"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 too late to call
Said the blue knight who keeps watch beside my wall
You said the sadness became small
You've grown immune and told yourself you wouldn't fall
Convincing me seems to me
So important when it shouldn't be
When you deceive you only free
The part that keeps you as a part of me
But now I'm shocked, and
My pride's been mocked, and
You're pushing needles through my skin
In dreams I've walked in where the gun is cocked, and
I see the chamber takes a spin
'Cause the pain is sinking in
And I'm rarely lost
But rather broke and crossed
Let me out, pull me in
Before my head caves in
My heart's been tossed
And now my pain's embossed
Pick me up, pull me down
Until I reach the ground
Until I reach the ground
It's too hot inside
As I reach out to my left
Turn on my fan and sigh
I try again to close my eyes
I'll be okay
I simply add to endless lies
Reminding me of what I've wasted
Hurts me more than being hated
'Cause now my soul's become shaded
And now my heart is coiled and braided
But now I'm shocked, and
My pride's been mocked, and
You're pushing needles through my skin
'Cause the pain is sinking in
And I'm rarely lost
But rather broke and crossed
Let me out, pull me in
Before my head caves in
My heart's been tossed
And now my pain's embossed
Pick me up, pull me down
Until I reach the ground
I hope to heal in time
I hope to clear my mind
I'll wash you down with time
'Till I heal and feel fine
But now I'm shocked, and
My pride's been mocked, and
You're pushing needles through my skin
In dreams I've walked in where the gun is cocked, and
I see the chamber takes a spin
'Cause the pain is sinking in
And I'm rarely lost
But rather broke and crossed
Let me out, pull me in
Before my head caves in
My heart's been tossed
And now my pain's embossed
Pick me up, pull me down
Until I reach the ground
Until I reach the ground
Until I reach the ground
Said the blue knight who keeps watch beside my wall
You said the sadness became small
You've grown immune and told yourself you wouldn't fall
Convincing me seems to me
So important when it shouldn't be
When you deceive you only free
The part that keeps you as a part of me
But now I'm shocked, and
My pride's been mocked, and
You're pushing needles through my skin
In dreams I've walked in where the gun is cocked, and
I see the chamber takes a spin
'Cause the pain is sinking in
And I'm rarely lost
But rather broke and crossed
Let me out, pull me in
Before my head caves in
My heart's been tossed
And now my pain's embossed
Pick me up, pull me down
Until I reach the ground
Until I reach the ground
It's too hot inside
As I reach out to my left
Turn on my fan and sigh
I try again to close my eyes
I'll be okay
I simply add to endless lies
Reminding me of what I've wasted
Hurts me more than being hated
'Cause now my soul's become shaded
And now my heart is coiled and braided
But now I'm shocked, and
My pride's been mocked, and
You're pushing needles through my skin
'Cause the pain is sinking in
And I'm rarely lost
But rather broke and crossed
Let me out, pull me in
Before my head caves in
My heart's been tossed
And now my pain's embossed
Pick me up, pull me down
Until I reach the ground
I hope to heal in time
I hope to clear my mind
I'll wash you down with time
'Till I heal and feel fine
But now I'm shocked, and
My pride's been mocked, and
You're pushing needles through my skin
In dreams I've walked in where the gun is cocked, and
I see the chamber takes a spin
'Cause the pain is sinking in
And I'm rarely lost
But rather broke and crossed
Let me out, pull me in
Before my head caves in
My heart's been tossed
And now my pain's embossed
Pick me up, pull me down
Until I reach the ground
Until I reach the ground
Until I reach the ground
Lyrics submitted by judaskissidismiss
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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,
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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/
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.