"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.
And there I was on misty edge licking it up.
What became of your self-inflicted wounds.
And then the blood started running and a running right from your nose.
But you just let it flow because the color's so beautiful.
Denial feels so good.
We don't have a problem at all.
Oh, denial feels so good.
I'll even help you put up your wall.
And I'll applaud you as you fall.
Whoa, off and on, off and on.
We need to break this spell that we cast upon ourselves.
Whoa, off and on, off and on.
I need to quit.
I don't think I have the strength to live without it.
And there I was all cloudy eyed, I was trying to speak.
My family stood before me.
And then the tears started running and a running right from their eyes.
Don't you think I would stop if I could scream between the cries?
Denial feels so good.
We don't have a problem at all.
Oh, denial feels so good.
I'll even help you put up your wall.
And I'll applaud you as you fall.
Whoa, off and on, off and on.
We need to break this spell that we cast upon ourselves.
Whoa, off and on, off and on.
I need to quit.
I don't think I have the strength to live without it.
Just one final time.
Whoa, off and on, off and on.
We need to break this spell that we cast upon ourselves.
Whoa, off and on, off and on.
I need to quit.
I don't think I have the strength to live without it.
Off and on, off and on.
What became of your self-inflicted wounds.
And then the blood started running and a running right from your nose.
But you just let it flow because the color's so beautiful.
Denial feels so good.
We don't have a problem at all.
Oh, denial feels so good.
I'll even help you put up your wall.
And I'll applaud you as you fall.
Whoa, off and on, off and on.
We need to break this spell that we cast upon ourselves.
Whoa, off and on, off and on.
I need to quit.
I don't think I have the strength to live without it.
And there I was all cloudy eyed, I was trying to speak.
My family stood before me.
And then the tears started running and a running right from their eyes.
Don't you think I would stop if I could scream between the cries?
Denial feels so good.
We don't have a problem at all.
Oh, denial feels so good.
I'll even help you put up your wall.
And I'll applaud you as you fall.
Whoa, off and on, off and on.
We need to break this spell that we cast upon ourselves.
Whoa, off and on, off and on.
I need to quit.
I don't think I have the strength to live without it.
Just one final time.
Whoa, off and on, off and on.
We need to break this spell that we cast upon ourselves.
Whoa, off and on, off and on.
I need to quit.
I don't think I have the strength to live without it.
Off and on, off and on.
Lyrics submitted by 360degrees
To Live Without It Lyrics as written by Joseph Dean Beck Daniel Ludeman
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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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,
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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/
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“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
New song off of Denial Feels So Good which comes out May 1st featuring a Staplegunned remix, a Fleetwood Mac cover, this, and two other songs.