"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.
I walk the streets of Japan till I get lost
'Cause it doesn't remind me of anything
With a graveyard tan, carrying a cross
Yeah, it doesn't remind me of anything
I like studying faces in the parking lot
'Cause it doesn't remind me of anything
I like driving backwards in the fog
'Cause it doesn't remind me of anything
The things that I've loved, things that I've lost
Things I've held sacred that I've dropped
I won't lie no more, you can bet
I don't want to learn what I'll need to forget
I like gypsy moths and radio talk
'Cause it doesn't remind me of anything
I like gospel music and canned applause
'Cause it doesn't remind me of anything
I like colorful clothing in the sun
'Cause it doesn't remind me of anything
I like hammering nails and speaking in tongues
'Cause it doesn't remind me of anything
The things that I've loved, things that I've lost
Things I've held sacred that I've dropped
I won't lie no more, you can bet
I don't want to learn what I'll need to forget
Bend and shape me
I love the way you are
Slow and sweetly
Like never before
Calm and sleeping
We won't stir up the past
So discreetly
We won't look back
The things that I've loved, things that I've lost
Things I've held sacred that I've dropped
I won't lie no more, you can bet
I don't want to learn what I'll need to forget
I like throwing my voice and breaking guitars
'Cause it doesn't remind me of anything
I like playing in the sand, what's mine is ours
'If it doesn't remind me of anything
'Cause it doesn't remind me of anything
With a graveyard tan, carrying a cross
Yeah, it doesn't remind me of anything
I like studying faces in the parking lot
'Cause it doesn't remind me of anything
I like driving backwards in the fog
'Cause it doesn't remind me of anything
The things that I've loved, things that I've lost
Things I've held sacred that I've dropped
I won't lie no more, you can bet
I don't want to learn what I'll need to forget
I like gypsy moths and radio talk
'Cause it doesn't remind me of anything
I like gospel music and canned applause
'Cause it doesn't remind me of anything
I like colorful clothing in the sun
'Cause it doesn't remind me of anything
I like hammering nails and speaking in tongues
'Cause it doesn't remind me of anything
The things that I've loved, things that I've lost
Things I've held sacred that I've dropped
I won't lie no more, you can bet
I don't want to learn what I'll need to forget
Bend and shape me
I love the way you are
Slow and sweetly
Like never before
Calm and sleeping
We won't stir up the past
So discreetly
We won't look back
The things that I've loved, things that I've lost
Things I've held sacred that I've dropped
I won't lie no more, you can bet
I don't want to learn what I'll need to forget
I like throwing my voice and breaking guitars
'Cause it doesn't remind me of anything
I like playing in the sand, what's mine is ours
'If it doesn't remind me of anything
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Yeah, its about the war...just like how Cochise is about playing in front of a bunch of fireworks.