"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.
I'll stand at your shoulder
I'll keep you running right
Keep you running right
I'll fight in your corner
I'll stay by your side
I'll stay by your side
There's no need now to worry
Our love's still here tomorrow
There ain't no use in crying
For what's keeping us divided
Baby we're still trying, we're still trying
We're too old to worry
About who's wrong and who is right
Is's all so by and by
People need a villain
Someone to pay the price
It keeps them satisfied
There's no need now to worry
I'll still be here tomorrow
There ain't no use in crying
For what's keeping us divided
Baby we're still trying, we're still trying
Baby we're still trying
Baby we're surviving
I'll keep you running right
Keep you running right
I'll fight in your corner
I'll stay by your side
I'll stay by your side
There's no need now to worry
Our love's still here tomorrow
There ain't no use in crying
For what's keeping us divided
Baby we're still trying, we're still trying
We're too old to worry
About who's wrong and who is right
Is's all so by and by
People need a villain
Someone to pay the price
It keeps them satisfied
There's no need now to worry
I'll still be here tomorrow
There ain't no use in crying
For what's keeping us divided
Baby we're still trying, we're still trying
Baby we're still trying
Baby we're surviving
Lyrics submitted by bleedthecoloursopen
Surviving Lyrics as written by Darren Stuart Middleton Bernard Joseph Fanning
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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,
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“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.
this song is the shit.
i think its basicly about a failing relationship that they are trying to work out. fanning is talking about how even though they are still trying to make it work, and maybe hey aren't quite together anymore, he's still there for her.
One of my favorite songs off of one of my favorite CDs of 2007.