"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.
Yeah, yeah
I guess your momma never told you
That what goes around comes back around
I should've left it at, how ya doing?
I should've left it at I like your music too, and
I should've never called you back when you pursued me
I should've never given you my fucking two way
I should've never listened to your woeful stories
The ones I'm sure you told a thousand times before me
You should've never intimated we were lovers
When you know very well we never even touched each other
Who's gonna love you when it all falls down, and
Who's gonna love you when your bankroll runs out?
Who's gonna care when the novelty's over?
When the star of the show isn't you anymore?
Nobody cares when the tears of a clown fall down
I guess your momma never told you that what comes around comes back around
Nobody cares when the tears of a clown fall down
I guess your momma never told you that what comes around comes back around
I gotta break it to ya delicately, dummy
Taking my G5 twenty minutes wasn't nothing
But I guess you wouldn't know that's the way I roll
Consequently now your ego's fully overblown
You don't want the world to know that you're just a puppet show
And the little boy inside often sits at home alone
And cries, cries, cries, cries (Who's gonna love you when it all falls down, and)
Who's gonna love you when your bankroll runs out?
Who's gonna care when the novelty's over?
When the star of the show isn't you anymore
Your pain is so deep rooted (Nobody)
What will your life become?
Sure you hide it but you're lost and lonesome
Still just a frail shook one
(Tell me who's gonna love you?)
Who's gonna love you when it all falls down, and
(I'd like to know)
Who's gonna love you when your bankroll runs out?
Who's gonna care when the novelty's over?
When the star of the show isn't you anymore (Who'll still be there? Nobody, nobody, nobody!)
Nobody cares when the tears of a clown fall down (Nobody baby)
Oh he's in the school yeah
Nobody cares when the tears of a clown fall down
I guess your momma never told you (Yes, you better think twice)
That what goes around comes back around
Who's gonna love you when it all falls down and (Who's gonna care?)
Who's gonna love you when your bankroll runs out? (The jokes on you)
Who's gonna care when the novelty's over? (Who's making your move)
When the star of the show isn't you anymore
Nobody cares when the tears of a clown fall down (You can keep your little secret though)
I guess your momma never told you
That what goes around comes back around
Nobody cares when the tears of a clown fall down (You're no superhero)
I guess your momma never told you
That what goes around comes back around
I guess your momma never told you
That what goes around comes back around
I should've left it at, how ya doing?
I should've left it at I like your music too, and
I should've never called you back when you pursued me
I should've never given you my fucking two way
I should've never listened to your woeful stories
The ones I'm sure you told a thousand times before me
You should've never intimated we were lovers
When you know very well we never even touched each other
Who's gonna love you when it all falls down, and
Who's gonna love you when your bankroll runs out?
Who's gonna care when the novelty's over?
When the star of the show isn't you anymore?
Nobody cares when the tears of a clown fall down
I guess your momma never told you that what comes around comes back around
Nobody cares when the tears of a clown fall down
I guess your momma never told you that what comes around comes back around
I gotta break it to ya delicately, dummy
Taking my G5 twenty minutes wasn't nothing
But I guess you wouldn't know that's the way I roll
Consequently now your ego's fully overblown
You don't want the world to know that you're just a puppet show
And the little boy inside often sits at home alone
And cries, cries, cries, cries (Who's gonna love you when it all falls down, and)
Who's gonna love you when your bankroll runs out?
Who's gonna care when the novelty's over?
When the star of the show isn't you anymore
Your pain is so deep rooted (Nobody)
What will your life become?
Sure you hide it but you're lost and lonesome
Still just a frail shook one
(Tell me who's gonna love you?)
Who's gonna love you when it all falls down, and
(I'd like to know)
Who's gonna love you when your bankroll runs out?
Who's gonna care when the novelty's over?
When the star of the show isn't you anymore (Who'll still be there? Nobody, nobody, nobody!)
Nobody cares when the tears of a clown fall down (Nobody baby)
Oh he's in the school yeah
Nobody cares when the tears of a clown fall down
I guess your momma never told you (Yes, you better think twice)
That what goes around comes back around
Who's gonna love you when it all falls down and (Who's gonna care?)
Who's gonna love you when your bankroll runs out? (The jokes on you)
Who's gonna care when the novelty's over? (Who's making your move)
When the star of the show isn't you anymore
Nobody cares when the tears of a clown fall down (You can keep your little secret though)
I guess your momma never told you
That what goes around comes back around
Nobody cares when the tears of a clown fall down (You're no superhero)
I guess your momma never told you
That what goes around comes back around
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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.
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
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/
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
yeah your right this song is about eminem but eminem responded back in "spend some time" its on his encore album.