"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.
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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/
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
"You're dumb." "I know you are, but what am I?"
Title's a cliche school-kid's response to an insult in America. Title was probably chosen at random for an instrumental- like with jazz tracks.
yeah, i always think of pee wee, hehe. to be honest, mogwai seem to just enjoy playing around with song titles because they can- their aren't any lyrics to contradict it. what a lovely song, makes me feel as though im floating in space
When I listen to this track the sentence "but what am I?" just gets stuck inside my head. The concept of the song represents a complete new dimension when the atmosphere of the track is considered. By listening to the melody you can see that it has nothing to do with childish matters, it seems much more deeper. It represents to me the process of discovering yourself, even the perception of existence, perhaps...
its confusing, it has a title, but what does it mean in relation to the song? being an instrumental, i cant really picture an image to fit the title that fits the music
apart from child responses, I think the title fits the tracks atmosphere. "You are, but what's with me?"
never thought of it that way. I can see wut vibgyor is sayin and the melody just brings out a feeling in ur body like its sad lonely confused and..idk. I cant really put a word on it.
I agree with drmn. When I saw the title, I have to admit I thought of elementary school comebacks, but after I listened to the song I thought about it, and it made sense. I know you are - I know you exist; I know you're there; I know you're a person
But what am I?
Quite ingenious, actually.
@demimondaine they are talking about happiness. the song title, when you consider the album name, is supposed to say "I know you are happy, but what am I?" It is a sad song.
Not only did that bring a new meaning to the song for me, but that brought a whole new meaning to that phrase for me. Demimondaine and and Drmn, thanks millions. I completely agree with you two.
Thank you Demimondaine, the whole idea that i know you ARE, as a sentient being but then questioning your own validity, had completely escaped me. Brilliant.