"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.
It keeps you up
From the back of your mind
To the tip of your tongue
Reaching out lookin for mine
[Chorus:]
I'll be your cigarette
Light me up and get on with it
I'll be hard to forget
Good or bad I'm just a habit
Good or bad I'm just your habit
Sweet relief
That's what you come and get from me
I give up everytime
You want it you got it I'm burnin down
[Chorus]
And you try to put me down
Everytime you come back around
And you try to put me away
Tell yourself you'll kick it someday
[Chorus]
From the back of your mind
To the tip of your tongue
Reaching out lookin for mine
[Chorus:]
I'll be your cigarette
Light me up and get on with it
I'll be hard to forget
Good or bad I'm just a habit
Good or bad I'm just your habit
Sweet relief
That's what you come and get from me
I give up everytime
You want it you got it I'm burnin down
[Chorus]
And you try to put me down
Everytime you come back around
And you try to put me away
Tell yourself you'll kick it someday
[Chorus]
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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.
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/
No one has commented this yet? o.o holycrap. :D this song is one of my favorite songs eveeer.
I'm in love with this song,.
this is totally a booty call song.
except he's not calling this girl. he's good. he knows it. so this girl keeps calling him. she's addicted to him and his "sweet relief". he's into the act, but he's very casual about this "relationship".
he says, "light me up and get on with it", which says to me "okay. let's do this...but let's cut the foreplay and no cuddling, k?"
the girl knows it's probably not good for her, but it's become a habit and something that she "needs" just like people who smoke "need" their cigarette. whereas, he is saying "i'm just a habit" meaning that he thinks she can quit anytime.
this song is soooo good.
*she can quit anytime, but she probably won't. she seems weak.
Not even that.
It's about a girl, or a guy really, up to you, who just keeps coming back to one certain person, and they're not sure why. They don't know why they have feelings for them, and sometimes think that they really shouldn't, and they try and leave, but always end up back at their door.
Nothing really sexual at all
this is a really good song saw jeremy fisher live a while back and he was amazing ox
My take on it, or at least what I'm projecting onto the meaning: Its about a girl who shows up when she needs affection, uses him up, and flicks him away like a cigarette. She's there when she craves him and gone when she's got her fill. He's not sure how they feel about each other but it's good when she's there and realizes it's unhealthy when she's not. He realizes what he means to her and as much as she seems to care, she's attracted to him, but he's just not very important to her and there's no commitment. They are just helplessly drawn to each other and she aloof when she's pushing him away. He let's her do this every time but it's getting old; he can't help himself. He's addicted to her as much as she is to him.
I've been there; it's an unhealthy cycle that feels just about worth the trouble. The sex clouds your view of what's really going on.