"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.
If you want to be free then I want you to be
You're not mine anymore, you're public property
You're a slave to these people who don't even know you
You think they adore you, they do
Then they throw you away
Give the people what they want
You've got to give the people what they want
Got to give the people what they want
Rock star
You can shine all alone but you still need your friends
To remind you you're nothing unless you're plugged in
Because baby the truth is you need their approval
They tell you you're cool hey but look how you pay for it
Give the people what they want
You've got to give the people what they want
Got to give the people what they want
Rock star x 3
Oh, is that what you are?
There must be thousands of you
So your time is in crumbs now
Your image is dumbed down
You're full of it now
What about when it runs out?
'Cos maybe you'll come back
And maybe I'll be here
You're already gone so just go
Cos they're waiting for you
Yeah, you
You've got to give the people what they want
Got to give the people what they want
Oh, is that what you are?
You're not mine anymore, you're public property
You're a slave to these people who don't even know you
You think they adore you, they do
Then they throw you away
Give the people what they want
You've got to give the people what they want
Got to give the people what they want
Rock star
You can shine all alone but you still need your friends
To remind you you're nothing unless you're plugged in
Because baby the truth is you need their approval
They tell you you're cool hey but look how you pay for it
Give the people what they want
You've got to give the people what they want
Got to give the people what they want
Rock star x 3
Oh, is that what you are?
There must be thousands of you
So your time is in crumbs now
Your image is dumbed down
You're full of it now
What about when it runs out?
'Cos maybe you'll come back
And maybe I'll be here
You're already gone so just go
Cos they're waiting for you
Yeah, you
You've got to give the people what they want
Got to give the people what they want
Oh, is that what you are?
Lyrics submitted by gyroscope
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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/
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
i think this song is about loving someone who has a sort of sudden image change and takes on a kind of "rock star" persona, trying to impress everyone. but in the end, the same people this person is trying to please reject her, and she is burnt out.