"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.
It was not two days. a night and a day
I look back at the man I was before
A sorry stranger banged up on the shore
Your warm arms tore the walls down.
The devil with the damned things anyway
They were of no use, just a frame
From there he would watch, watch only.
Not taking a part in this world.
I'd sold my mule and bale of hay
These shoes left, tattered and worn
They'd carry me to heaven or they'd walk straight to a hole
I didn't see you coming 'til I heard you there.
In one single breath, in two or three words
The old man crossed the bridge and down the side
And I was left standing holding my sword
Dropped it in the ground, I didn't need it anymore.
A soul to sink into, washing mine clean
I rolled like a hog on holiday
Laughing boy laugh, smiling boy smile
This was no usual day.
My hunch back was straight backed my eyes were on fire
Then I finally remembered what living used to be like.
Playing in the ocean popping rhythms with your hands
Turned the key in the lock and the door swung wide.
And what did we find inside?
A man with a reinvented view.
No shirt no pants, the hold hang bird is skinned
Floating in a cooking pot.
You stabbed me with honesty, passion and peace
And a will to move on with legs of steel
Arms like popeye, giddy like olive
Dancing like sweet pea with a wide open grin
Now I begin retelling the story
Of the lost boy in chains saved by a girl.
I look back at the man I was before
A sorry stranger banged up on the shore
Your warm arms tore the walls down.
The devil with the damned things anyway
They were of no use, just a frame
From there he would watch, watch only.
Not taking a part in this world.
I'd sold my mule and bale of hay
These shoes left, tattered and worn
They'd carry me to heaven or they'd walk straight to a hole
I didn't see you coming 'til I heard you there.
In one single breath, in two or three words
The old man crossed the bridge and down the side
And I was left standing holding my sword
Dropped it in the ground, I didn't need it anymore.
A soul to sink into, washing mine clean
I rolled like a hog on holiday
Laughing boy laugh, smiling boy smile
This was no usual day.
My hunch back was straight backed my eyes were on fire
Then I finally remembered what living used to be like.
Playing in the ocean popping rhythms with your hands
Turned the key in the lock and the door swung wide.
And what did we find inside?
A man with a reinvented view.
No shirt no pants, the hold hang bird is skinned
Floating in a cooking pot.
You stabbed me with honesty, passion and peace
And a will to move on with legs of steel
Arms like popeye, giddy like olive
Dancing like sweet pea with a wide open grin
Now I begin retelling the story
Of the lost boy in chains saved by a girl.
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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,
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.
He said at a live show that this song is about the first time he fell in love, and it was in a place called Jericho Park.