"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.
He is the icon of our times, solution to our modern crimes. His trigger finger clicks remotes, as carbohydrates slowly bloat.
Not fragile, or brittle. He's seeking an acquittal.
No scruples, no meekness, he has but one great weakness.
All the world must have a price, save yourself from sacrifice, everything will end all right. American Kryptonite.
His mighty hands will hardly fail, his intellect is barely frail, he moves his lips in perfect sync, demanding an espresso drink.
With passion, he searches, he'll make another purchase.
Familiar, you know him, he's saying that you owe him.
It was like the Manifest Destiny all over again, except, instead of taking and consuming everything in their paths for God, they did so with the same fervor and sense of entitlement for their new god... themselves.
Buy, take, break, throw it away.
Not fragile, or brittle. He's seeking an acquittal.
No scruples, no meekness, he has but one great weakness.
All the world must have a price, save yourself from sacrifice, everything will end all right. American Kryptonite.
His mighty hands will hardly fail, his intellect is barely frail, he moves his lips in perfect sync, demanding an espresso drink.
With passion, he searches, he'll make another purchase.
Familiar, you know him, he's saying that you owe him.
It was like the Manifest Destiny all over again, except, instead of taking and consuming everything in their paths for God, they did so with the same fervor and sense of entitlement for their new god... themselves.
Buy, take, break, throw it away.
Lyrics submitted by Jayknight
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More Featured Meanings
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.
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/
This song is about greed... 100% of the way. Its about how we've become not only powerful as a nation, but greedy. How demanding we are about everything, and how much we take that same everything for granted.
I love the line about there new God....themselves.. How true, people today act so selfishly
who does the song refer to in the word 'he' through out the song? Is it American Kryptonite? And if so what is American Kryptonite, or what does it mean? this is the song I have had so much trouble understanding.
"he just means us in general.
I suppose the American Kryptonite is paper money. It's green and it brings us Americans to our knees.
American Kryptonite isn't money, and every time the you hear the words: he, his, they, and their, it's talking about America itself.
The American Kryptonite is as it says in the song "he has but one great weakness" (remember 'he' is America). And that weakness is "All the world must have a price, save yourself from sacirfice." So what that is saying is that America's weakness is that America has to be able to by its salvation.
I agree that this is a picture of American society sadly, but I also think that this song is a portrait of each of our own lives if we truly look at ourselves introspectively. We are the Americans who make up America after all (unless of course you are from a differnt country)
I see the "He" as referring to the American consumer, who is being portrayed (ironically) as a superhero, and sacrifice is his own great weakness, his kryptonite.
I agree with all of that, but I also think that Kryptonite could refer to Superman(wasn't that his only weakness?) if so....then, America's weakness is kryptonite or money or an assortment of things. ALso, the parts of carbohydrates and lattes, I think refer to the obesity problem in our country.
i love reese's cynical views about america, and this song is just one of his many that touch the subject. he has some really great insights about the pitfalls of our society.