"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.
Take me home
You, you hit with me a break
And now you're back for more
Your song's the same
Leave me with all the blame
I don't have time for another game
I don't wanna dance
So don't you ask me, babe
I don't wanna dance
You blew your chance
To rock my night away
I want some fun
Boy you're so not the one
I don't wanna dance
So let it go
You'll never take me home
Take me home
Take me home
Talk to me without a sound
'Cause you were such a tool
Who's sorry now?
You, you're shaking on the floor
Watch me walking out the door
I don't wanna dance
So don't you ask me, babe
I don't wanna dance
You blew your chance
To rock my night away
I want some fun
Boy you're so not the one
I don't wanna dance
So let it go
You'll never take me home
Take me home
Take me home
Don't tell the DJ to hit rewind
Tonight, there's no you and me
Don't play that record
Don't waste your time
You, you threw it all away
I don't wanna dance
So don't you ask me, babe
I don't wanna dance
You blew your chance
To rock my night away
I want some fun
Boy you're so not the one
I don't wanna dance
So let it go
You'll never take me home
Take me home
Take me home
Take me home
Take me home
You, you hit with me a break
And now you're back for more
Your song's the same
Leave me with all the blame
I don't have time for another game
I don't wanna dance
So don't you ask me, babe
I don't wanna dance
You blew your chance
To rock my night away
I want some fun
Boy you're so not the one
I don't wanna dance
So let it go
You'll never take me home
Take me home
Take me home
Talk to me without a sound
'Cause you were such a tool
Who's sorry now?
You, you're shaking on the floor
Watch me walking out the door
I don't wanna dance
So don't you ask me, babe
I don't wanna dance
You blew your chance
To rock my night away
I want some fun
Boy you're so not the one
I don't wanna dance
So let it go
You'll never take me home
Take me home
Take me home
Don't tell the DJ to hit rewind
Tonight, there's no you and me
Don't play that record
Don't waste your time
You, you threw it all away
I don't wanna dance
So don't you ask me, babe
I don't wanna dance
You blew your chance
To rock my night away
I want some fun
Boy you're so not the one
I don't wanna dance
So let it go
You'll never take me home
Take me home
Take me home
Take me home
Take me home
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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,
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.