"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.
Sharpay:
I believe in dreamin'
Shootin' for the stars
Ryan:
Baby to be number one
You've got to raise the bar
Sharpay:
Kickin' and a scratchin'
Grindin' out my best
Ryan:
Anything it takes
To climb the ladder of success
Both:
Work our tails off every day
Gotta bump the competition
Blow them all away
Sharpay:
Yeah we're gonna
Both:
Bop, bop, bop
Bop to the top
Ryan:
Slip and slide and ride that rhythm
Both:
Jump and hop hop ‘til we drop
Sharpay:
And start again
Zip zap zop
Pop like a mop
Ryan:
Scoot around the corner
Both:
Move it to the groove
‘Til the music stops
Do the bop bop, bop to the top
Don't ever stop
Bop to the top
Gimmie, gimmie
Shimmy shimmy
Shake some booty and turn around
Flash a smile in their direction
Sharpay:
Show some muscle
Ryan:
Do the hustle
Both:
Yeah we're gonna bop, bop, bop
Bop to the top
Ryan:
Wipe away your inhibitions
Both:
Stump, stump, stump do the rump
Sharpay:
And strut your stuff
Both:
Bop, bop, bop
Straight to the top
Going for the glory
We'll keep stepping up
And we just won't stop
‘Til we reach the top
Bop to the top
I believe in dreamin'
Shootin' for the stars
Ryan:
Baby to be number one
You've got to raise the bar
Sharpay:
Kickin' and a scratchin'
Grindin' out my best
Ryan:
Anything it takes
To climb the ladder of success
Both:
Work our tails off every day
Gotta bump the competition
Blow them all away
Sharpay:
Yeah we're gonna
Both:
Bop, bop, bop
Bop to the top
Ryan:
Slip and slide and ride that rhythm
Both:
Jump and hop hop ‘til we drop
Sharpay:
And start again
Zip zap zop
Pop like a mop
Ryan:
Scoot around the corner
Both:
Move it to the groove
‘Til the music stops
Do the bop bop, bop to the top
Don't ever stop
Bop to the top
Gimmie, gimmie
Shimmy shimmy
Shake some booty and turn around
Flash a smile in their direction
Sharpay:
Show some muscle
Ryan:
Do the hustle
Both:
Yeah we're gonna bop, bop, bop
Bop to the top
Ryan:
Wipe away your inhibitions
Both:
Stump, stump, stump do the rump
Sharpay:
And strut your stuff
Both:
Bop, bop, bop
Straight to the top
Going for the glory
We'll keep stepping up
And we just won't stop
‘Til we reach the top
Bop to the top
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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”
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/
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.
This song is so great!My sister and i love it so much! High School Musical rocks!