"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.
Ask me how I'm doing care to know the answer?
soon I'll be the one you know is winning stand and face the ones you spin
the tales of knowing "heard the sounds you were creating living showing
while the others weren't listening..."
now they wait to get their fill of all the reasons why you made it riding backs
of those who gave you all their time unanswered messages
"we'll get together when you play the show and fill the stands and meet the customer demand
for all things pretty we can move to any band that sets the mood..."
And I can
And I will
Hold me down
Keep me still
Take your reasons
Lies you sell
'Cause I know you
All too well...
The party people gather quickly
drinks in hand to hear the thing their friends will talk about
and wish away the meaning and the inspiration to the background music
search the crowd for faces focused on the you
of all the headlines focused always on the by-lines live the life rockstar persona
People magazine will show us all the greatest angles of a face so recognizable
perfect grace accept the nomination "entertainer of the year"
you beat out everyone and everything even sold us with your tears...
And I can
And I will
Hold me down
Keep me still
Take your reasons
Lies you sell
'Cause I know you
All too well...
A lasting year of dedication to the cause of all the patience
if I save the time I'm willing to give up the things I build
and keep away from those who shop the very things
I cannot stop the way you live a life self-focused scan the pages get the most
you can and ask me how I'm doing care to know the answer?
soon I'll be the one you know is winning stand and face the ones you lose...
And I can
And I will
Hold me down
Keep me still
Take your reasons
Lies you sell
'Cause I know you
All too well
'Cause I know you
All too well...
soon I'll be the one you know is winning stand and face the ones you spin
the tales of knowing "heard the sounds you were creating living showing
while the others weren't listening..."
now they wait to get their fill of all the reasons why you made it riding backs
of those who gave you all their time unanswered messages
"we'll get together when you play the show and fill the stands and meet the customer demand
for all things pretty we can move to any band that sets the mood..."
And I can
And I will
Hold me down
Keep me still
Take your reasons
Lies you sell
'Cause I know you
All too well...
The party people gather quickly
drinks in hand to hear the thing their friends will talk about
and wish away the meaning and the inspiration to the background music
search the crowd for faces focused on the you
of all the headlines focused always on the by-lines live the life rockstar persona
People magazine will show us all the greatest angles of a face so recognizable
perfect grace accept the nomination "entertainer of the year"
you beat out everyone and everything even sold us with your tears...
And I can
And I will
Hold me down
Keep me still
Take your reasons
Lies you sell
'Cause I know you
All too well...
A lasting year of dedication to the cause of all the patience
if I save the time I'm willing to give up the things I build
and keep away from those who shop the very things
I cannot stop the way you live a life self-focused scan the pages get the most
you can and ask me how I'm doing care to know the answer?
soon I'll be the one you know is winning stand and face the ones you lose...
And I can
And I will
Hold me down
Keep me still
Take your reasons
Lies you sell
'Cause I know you
All too well
'Cause I know you
All too well...
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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.
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.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.