"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.
Outside the South Central area, few cared about the violence
Because it didn't affect them
Break 'em off somethin'
Back to the criminal set
But they can't catch me yet
Don't trip you might break your neck (break 'em off somethin')
And get wet from the rain of the tec, I (break 'em off somethin')
Back to the criminal set
But they can't catch me yet
Your gum bumpin' gon' lead to gun bumpin' (break 'em off somethin')
I'm the one when the party is jumpin' to (break 'em off somethin')
I heard the O.G.'s they don't hit
And I'm the only one left from the West that you can't fuck with
But lately I've been feelin' like Will Smith
Why bother with rap when I can get 20 mil' on a flick? (Yeah!)
Y'all niggas just started some shit, the underdog
Makin' songs for them hogs, and them Bloods and Crips
When it show up by the mall with a Muslim scent
After all, who do you call to rock your shit? (Break 'em off somethin') (Haha)
Bust the ghetto bird, circle above, reminisce (woo!)
Of the dust kicked up, the dirt swept under the rug
Duct tape, ski-mask, tape recorders
Cue K's, ready to blaze and bakin' soda
First learned how to cook in a coffee pot
Made the block get hot like lava rock
Got love for the block cause I came from that
But I ain't afraid to go right back (break 'em off somethin')
Yeah!
Back to the criminal set
But they can't catch me yet
Don't trip you might break your neck (break 'em off somethin')
And get wet from the rain of the tec, I (break 'em off somethin')
Back to the criminal set
But they can't catch me yet
Your gum bumpin' gon' lead to gun bumpin' (break 'em off somethin')
I'm the one when the party is jumpin' to (break 'em off somethin')
(Yeah!) It's a, suicide, it's a suicide
If you ever get the heart to try fuckin' with mines
No chains, I'm rockin' the nine (hah), you ridin' the pine (break 'em off somethin') (uh-huh)
The heavy metal knock you out of your mind (break 'em off somethin') (Woo!)
Now how many really gon' ride, when the war start?
Eaten alive by these hollow-tip darts (blap!)
My 12 gauge'll tear you apart, don't get caught at the light
The house party or the neighbourhood park (come on!)
Mr. X marks the spot then pops the mark
Turn your whole neighbourhood to a parkin' lot (yeah)
I paid the cost to be the boss
And will do my time standin' up 'til I get an appeal (yeah)
These weapons too real to conceal, so why bother (hah)
Semper fidelis, I learned from my father (ah!)
I always stay faithful to myself and grow
But when I catch that ass after the show (break 'em off somethin') Yeah!
Back to the criminal set
But they can't catch me yet
Don't trip you might break your neck (break 'em off somethin')
And get wet from the rain of the tec, I (Break 'em off somethin')
Back to the criminal set
But they can't catch me yet
Your gum bumpin' gon' lead to gun bumpin' (break 'em off somethin')
I'm the one when the party is jumpin' to (break 'em off somethin')
I'm slick and slippery
On a high-speed chase all the way to the victory (yeah!)
Y'all niggas is stone cold mysteries
Too weak, can't stand in the ring with me (uh-huh)
Put a pussy back in his place (ah), straight-laced
With the Strong Arm Steady gang up in your face
I run a race with the West to my back
While you're the reason why they say niggas in the West can't rap (woo!)
Ever since the white Concourse 'Llac, I've been unmatched
A avalanche in the hood on attack (huh)
Just hardcore actual facts (huh), never wait
Just react when them killers come at you with gats (yeah!)
Had to dig the knife out of my back, now I'm back on track
Hittin' laps, 'bout to widen the gap, yo (come on)
It ain't the long fall from the top that got 'em
It was the sharp sudden stop at the bottom, haha (break 'em off somethin') (Yeah!)
Back to the criminal set
But they can't catch me yet
Don't trip you might break your neck (break 'em off somethin')
And get wet from the rain of the tec, I (break 'em off somethin')
Back to the criminal set
But they can't catch me yet
Your gum bumpin' gon' lead to gun bumpin' (break 'em off somethin')
I'm the one when the party is jumpin' to (break 'em off somethin')
Because it didn't affect them
Break 'em off somethin'
Back to the criminal set
But they can't catch me yet
Don't trip you might break your neck (break 'em off somethin')
And get wet from the rain of the tec, I (break 'em off somethin')
Back to the criminal set
But they can't catch me yet
Your gum bumpin' gon' lead to gun bumpin' (break 'em off somethin')
I'm the one when the party is jumpin' to (break 'em off somethin')
I heard the O.G.'s they don't hit
And I'm the only one left from the West that you can't fuck with
But lately I've been feelin' like Will Smith
Why bother with rap when I can get 20 mil' on a flick? (Yeah!)
Y'all niggas just started some shit, the underdog
Makin' songs for them hogs, and them Bloods and Crips
When it show up by the mall with a Muslim scent
After all, who do you call to rock your shit? (Break 'em off somethin') (Haha)
Bust the ghetto bird, circle above, reminisce (woo!)
Of the dust kicked up, the dirt swept under the rug
Duct tape, ski-mask, tape recorders
Cue K's, ready to blaze and bakin' soda
First learned how to cook in a coffee pot
Made the block get hot like lava rock
Got love for the block cause I came from that
But I ain't afraid to go right back (break 'em off somethin')
Yeah!
Back to the criminal set
But they can't catch me yet
Don't trip you might break your neck (break 'em off somethin')
And get wet from the rain of the tec, I (break 'em off somethin')
Back to the criminal set
But they can't catch me yet
Your gum bumpin' gon' lead to gun bumpin' (break 'em off somethin')
I'm the one when the party is jumpin' to (break 'em off somethin')
(Yeah!) It's a, suicide, it's a suicide
If you ever get the heart to try fuckin' with mines
No chains, I'm rockin' the nine (hah), you ridin' the pine (break 'em off somethin') (uh-huh)
The heavy metal knock you out of your mind (break 'em off somethin') (Woo!)
Now how many really gon' ride, when the war start?
Eaten alive by these hollow-tip darts (blap!)
My 12 gauge'll tear you apart, don't get caught at the light
The house party or the neighbourhood park (come on!)
Mr. X marks the spot then pops the mark
Turn your whole neighbourhood to a parkin' lot (yeah)
I paid the cost to be the boss
And will do my time standin' up 'til I get an appeal (yeah)
These weapons too real to conceal, so why bother (hah)
Semper fidelis, I learned from my father (ah!)
I always stay faithful to myself and grow
But when I catch that ass after the show (break 'em off somethin') Yeah!
Back to the criminal set
But they can't catch me yet
Don't trip you might break your neck (break 'em off somethin')
And get wet from the rain of the tec, I (Break 'em off somethin')
Back to the criminal set
But they can't catch me yet
Your gum bumpin' gon' lead to gun bumpin' (break 'em off somethin')
I'm the one when the party is jumpin' to (break 'em off somethin')
I'm slick and slippery
On a high-speed chase all the way to the victory (yeah!)
Y'all niggas is stone cold mysteries
Too weak, can't stand in the ring with me (uh-huh)
Put a pussy back in his place (ah), straight-laced
With the Strong Arm Steady gang up in your face
I run a race with the West to my back
While you're the reason why they say niggas in the West can't rap (woo!)
Ever since the white Concourse 'Llac, I've been unmatched
A avalanche in the hood on attack (huh)
Just hardcore actual facts (huh), never wait
Just react when them killers come at you with gats (yeah!)
Had to dig the knife out of my back, now I'm back on track
Hittin' laps, 'bout to widen the gap, yo (come on)
It ain't the long fall from the top that got 'em
It was the sharp sudden stop at the bottom, haha (break 'em off somethin') (Yeah!)
Back to the criminal set
But they can't catch me yet
Don't trip you might break your neck (break 'em off somethin')
And get wet from the rain of the tec, I (break 'em off somethin')
Back to the criminal set
But they can't catch me yet
Your gum bumpin' gon' lead to gun bumpin' (break 'em off somethin')
I'm the one when the party is jumpin' to (break 'em off somethin')
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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.
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/
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
this the shit man, some how, crap like this cheers me up.