"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.
Level your fretting.
I won't be forgetting
The flush of your face
When I lifted you level
To me and a wattle tree
Framed your body
In whispers welling with
The dope of a new Spring
You said "Kill me a dynasty
Or our love won't mean a thing..."
A bullet for a diamond ring
A favor promised
A promise delivered
And more to you
It's only a war I'll be back
To your shore before
You know it I'm gone,
Then I'll cover you body
And if you have to go
Please go lightly
Keep it to a foxtrot
Whether he's a fox or not
Keep it cold,
Keep all your heat for me
I'll be needing it
For when I'm cold you see
Let your children
Remind you of me
Whether by another or
By the ghost in me in you
There goes my baby
I would think of you
And a palmtree would
Cover your body
You... in love and war
We are bound by a law,
It goes to you and then
To yours to recover my body
She bound me up and hugged me
'O how the mother loves thee'
She covered my body
In a ragged flag and bloody
O not on your life.
I won't be forgetting
The flush of your face
When I lifted you level
To me and a wattle tree
Framed your body
In whispers welling with
The dope of a new Spring
You said "Kill me a dynasty
Or our love won't mean a thing..."
A bullet for a diamond ring
A favor promised
A promise delivered
And more to you
It's only a war I'll be back
To your shore before
You know it I'm gone,
Then I'll cover you body
And if you have to go
Please go lightly
Keep it to a foxtrot
Whether he's a fox or not
Keep it cold,
Keep all your heat for me
I'll be needing it
For when I'm cold you see
Let your children
Remind you of me
Whether by another or
By the ghost in me in you
There goes my baby
I would think of you
And a palmtree would
Cover your body
You... in love and war
We are bound by a law,
It goes to you and then
To yours to recover my body
She bound me up and hugged me
'O how the mother loves thee'
She covered my body
In a ragged flag and bloody
O not on your life.
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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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.
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.
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.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Oh how this beautiful song just oozes pain and longing but in such a humble way! Best Augie March song.