"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.
I can't believe you had the nerve to say the things you said
It hurt so bad that they ended our relationship
I can't believe it
Four years go down the drain
How I wish things would have happened so differently
I tried to say this many times but still you couldn't see
You kept insisting and resisting
That you would not fall again
And now you're trying to tell me that you're sorry
And you're trying to come back home
You're telling me you really need me
Crying begging both knees on the floor
But baby, I
Don't want to try
Don't want to try
Don't want to try no more
You keep insisting
When you know our love is out the door
Don't want to try
Don't want to try cause all we do is fight
And say the things that we want to hold back?
To where we both begin to cry
Don't want to try
Don't want to try about your sadden love
It's been a rough road
Baby just let it go
Don't want to try
Don't want to try
Don't want to try no more
Tell me what's the use of holding on
When all we do is hurt our love
You've died? in many conversations on the telephone
Talks about one day of having a place of our own
Wake up in the morning and have breakfast ready on the table
But all of that seems so far away from me
Had to wake up face reality
It all just seemed to good to be true
After all you put me through
And now you're trying to tell me that you're sorry
And you're trying to come back home
You're telling me you really need me
Crying begging both knees on the floor
But baby, I
Don't want to try
Don't want to try
Don't want to try no more
You keep insisting
When you know our love is out the door
Don't want to try
Don't want to try cause all we do is fight
And say the things that we want to hold back?
To where we both begin to cry.
Don't want to try
Don't want to try about your sadden love
It's been a rough road
Baby just let it go
Don't want to try
Don't want to try
Don't want to try no more
Tell me what's the use of holding on
When all we do is hurt our love
It hurt so bad that they ended our relationship
I can't believe it
Four years go down the drain
How I wish things would have happened so differently
I tried to say this many times but still you couldn't see
You kept insisting and resisting
That you would not fall again
And now you're trying to tell me that you're sorry
And you're trying to come back home
You're telling me you really need me
Crying begging both knees on the floor
But baby, I
Don't want to try
Don't want to try
Don't want to try no more
You keep insisting
When you know our love is out the door
Don't want to try
Don't want to try cause all we do is fight
And say the things that we want to hold back?
To where we both begin to cry
Don't want to try
Don't want to try about your sadden love
It's been a rough road
Baby just let it go
Don't want to try
Don't want to try
Don't want to try no more
Tell me what's the use of holding on
When all we do is hurt our love
You've died? in many conversations on the telephone
Talks about one day of having a place of our own
Wake up in the morning and have breakfast ready on the table
But all of that seems so far away from me
Had to wake up face reality
It all just seemed to good to be true
After all you put me through
And now you're trying to tell me that you're sorry
And you're trying to come back home
You're telling me you really need me
Crying begging both knees on the floor
But baby, I
Don't want to try
Don't want to try
Don't want to try no more
You keep insisting
When you know our love is out the door
Don't want to try
Don't want to try cause all we do is fight
And say the things that we want to hold back?
To where we both begin to cry.
Don't want to try
Don't want to try about your sadden love
It's been a rough road
Baby just let it go
Don't want to try
Don't want to try
Don't want to try no more
Tell me what's the use of holding on
When all we do is hurt our love
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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,
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.
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/
I cant believe so little people have posted on this song! Its a great song and its lyrics have the ability to relate to so many relationships! Love it... Frankie J is sweet...