"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.
Too much time talking at each other
Seems you've got a different point of view
Lets just relax
Get down to basic facts
I'll tell you just exactly what to do
You want the car, oh yeah
Well every penny in my pocket isn't yours, my friend
I'm gonna do what my mama says, she said
Hit him, hit him in the heart
That's where it's gonna hurt
Hit him, hit him in the heart
Don't let him treat you like dirt
I don't wanna sound like in complaining
But what's it got to do with love at all
It's a private deal
Painful and so real
You make me feel like I just want to crawl
What's yours is yours, oh yeah
If you want to get your bags
Well I'll leave them in the wall
I'm gonna do what my mama says, she said
You've been spreading rumours all about me
But all these things you said are just not true
Sticks and stones
Can break my bones
But boy they're gonna hurt you too
I've got my pride, oh yeah
So I'll just take your heart and beat it black and blue
I'm gonna do what my mama said, she said . . .
Seems you've got a different point of view
Lets just relax
Get down to basic facts
I'll tell you just exactly what to do
You want the car, oh yeah
Well every penny in my pocket isn't yours, my friend
I'm gonna do what my mama says, she said
Hit him, hit him in the heart
That's where it's gonna hurt
Hit him, hit him in the heart
Don't let him treat you like dirt
I don't wanna sound like in complaining
But what's it got to do with love at all
It's a private deal
Painful and so real
You make me feel like I just want to crawl
What's yours is yours, oh yeah
If you want to get your bags
Well I'll leave them in the wall
I'm gonna do what my mama says, she said
You've been spreading rumours all about me
But all these things you said are just not true
Sticks and stones
Can break my bones
But boy they're gonna hurt you too
I've got my pride, oh yeah
So I'll just take your heart and beat it black and blue
I'm gonna do what my mama said, she said . . .
Lyrics submitted by Major Valor
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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.
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/
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.