"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.
A lot of men say, "Life is precious",
and a lot of men savor every moment
and a lot of men say, "Get out while you can".
A lot of men say, "Life is pointless",
and a lot of men say that love is worthless
and a lot of men say, "Money makes the man"
Money makes the man?
That's where I come in...
(Chorus)
Licensed tragedy, a live anomaly
a love so free of life...
Lord, I long to be far from reality
when you are sacrificed...
(Chorus)
Focus your life, embrace the feelings haunting you
Ghosts in the light, swimming through your skull
A lot of men say, "Your spirit saves you",
and a lot of men say that faith enslaves you
and a lot of men sit, indifferent either way
A lot of men turn their hearts to ashes
as the suck on the world before it passes
and a lot of men say, "You'll waste your life away"
Waste your life away?
What useless poetry.
and a lot of men savor every moment
and a lot of men say, "Get out while you can".
A lot of men say, "Life is pointless",
and a lot of men say that love is worthless
and a lot of men say, "Money makes the man"
Money makes the man?
That's where I come in...
(Chorus)
Licensed tragedy, a live anomaly
a love so free of life...
Lord, I long to be far from reality
when you are sacrificed...
(Chorus)
Focus your life, embrace the feelings haunting you
Ghosts in the light, swimming through your skull
A lot of men say, "Your spirit saves you",
and a lot of men say that faith enslaves you
and a lot of men sit, indifferent either way
A lot of men turn their hearts to ashes
as the suck on the world before it passes
and a lot of men say, "You'll waste your life away"
Waste your life away?
What useless poetry.
Lyrics submitted by nextsuperhero
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Fast Car
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.
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,
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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.
A lot of men say, "Life is precious", and a lot of men savor every moment and a lot of men say, "Get out while you can".
A lot of men say, "Life is pointless", and a lot of men say "love is worthless" and a lot of men say, "Money makes the man" Money makes the man?
That's where I come in...
Licensed tragedy, a live anomaly a love so free of life... Lord, I long to be far from reality when you are sacrificed...
Focus your life, embrace the feelings haunting you Ghosts in the light, swimming through your skull
Focus your life, I can't hear you, Focus your life, A fly drowned in a glass of wine
A lot of men say, "Your spirit saves you", and a lot of men say it will enslave you and a lot of men sit, indifferent either way
A lot of men turn their hearts to ashes as the suck the world dry to please their masters and a lot of men say, "You'll waste your life away"
Waste your life away?
it's useless poetry.
Licensed tragedy, a live anomaly a love so free of life... Lord, I long to be far from reality when you are sacrificed...
A lot of men say, "Life is precious", and a lot of men savor every moment and a lot of men said, "Get out while you can".