"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.
Some days we're ripped and torn away
From the shore and tossed to a watery grave
Set adrift in the depths of the drink in the hands of the gods we curse
We call for help when no one's around
Shot down fleeting thoughts never make a sound
Set adrift in the depths of the dark in the heart of the sea where we wish
I feel it in my bones when the storm is close
Then await for the rain and the wind to blow
As dark colors fill the sky I'm drenched I'm feeling so alive
Eyes closed tight my ears open for the boat
We all carry the tune we love
Think of home when the waves and the going get tough
Hold our breath and go down with the wish of just one last kiss to rest
I feel it in my bones when the storm is close
Then await for the rain and the wind to blow
As dark colors fill the sky I'm drenched I'm feeling so alive
Eyes closed tight my ears open for the boat
From the shore and tossed to a watery grave
Set adrift in the depths of the drink in the hands of the gods we curse
We call for help when no one's around
Shot down fleeting thoughts never make a sound
Set adrift in the depths of the dark in the heart of the sea where we wish
I feel it in my bones when the storm is close
Then await for the rain and the wind to blow
As dark colors fill the sky I'm drenched I'm feeling so alive
Eyes closed tight my ears open for the boat
We all carry the tune we love
Think of home when the waves and the going get tough
Hold our breath and go down with the wish of just one last kiss to rest
I feel it in my bones when the storm is close
Then await for the rain and the wind to blow
As dark colors fill the sky I'm drenched I'm feeling so alive
Eyes closed tight my ears open for the boat
Lyrics submitted by vitustinnitus
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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.
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,
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.
From the booklet from Feast And Famine:
Some days we're ripped and torn away from the shores and tossed to a watery grave. Set adrift in the depths of the drink and in the hand of the gods we curse. We call for help when no one's around, shot down bleeding, thoughts never make a sound. Set adrift in the depths of the dark, in the heard of the sea where we wish. I feel it in my bones when the storm is close, then I wait for the rain and the wind to blow. As dark colors fill the sky, I'm drenched and feeling so alive, eyes closed tight and my ears open for the boat. we all carry the tune we love, think of home when the waves and the going get tough. Hold our breath and go down with the wish of just one last kiss to rest. I feel it in my bones when the storm is close, then I wait for the rain and the wind to blow. As dark colors fill the sky, I'm drenched and feeling so alive, eyes closed tight and my ears open for the boat.