"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.
They all said it was bound to happen,
Was just a matter of time
Now I've come to my decision
And its one fo the painful kind
Oh it seems that you wanted a martyr
Just a regular girl wouldn't do
Now, baby, I can't hang upon a lover's cross for you
I really got to hand it to you
Boy you really tried
But for everytime that we spent laughing,
There were two times that I cried
Cause I never was much of a martyr before
And I ain't gonna start nothing new
Oh, baby, I can't hang upon a lover's cross for you
Tables are meant for turning
And people are bound to change
Bridges are meant for burning
When people in memories are't one and the same
Still I hope that you can find another
Who could take what I could not
She would have to be a super girl
Or maybe a Joan of Arc
Now, I never was much of a martyr before
And I ain't gonna start nothing new
Oh, baby, I can't hang upon a lover's cross for you
The Tables are meant for turning
And people are bound to change
Bridges are meant for burning
When people in memories are't one and the same
Still I hope that you can find another
Who could take what I could not
She would have to be a super girl
Or maybe a Joan of Arc
Now, I never was much of a martyr before
And I ain't gonna start nothing new
Oh, baby, I can't hang upon a lover's cross for
I won't hang upon a lover's cross
I can't hang upon a lover's cross for you
Was just a matter of time
Now I've come to my decision
And its one fo the painful kind
Oh it seems that you wanted a martyr
Just a regular girl wouldn't do
Now, baby, I can't hang upon a lover's cross for you
I really got to hand it to you
Boy you really tried
But for everytime that we spent laughing,
There were two times that I cried
Cause I never was much of a martyr before
And I ain't gonna start nothing new
Oh, baby, I can't hang upon a lover's cross for you
Tables are meant for turning
And people are bound to change
Bridges are meant for burning
When people in memories are't one and the same
Still I hope that you can find another
Who could take what I could not
She would have to be a super girl
Or maybe a Joan of Arc
Now, I never was much of a martyr before
And I ain't gonna start nothing new
Oh, baby, I can't hang upon a lover's cross for you
The Tables are meant for turning
And people are bound to change
Bridges are meant for burning
When people in memories are't one and the same
Still I hope that you can find another
Who could take what I could not
She would have to be a super girl
Or maybe a Joan of Arc
Now, I never was much of a martyr before
And I ain't gonna start nothing new
Oh, baby, I can't hang upon a lover's cross for
I won't hang upon a lover's cross
I can't hang upon a lover's cross for you
Lyrics submitted by Terri Lynn
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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”
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/
Melanie's cover of the Jim Croce song is stunning. Almost any time Melanie covers a song, she makes it her own. (See Dylan's "Don't Think Twice) "Lover's Cross" will break your heart.