"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.
And with a wink and a smile
You toss your instructions on
How to catch a train while it's moving
You always were the one
That kept us all guessing
How you could survive the fall you had
From medicine men to my D.J. friends
They all have said, "He's got to watch his back"
They're trapping angels by the Potomac
But it's not how you think, you'd be surprised
They liberate your dreamscape
'Til you can't remember to recall
Where your wings have gone
Tell me where they've gone
From Jordan to Chicago
Another child is born
Trusting that we'll get it right this time
I should've worn my glasses
You said just to trust
Then you chose to sign the dotted line
From modern Magdalenes to my D.J. friends
They all have said, "He's got to watch his back"
They're trapping angels by the Potomac
But it's not how you think, you'd be surprised
They liberate your dreamscape
Till you can't remember to recall
Where your wings have gone
Before I close my eyes at night
I can still see you smiling
Before the truth was buried alive
Did we prize it?
Before you change the world
Maybe, boy, you should change your girl
They're trapping angels by the Potomac
They're trapping angels, Lord, I know this
They're trapping angels by the Potomac
But we're getting closer now
I said we're getting closer
To where they've gone
Tell me where they've gone
Tell me where they've gone
Now it won't be long
You toss your instructions on
How to catch a train while it's moving
You always were the one
That kept us all guessing
How you could survive the fall you had
From medicine men to my D.J. friends
They all have said, "He's got to watch his back"
They're trapping angels by the Potomac
But it's not how you think, you'd be surprised
They liberate your dreamscape
'Til you can't remember to recall
Where your wings have gone
Tell me where they've gone
From Jordan to Chicago
Another child is born
Trusting that we'll get it right this time
I should've worn my glasses
You said just to trust
Then you chose to sign the dotted line
From modern Magdalenes to my D.J. friends
They all have said, "He's got to watch his back"
They're trapping angels by the Potomac
But it's not how you think, you'd be surprised
They liberate your dreamscape
Till you can't remember to recall
Where your wings have gone
Before I close my eyes at night
I can still see you smiling
Before the truth was buried alive
Did we prize it?
Before you change the world
Maybe, boy, you should change your girl
They're trapping angels by the Potomac
They're trapping angels, Lord, I know this
They're trapping angels by the Potomac
But we're getting closer now
I said we're getting closer
To where they've gone
Tell me where they've gone
Tell me where they've gone
Now it won't be long
Lyrics submitted by merchantpierce, edited by bayofangels
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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Hayalperest
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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.
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”
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.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
It's the only political song that I know of Tori releasing. Others have political undertones, but this one is so blatant. It's about Bush sending off the troops to Iraq.
"That's what 'Angels' is about. The people that went along with this were not horrible, at least most of them weren't - they were just frozen, they'd forgotten that they had the power to stand up. There were protests but you didn't see how many people were out there. They made sure that was kept from the public." [Uncut (UK) - January 2004]
you know...i think anti sheep is reading only what he wants to see in this to be honest. i think it's about society, sure, without a doubt....but not about troops! it's about us, all of us, the way that we are tied to this world and how it breaks us progressively..how it tears away our innocence and wings so that we can't even remember the way we looked at things when they were soo beautiful... plus, the potomac is a river...so somehow i think it's about someone she knew who was careless and free...and got tied down to something near that river....god, maybe
Except that the Potomac is the river running through Washington DC, the US capital and political centre. Hardly a coincidence that she chose this river to mention. If you look at the CD booklet, the words "Political Science: The Political Process" are written alongside the lyrics.
I think she's talking about ore than troops...everyone in the US who went along with it. People were VERY pro-war to begin with. It couldn't have happened without public support. And also, all the politicians...I'm sure ole Hilary regrets her decision to get trapped,since it cost her a nomination... and many others.
Does anyone know why does she pronounce the word 'wings' like if she was saying "wines"? or the lyrics are misspelled. Thanks.