"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 gave me away, I could have knocked off the evening
But I lonelily landed my waltz in her hands
In a way, I felt you were leaving me
I was sure I wouldn't find you at home
And you let me down, you could have knocked off the evening
But you lonelily let him push under your bone
You let me down, it's no use deceiving
Neither of us wanna be alone
And you're coming home
You're coming home
And you're coming home
You're coming home
I gave me away, I could have knocked off the evening
But I was lonelily looking for someone to hold
In a way, I lost all I believed in
And I never found myself so low
And you let me down, you could've called if you'd needed
But you lonelily got yourself locked in instead
And you let me down, it's one thing being cheated
But you took him all the way through your bed
And now you're coming home
And I'm trying to forgive, you're coming home
And I'm trying to forget, you're coming home
And I'm trying to move on, you're coming home
And you haven't called yet, you're coming home
And I'm trying to forgive, you're coming home
I'm just trying to forget, you're coming home
I'm trying to move on, you're coming home
But you haven't called, you're coming home
You're coming home, you're coming home
You're coming home
I gave me away, I could have knocked off the evening
But I lonelily loomed her into my bone
You let me down, there's no use deceiving
Neither of us wanna be alone
But I lonelily landed my waltz in her hands
In a way, I felt you were leaving me
I was sure I wouldn't find you at home
And you let me down, you could have knocked off the evening
But you lonelily let him push under your bone
You let me down, it's no use deceiving
Neither of us wanna be alone
And you're coming home
You're coming home
And you're coming home
You're coming home
I gave me away, I could have knocked off the evening
But I was lonelily looking for someone to hold
In a way, I lost all I believed in
And I never found myself so low
And you let me down, you could've called if you'd needed
But you lonelily got yourself locked in instead
And you let me down, it's one thing being cheated
But you took him all the way through your bed
And now you're coming home
And I'm trying to forgive, you're coming home
And I'm trying to forget, you're coming home
And I'm trying to move on, you're coming home
And you haven't called yet, you're coming home
And I'm trying to forgive, you're coming home
I'm just trying to forget, you're coming home
I'm trying to move on, you're coming home
But you haven't called, you're coming home
You're coming home, you're coming home
You're coming home
I gave me away, I could have knocked off the evening
But I lonelily loomed her into my bone
You let me down, there's no use deceiving
Neither of us wanna be alone
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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.
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.
She cheated on him, but he cheated on her. It's like what its delicate said. It's about trying to forgive each other. He wants to forgive and forget what they both did. It's not just what she did, it's about the fact that he was unfaithful too. In the chorus, he addresses what she did in the way he keeps repeating "You're coming home, and I'm trying to forget," but he also addresses what he did when he says "and you haven't called yet." He's worried that neither one will be able to forgive the other.
Despite being about infidelity, I don't think this is a sad song. It's not about wallowing in the hurt and regret, it's about trying to push past the pain and regret, and trying to remember how much they love each other.