another sweet little girl with sequined sea foam eyes
Ocean lapping voice smile coy as the brightest quiet span of sky
And I'm all alone again tonight not again, not again, not again.
And don't it feel alright. and don't it feel so nice. Lovely.
Still I'm unable to inhale all the riches
As I'm awkward as a wound on my bones
Still I've got cobblestone joints and plate glass points
As I'm all by myself tonight not again not again
And don't it feel alright. and don't it feel so nice. Lovely.
Well if you should nervously break down
When its time for the shakedown would you take it
It's when you cry just a little but you laugh in the middle that you've made it
And don't it feel alright. and don't it feel so nice.
Lovely.
Say it again. Lovely. So lovely. to do it again
Again. Loving again. It's coming again.
Lovely.
She brushed her hands upon my flushed cheek
Smelled of childhood remnants of a dusty weeping willow
Clouds soothe, Shredded by the calico
Were oh so vast and quick as I was on my own now.
This time like every other time I believe that I never find
Another sweet little girl with sequined sea foam eyes
Ocean lapping voice smile coy as the brightest quiet span of sky
And I'm all alone again tonight not again, not again, not again.
And don't it feel alright. and don't it feel so nice. Lovely.
Still I'm unable to inhale all the riches
As I'm awkward as a wound on my bones
Still I've got cobblestone joints and plate glass points
As I'm all by myself tonight not again not again
And don't it feel alright. and don't it feel so nice. Lovely.
Well if you should nervously break down
When its time for the shakedown would you take it
It's when you cry just a little but you laugh in the middle that you've made it
And don't it feel alright. and don't it feel so nice.
Lovely.
Say it again. Lovely. So lovely. to do it again
Again. Loving again. It's coming again.
Lovely.
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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”
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/
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
whoa, this songs means a lot of different things to a lot of different people! :) maybe i'm just perverted but i coulda swore this song was totally about sex.
I cant believe no one has commented on this song yet. Its my favorite Jason Mraz song. It reminds me of a dream..and the summertime. A feeling incircles my body when i listen to this song.. it has a very myterious feeling attched to it. lllloooovvveeelllyyy
As a side note, this song was inspired by a poem of the same name by his friend Jenny Keene.
reminds me of the summer. mmm.
I absolutely love this song of Jason's. His musical talent and his voice are amazing and beautiful. When I hear it, I think of a boy and a girl so in love and how its such a lovely feeling, and they don't want to leave one another
yea i thought it was about sex too...but beautiful sex.
"It's when you cry just a little but you laugh in the middle that you've made it And don't it feel allright. and don't it feel so nice. Lovely. "
Sex is beautiful depending on the way it's done and the way it's portrayed. Mraz portrays it beautifully. It's graceful.
I've heard live shows where he explains the song. His words "This is a song about being in love with..... when your alone at home and you think you might be sad, but then you realize, damn I had a great time by myself" he also alludes to masturbation in his live versions with lines like tonight I feel like coming again. The verses are the part where he is kinda bummed and then the chorus is when he's having a great time with himself. A kinda scandelous thing presented in a very lovely melodic way. Great song....
I think this song is about relationships, in general -- how he gets into them, and how they end. "as I was on my own now" and "this time, like every other time" and "ANOTHER sweet little girl" point to there being several relationships. The following verse with "unable to inhale all the riches" may point to him not fully appreciating what he has, because, as the old saying goes, you don't know what you have until it's gone. That could be a reason for all the relationships ending, too. Just a thought. And the note he carries out after the interlude, that long "again"... I love it. Great, great song. Reminds me of nights last summer.
Wow thanks Tocabowl, I really like this song and I loved it at first and then started listening closer and said to my wife "Man I think this is about masturbating!" That's what I got out of it anyway. In the first verse seems he's talking about a girl that was turning him on but then left him alone and so then he's all alone tonight (not again, not again) and he thinks about her and, well, it's just lovely. Lovely. Lovely. :)