"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.
There isn't destiny
The way things go
I don't think so
The changes that alter us
Are a product of our own volition
And we become what we hate
It's not hard to figure out
That you're scared when
You act so much better
You're holding onto
Something we can't have
But hands still circle
You're still getting old
And we become what we hate
Do you believe in the lies
That shape your world
Do you believe in your
Own fictitious immortality
The world won't end while
You walk the earth
And when you realize that
Your life don't matter
You'll turn to something to help
You forget that you're
Only young once, old forever
The way things go
I don't think so
The changes that alter us
Are a product of our own volition
And we become what we hate
It's not hard to figure out
That you're scared when
You act so much better
You're holding onto
Something we can't have
But hands still circle
You're still getting old
And we become what we hate
Do you believe in the lies
That shape your world
Do you believe in your
Own fictitious immortality
The world won't end while
You walk the earth
And when you realize that
Your life don't matter
You'll turn to something to help
You forget that you're
Only young once, old forever
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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.
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,
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.
Yeah, the song is probably encouraging kids to do stuff before they get old, because if they get old withoput doing significant thoings, their life will turn meaningless and there won't be any turning back.