"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.
You’re walking up with your eyes on me
It’s looking good but I just don’t know
I need a girl who can keep her head
All Night Long
You didn’t come just to see the show
I guess you know what you wanna see
The way you smile lets me know I can’t go wrong
(Bridge)
I wanna touch you
I wanna feel you
I wanna make you mine
(Chorus)
I wanna love you (all night long)
I wanna be with you (all night long)
I wanna love you (all night long)
I wanna be with you (all night long)
I saw you standing down by the stage
Your Black stockings and your see through dress
Your mouth is open but I don’t wanna hear ya
Say good night
You’re sorta young
But you’re over age
I don’t care cause I like your style
Don’t know about your brain
But you look alright
(Bridge)
(Chorus)
Your mind is dirty
But your hands are clean
You show the class
But youre left alone
I know I can’t stand another night
(on my own)
Hey girl would you like some wine
What’s your name?
Are you by yourself?
Are you the one?
But you say can I take you home
(Bridge)
(Chorus x2)
It’s looking good but I just don’t know
I need a girl who can keep her head
All Night Long
You didn’t come just to see the show
I guess you know what you wanna see
The way you smile lets me know I can’t go wrong
(Bridge)
I wanna touch you
I wanna feel you
I wanna make you mine
(Chorus)
I wanna love you (all night long)
I wanna be with you (all night long)
I wanna love you (all night long)
I wanna be with you (all night long)
I saw you standing down by the stage
Your Black stockings and your see through dress
Your mouth is open but I don’t wanna hear ya
Say good night
You’re sorta young
But you’re over age
I don’t care cause I like your style
Don’t know about your brain
But you look alright
(Bridge)
(Chorus)
Your mind is dirty
But your hands are clean
You show the class
But youre left alone
I know I can’t stand another night
(on my own)
Hey girl would you like some wine
What’s your name?
Are you by yourself?
Are you the one?
But you say can I take you home
(Bridge)
(Chorus x2)
Lyrics submitted by IRShannon
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Holiday
Bee Gees
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@[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.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
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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
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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.
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blah this singer was bad but richie is still good