"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.
It's your last chance to change things. I know you've been getting by, but I saw you at the party without a drink in hand or a word in mouth.
Nothin' to do or talk about. Poor skinny fat kid without any interest in making friends. It's not easy being, but i know, it's not easy being...
Uh oh go.
Oh no go on.
Oh go on no.
Go on.
Nothin' to do or talk about. Poor skinny fat kid without any interest in making friends. It's not easy being, but i know, it's not easy being...
Uh oh go.
Oh no go on.
Oh go on no.
Go on.
Lyrics submitted by zevans
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
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/
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
i think he says "it's not easy being, i-i know"
i'm very unsure of this as i type this comment.
you might be right, i think it could be "it's not easy being, but i know"
either way i love this song.
ive been listening to it a lot, its definitely "Its not easy being - " Then he goes into the "I-I know." But I think its more an implied "Its not easy being (friends)". He tends to sing about a particular break up with a girl. I think hes friends with her now, and he still wants to be back together with her. like, "its your last chance to change things" is sort of him telling either himself or her that this is it, its his last chance to get back together with her.
so i think he implies there that its not easy being friends with her.
It sounds like trying to gain some intamacy during a moment of potential catharsis/realised catharsis (they know they can't be together/they've split and are unhappy; he's teetering on the edge of convincing her not to go/come back)... but this personal moment between the two of them is taking place in the melee, as you zoom out, towards the end of the song, and see the rest of the scene, the peoples voices drowning out his call...
I think this is about himself, he's looking back to how he was when he was younger. How socially awkward he was. It's scary how much I relate to this, the line "poor skinny fat kid, without any interest in making friends" describes me, since I used to be chubby and nearly friendless, now I'm just one of those.