"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 was sixteen with a mind of my own
You were seventeen
And you thought you was grown
I found a thrill when we went up a hill
And you use to feel me
My body would get chills
I picked you up in my eighty nine Chevy
I brought you candy and popcorn
At the movies
I had it made when I, got paid
And we, go roller skate
But every thing has changed, wait
Seems to be to me
Something wrong with this household
Seems to be to me
You're always trying to take control
Seems to be to me
Something wrong with the kissing
Seems to be to me
Something is missing
Seems to be to me
Something wrong with the making love
Seems to be to me
You forgot what love was
Seems to be to me
Something wrong kissing
Seems to be to me
Something is missing
We had fun that year that you turned twenty one
You were my world
'Cause you brought me my baby girl
She so fine and she's all mine
And I promised to love you
Until the end of time
That's ok cause I felt the same way
But you're running game
And that's when everything changed
The phone calls and your two ways
And your attitude
You wanted too many pimp tapes
After all of the things
That we been through
I'm still willing to take care of you
Girl we been together for so long
And I just want to know, what's going on?
Seems to be to me
Something wrong with this household
Seems to be to me
You're always trying to take control
Seems to be to me
Something wrong with the kissing
Seems to be to me
You forgot what love was
Seems to be to me
Something wrong with the kissing
Seems to be tome
Something is missing
What happen to kissing and hugging?
Instead of all that cussing and fussing
I want to know right now
What you got to say
What happen to respecting me?
Instead of spending time in the street
I don't need to know; in fact I got to go
Wait baby let me plead my case
I got a faw more things to say
Shit is making me made
Girl what I do so bad?
What about that girl
You sending money to down the way?
What about, you been cheating on me
She had your baby?
What about, the lies and deceit
I face day to day?
What about, I don't feel the way I used to
I lost my faith in you?
Seemed to be to me
Something wrong with this household
Seems to be to me
You're always trying to take control
Seems to be to me
Something wrong with kissing
Seems to be to me
Something missing
Seems to be to me
Something wrong with the making love
Seems to be to me
You forgot what love was
Seems to be to me
Something wrong with the kissing
Seems to be to me
Something is missing
You were seventeen
And you thought you was grown
I found a thrill when we went up a hill
And you use to feel me
My body would get chills
I picked you up in my eighty nine Chevy
I brought you candy and popcorn
At the movies
I had it made when I, got paid
And we, go roller skate
But every thing has changed, wait
Seems to be to me
Something wrong with this household
Seems to be to me
You're always trying to take control
Seems to be to me
Something wrong with the kissing
Seems to be to me
Something is missing
Seems to be to me
Something wrong with the making love
Seems to be to me
You forgot what love was
Seems to be to me
Something wrong kissing
Seems to be to me
Something is missing
We had fun that year that you turned twenty one
You were my world
'Cause you brought me my baby girl
She so fine and she's all mine
And I promised to love you
Until the end of time
That's ok cause I felt the same way
But you're running game
And that's when everything changed
The phone calls and your two ways
And your attitude
You wanted too many pimp tapes
After all of the things
That we been through
I'm still willing to take care of you
Girl we been together for so long
And I just want to know, what's going on?
Seems to be to me
Something wrong with this household
Seems to be to me
You're always trying to take control
Seems to be to me
Something wrong with the kissing
Seems to be to me
You forgot what love was
Seems to be to me
Something wrong with the kissing
Seems to be tome
Something is missing
What happen to kissing and hugging?
Instead of all that cussing and fussing
I want to know right now
What you got to say
What happen to respecting me?
Instead of spending time in the street
I don't need to know; in fact I got to go
Wait baby let me plead my case
I got a faw more things to say
Shit is making me made
Girl what I do so bad?
What about that girl
You sending money to down the way?
What about, you been cheating on me
She had your baby?
What about, the lies and deceit
I face day to day?
What about, I don't feel the way I used to
I lost my faith in you?
Seemed to be to me
Something wrong with this household
Seems to be to me
You're always trying to take control
Seems to be to me
Something wrong with kissing
Seems to be to me
Something missing
Seems to be to me
Something wrong with the making love
Seems to be to me
You forgot what love was
Seems to be to me
Something wrong with the kissing
Seems to be to me
Something is missing
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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.
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.