"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 were my sun
You were my earth
But you didn't know all the ways I loved you, no
So you took a chance
And made other plans
But I bet you didn't think that they would come crashing down, no
You don't have to say, what you did
I already know, I found out from him
Now there's just no chance
For you and me
There'll never be
And don't it make you sad about it?
You told me you love me
Why did you leave me all alone?
Now you tell me you need me
When you call me on the phone
Girl, I refuse
You must have me confused with some other guy
The bridges were burned
Now it's your turn, to cry
Cry me a river
Cry me a river
Cry me a river
Cry me a river (yeah, yeah)
You know that they say that some things are better left unsaid
And it wasn't like you only talked to him and you know it
Don't act like you don't know it
And all of these things people told me
Keep messin' with my head (messin' with my head)
Should've picked honesty
Then you may not have blown it (yeah)
You don't have to say (don't have to say)
What you did (what you did)
I already know (I already know)
I found out from him (uh)
Now there's just no chance (no chance)
For you and me (you and me)
There'll never be
Don't it make you sad about it?
You told me you love me
Why did you leave me all alone (all alone)
Now you tell me you need me
When you call me on the phone (when you call me on the phone)
Girl, I refuse
You must have me confused with some other guy (I'm not like them baby)
The bridges were burned
Now it's your turn (it's your turn) to cry
So cry me a river (go on and just)
Cry me a river (go on and just)
Cry me a river (baby, go on and just)
Cry me a river (yeah, yeah)
Oh (oh!)
The damage is done, so I guess I be leaving
Oh (oh!)
The damage is done, so I guess I be leaving
Oh (oh!)
The damage is done, so I guess I be leaving
Oh (oh!)
The damage is done, so I guess I be, leaving
You don't have to say (you don't have to say)
What you did (what you did)
I already know (I already know)
I found out from him (uh)
Now there's just no chance (no chance)
For you and me (you and me)
There'll never be
Don't it make you sad about it?
Cry me a river (go on and just)
Cry me a river (baby, go on and just)
Cry me a river (you can go on and just)
Cry me a river (yeah, yeah)
Cry me a river (baby, go on and just)
Cry me a river (go on and just)
Cry me a river (come on baby, cry)
Cry me a river (I don't wanna cry no more, yeah yeah)
Cry me a river
Cry me a river, oh
Cry me a river, oh
Cry me a river, oh
Cry me a river (cry me, cry me) oh
Cry me a river (cry me, cry me) oh
Cry me a river (cry me, cry me) oh
Cry me a river (cry me, cry me) oh
Cry me a river (cry me, cry me) oh
Cry me a river (cry me, cry me) oh
Cry me a river (cry me, cry me)
You were my earth
But you didn't know all the ways I loved you, no
So you took a chance
And made other plans
But I bet you didn't think that they would come crashing down, no
You don't have to say, what you did
I already know, I found out from him
Now there's just no chance
For you and me
There'll never be
And don't it make you sad about it?
You told me you love me
Why did you leave me all alone?
Now you tell me you need me
When you call me on the phone
Girl, I refuse
You must have me confused with some other guy
The bridges were burned
Now it's your turn, to cry
Cry me a river
Cry me a river
Cry me a river
Cry me a river (yeah, yeah)
You know that they say that some things are better left unsaid
And it wasn't like you only talked to him and you know it
Don't act like you don't know it
And all of these things people told me
Keep messin' with my head (messin' with my head)
Should've picked honesty
Then you may not have blown it (yeah)
You don't have to say (don't have to say)
What you did (what you did)
I already know (I already know)
I found out from him (uh)
Now there's just no chance (no chance)
For you and me (you and me)
There'll never be
Don't it make you sad about it?
You told me you love me
Why did you leave me all alone (all alone)
Now you tell me you need me
When you call me on the phone (when you call me on the phone)
Girl, I refuse
You must have me confused with some other guy (I'm not like them baby)
The bridges were burned
Now it's your turn (it's your turn) to cry
So cry me a river (go on and just)
Cry me a river (go on and just)
Cry me a river (baby, go on and just)
Cry me a river (yeah, yeah)
Oh (oh!)
The damage is done, so I guess I be leaving
Oh (oh!)
The damage is done, so I guess I be leaving
Oh (oh!)
The damage is done, so I guess I be leaving
Oh (oh!)
The damage is done, so I guess I be, leaving
You don't have to say (you don't have to say)
What you did (what you did)
I already know (I already know)
I found out from him (uh)
Now there's just no chance (no chance)
For you and me (you and me)
There'll never be
Don't it make you sad about it?
Cry me a river (go on and just)
Cry me a river (baby, go on and just)
Cry me a river (you can go on and just)
Cry me a river (yeah, yeah)
Cry me a river (baby, go on and just)
Cry me a river (go on and just)
Cry me a river (come on baby, cry)
Cry me a river (I don't wanna cry no more, yeah yeah)
Cry me a river
Cry me a river, oh
Cry me a river, oh
Cry me a river, oh
Cry me a river (cry me, cry me) oh
Cry me a river (cry me, cry me) oh
Cry me a river (cry me, cry me) oh
Cry me a river (cry me, cry me) oh
Cry me a river (cry me, cry me) oh
Cry me a river (cry me, cry me) oh
Cry me a river (cry me, cry me)
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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,
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 was randomly listening to songs today and this one came on. The lyrics hit me like a ton of bricks and I can completely relate to them. My ex didn't really understand how much I loved him despite all the issues he had. He will never know. I was there for him when his life was in a downward spiral and lifted his spirits when he was struggling to stay happy. Once he was situated in his life, he ditched me. I was going through hell in my life and needed him to be there for me like I had been there for him. He literally stopped talking to me from one day to the next. I am ashamed to say that I called him and begged him to call me so that I could get closure. I understood that we were over but I needed to hear it from him. I stayed up all night since he promised he would call. The call never came. For the first time I knew what it was like to be used and have my heart punched out of my chest. I fell apart and suffered from severe insomnia for a week due to my personal struggles at the time and this was made worse by him. To this day, I still have issues with my sleeping habits. He called me a few months after this happened, once I had been nursed by friends and family, and said that he needed me and still loved me. It was too late though. He had no idea how much he had hurt me and how selfish he was. He was not there for me when I was laying in bed at night, exhausted, and couldn't get a wink of sleep. For me, This song perfectly fits that situation. Now it is his turn to struggle and I know I will be okay.
omg joinnn da friggin club exactlyyyyyyyyy i was left with no answers nothing couldnt sleep paranoid everything i'll never 4get and up 2 today its been two months he aint man enough to face me......all da best sis karma has its way!<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />
@Isaura I am so sorry you went through that. It's already Karma that he didn't recognize what a caring person he had in his life and took it for granted. I am happy to know you are better, it is not easy.