"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.
Slide your feet, create the shock
Touch another, watch it pop
Live a little, live a lot
And show me everything you've got
Oh, cause it takes some time and just a little bit good
Reality won't hurt, well, longer than it should
Just talking about that it's there
Face the fact; don't act like you don't care
Cause you gotta stop and show it, just so I know you know it
Maybe just a little bit, oh come on admit it right now
Cause I know that it won't be over til it's gone
So let it be gone
And show me everything you've got
I know you're scared
But let your words destruct
You gotta take that step, and your heart, just let it pour out
Now I know it's hard to be something that you don't think you are
But it's hard for me to even try to understand why you are beating your own heart
Cause you gotta try, just try to be honest
And I'll be honest with all these things that say
Now listen clear, whether break you’re modest, I'm here
Don’t hold back, don't hesitate, don't disappear
(Don't disappear)
And show me everything you've got
I know you're scared
But let your words destruct
You gotta take that step, and your heart, just let it pour out
And show me everything you've got
I know you're scared
But it's time for you to start
You gotta take that step, and your heart, just let it make sound
So hey, just let it pour out
Don't let your past begin to let you down
Just sing it out, just let it make sound
And as heard, it will be healed and found
Cause it's normal that emotional past can spot emotional something
So show your face, no don't be afraid, no don't be afraid to show your face
After all these things I've learned about things I do and don't deserve
Can easily just shape my life
Shape away, I start to die
No, cause it's up to me
If I dwell much longer than I should
And I'll hold my tears for years thinkin' it's doing me good
So let's start right now, and just make a vow,
You’ll let your heart, sing it out
Touch another, watch it pop
Live a little, live a lot
And show me everything you've got
Oh, cause it takes some time and just a little bit good
Reality won't hurt, well, longer than it should
Just talking about that it's there
Face the fact; don't act like you don't care
Cause you gotta stop and show it, just so I know you know it
Maybe just a little bit, oh come on admit it right now
Cause I know that it won't be over til it's gone
So let it be gone
And show me everything you've got
I know you're scared
But let your words destruct
You gotta take that step, and your heart, just let it pour out
Now I know it's hard to be something that you don't think you are
But it's hard for me to even try to understand why you are beating your own heart
Cause you gotta try, just try to be honest
And I'll be honest with all these things that say
Now listen clear, whether break you’re modest, I'm here
Don’t hold back, don't hesitate, don't disappear
(Don't disappear)
And show me everything you've got
I know you're scared
But let your words destruct
You gotta take that step, and your heart, just let it pour out
And show me everything you've got
I know you're scared
But it's time for you to start
You gotta take that step, and your heart, just let it make sound
So hey, just let it pour out
Don't let your past begin to let you down
Just sing it out, just let it make sound
And as heard, it will be healed and found
Cause it's normal that emotional past can spot emotional something
So show your face, no don't be afraid, no don't be afraid to show your face
After all these things I've learned about things I do and don't deserve
Can easily just shape my life
Shape away, I start to die
No, cause it's up to me
If I dwell much longer than I should
And I'll hold my tears for years thinkin' it's doing me good
So let's start right now, and just make a vow,
You’ll let your heart, sing it out
Lyrics submitted by constant
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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/
This song is seriously awesome. Very inspirational.