"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.
Sound of the police. Oi oi, big up to the underground,
Another chance to dance in the sun, move out to the renegade sound.
Sound system 20k, no one for miles away
But they won't fucking let us stay, and they say go away.
Here come the dibble playing piggy in the middle of nowhere
But still they come out there. (Move out of my way.)
They're causing problems when I recognise one of them
From my school and then he starts to say...
Oi oi, I didn't want to be like this but sorry mate
You know that this is just the way it is.
Back in school you were the first to be the front of the fight, man we got stoned every night,
You know we used to be tight but I don't recognise
Babylon in front of me, talking about this, oh no no no,
I haven't changed in a bit...
You know those hippies want to take the piss,
I kiss the scruffy fuckers on the head with this.
It's a dirty job that someone's got to do and it comes down to me.
Whoop whoop, and that's the sound of the police.
Piggy in the middle.
Watch the piggy in the middle, said a whoop whoop.
I'm drawing a line
And you're no friend of mine.
Piggy in the middle.
Watch the piggy in the middle.
No you aren't no friend of mine.
When we were little playing piggy in the middle
In the park until the sun went down. (Back in the day.)
Now you’re on horses as your regiment enforces
All the laws at which we used to frown.
You say well this is just the way it is, they're pissed
I push them to the ground and bend their wrists.
It's the dirty job that someone's got to do and it comes down to me.
Whoop whoop, and that's the sound of the police.
Piggy in the middle.
Watch the piggy in the middle, said a whoop whoop.
I'm drawing a line
And you're no friend of mine.
Piggy in the middle.
Watch the piggy in the middle.
No you aren't no friend of mine.
So you see, Mr. Officer
How I've tried to see, from your point of view.
But your eyes I don't recognise,
It's not what you do, it's what it's done to you.
You see a world, etched in black and white.
You see a world, ready for a fight.
No we can't, be the same tonight
So I'll speak my piece.
So Mr. Officer no show me producer,
You only talking like my friend because I knew you.
For every copper to serve and protect me
There's always one like you to fucking contest me. No.
And you should know if the push becomes a shove
I know exactly where I stand now that you're a part of
Everything you said you'd never be.
And that's the sound of the police.
Piggy in the middle.
Watch the piggy in the middle, said a whoop whoop.
I'm drawing a line
And you're no friend of mine.
Piggy in the middle.
Watch the piggy in the middle, said a whoop whoop.
So show me a sign,
Where do you draw the line?
Piggy in the middle.
Watch the piggy in the middle.
No you aren't no friend...
No you aren't no friend of mine.
Another chance to dance in the sun, move out to the renegade sound.
Sound system 20k, no one for miles away
But they won't fucking let us stay, and they say go away.
Here come the dibble playing piggy in the middle of nowhere
But still they come out there. (Move out of my way.)
They're causing problems when I recognise one of them
From my school and then he starts to say...
Oi oi, I didn't want to be like this but sorry mate
You know that this is just the way it is.
Back in school you were the first to be the front of the fight, man we got stoned every night,
You know we used to be tight but I don't recognise
Babylon in front of me, talking about this, oh no no no,
I haven't changed in a bit...
You know those hippies want to take the piss,
I kiss the scruffy fuckers on the head with this.
It's a dirty job that someone's got to do and it comes down to me.
Whoop whoop, and that's the sound of the police.
Piggy in the middle.
Watch the piggy in the middle, said a whoop whoop.
I'm drawing a line
And you're no friend of mine.
Piggy in the middle.
Watch the piggy in the middle.
No you aren't no friend of mine.
When we were little playing piggy in the middle
In the park until the sun went down. (Back in the day.)
Now you’re on horses as your regiment enforces
All the laws at which we used to frown.
You say well this is just the way it is, they're pissed
I push them to the ground and bend their wrists.
It's the dirty job that someone's got to do and it comes down to me.
Whoop whoop, and that's the sound of the police.
Piggy in the middle.
Watch the piggy in the middle, said a whoop whoop.
I'm drawing a line
And you're no friend of mine.
Piggy in the middle.
Watch the piggy in the middle.
No you aren't no friend of mine.
So you see, Mr. Officer
How I've tried to see, from your point of view.
But your eyes I don't recognise,
It's not what you do, it's what it's done to you.
You see a world, etched in black and white.
You see a world, ready for a fight.
No we can't, be the same tonight
So I'll speak my piece.
So Mr. Officer no show me producer,
You only talking like my friend because I knew you.
For every copper to serve and protect me
There's always one like you to fucking contest me. No.
And you should know if the push becomes a shove
I know exactly where I stand now that you're a part of
Everything you said you'd never be.
And that's the sound of the police.
Piggy in the middle.
Watch the piggy in the middle, said a whoop whoop.
I'm drawing a line
And you're no friend of mine.
Piggy in the middle.
Watch the piggy in the middle, said a whoop whoop.
So show me a sign,
Where do you draw the line?
Piggy in the middle.
Watch the piggy in the middle.
No you aren't no friend...
No you aren't no friend of mine.
Lyrics submitted by skacore_dude
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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/
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Comically - my boyfriend works for the Police. This is his favourite SB6 song.