"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.
I know you're trying to get around me, baby
I know you've got me in your heart, baby
I know that you could love me
If you only had a guarantee
When I look at your face, it's so empty
I know I could fill you with love, baby
Your soul is dying for me
Can't deny our energy
And you're far, I'm near, you're there
I'm here, you're hurting for me
I can see it in your eyes
Some of the hardest things
Are easy to achieve with patience
I'll wait for you until the heavens fall
I'll wait for you until the end of the world
I'll wait for you until I no longer breathe
I know that it's not impossible
I'll wait for you until you finish your fight
I'll wait for you until the timing is right
I'll wait for you until you knock on my door
'Cause right now it's feeling just like a movie, yeah, yeah
Just like a movie, yeah, yeah
I know that this is hard for you
Want you to know that I'm feeling it too
It's taken some time but now I see everything
It's so clear to me
I can't give up your love without dying, baby
I'll wait until the sea is dry, baby
How do we know what love is
Until it is free?
And you're far, I'm near, you're there
I'm here, you're hurting for me
I can see it in your eyes
Some of the hardest things
Are easy to achieve with patience
I'll wait for you until the heavens fall
I'll wait for you until the end of the world
I'll wait for you until I no longer breathe
I know that it's not impossible
I'll wait for you until you finish your fight
I'll wait for you until the timing is right
I'll wait for you until you knock on my door
'Cause right now it's feeling just like a movie, yeah, yeah
Just like a movie, yeah, yeah
You don't gotta do anything that you can't do
You don't gotta do anything in a hurry
You don't gotta do anything that you can't do
I know you're there, you got me
You don't gotta do anything that you can't do
You don't gotta do anything in a hurry
You don't gotta do anything, so don't worry
I trust you, and I know you're there
Ah, just like a movie
Ah, just like a movie
Ah, just like a movie
Ah, just like a movie
I'll wait for you until the heavens fall
I'll wait for you until the end of the world
I'll wait for you until I no longer breathe
I know that it's not impossible
I'll wait for you until you finish your fight
I'll wait for you until the timing is right
I'll wait for you until you knock on my door
'Cause right now it's feeling just like a movie, yeah, yeah
Just like a movie, yeah, yeah
I know you've got me in your heart, baby
I know that you could love me
If you only had a guarantee
When I look at your face, it's so empty
I know I could fill you with love, baby
Your soul is dying for me
Can't deny our energy
And you're far, I'm near, you're there
I'm here, you're hurting for me
I can see it in your eyes
Some of the hardest things
Are easy to achieve with patience
I'll wait for you until the heavens fall
I'll wait for you until the end of the world
I'll wait for you until I no longer breathe
I know that it's not impossible
I'll wait for you until you finish your fight
I'll wait for you until the timing is right
I'll wait for you until you knock on my door
'Cause right now it's feeling just like a movie, yeah, yeah
Just like a movie, yeah, yeah
I know that this is hard for you
Want you to know that I'm feeling it too
It's taken some time but now I see everything
It's so clear to me
I can't give up your love without dying, baby
I'll wait until the sea is dry, baby
How do we know what love is
Until it is free?
And you're far, I'm near, you're there
I'm here, you're hurting for me
I can see it in your eyes
Some of the hardest things
Are easy to achieve with patience
I'll wait for you until the heavens fall
I'll wait for you until the end of the world
I'll wait for you until I no longer breathe
I know that it's not impossible
I'll wait for you until you finish your fight
I'll wait for you until the timing is right
I'll wait for you until you knock on my door
'Cause right now it's feeling just like a movie, yeah, yeah
Just like a movie, yeah, yeah
You don't gotta do anything that you can't do
You don't gotta do anything in a hurry
You don't gotta do anything that you can't do
I know you're there, you got me
You don't gotta do anything that you can't do
You don't gotta do anything in a hurry
You don't gotta do anything, so don't worry
I trust you, and I know you're there
Ah, just like a movie
Ah, just like a movie
Ah, just like a movie
Ah, just like a movie
I'll wait for you until the heavens fall
I'll wait for you until the end of the world
I'll wait for you until I no longer breathe
I know that it's not impossible
I'll wait for you until you finish your fight
I'll wait for you until the timing is right
I'll wait for you until you knock on my door
'Cause right now it's feeling just like a movie, yeah, yeah
Just like a movie, yeah, yeah
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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.
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.
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.
also like it a lot..but i think "say it right" is a bit cooler though!
peace