"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.
People have this way of knowing everything
They take one short look and then move on
If you ever wanted anything
Then you have to disagree
Make some time with the fire's coals
Who really knows if it isn't coal?
I am hardly shocked to learn it's everywhere
I read two short words and then passed out
If you ever needed anything
It's got to be more we can see
Like a silver glow after sleepless nights
In the melting dark with the losing light
Making shapes with the praying eyes
Don't ever be that terrified
Remember when we closed our eyes behind hotels
You spoke three short words and then went down
And if you ever needed anyone
All that's left is to agree
'Til the meadow shake and the tall grass hums
'Til the first light breaks and morning comes
There's no way around it's all getting down
We can take everything we've found
There's no way we can lose
When we're proving simple proofs
It's the best thing we can do
While the light is coming through
They take one short look and then move on
If you ever wanted anything
Then you have to disagree
Make some time with the fire's coals
Who really knows if it isn't coal?
I am hardly shocked to learn it's everywhere
I read two short words and then passed out
If you ever needed anything
It's got to be more we can see
Like a silver glow after sleepless nights
In the melting dark with the losing light
Making shapes with the praying eyes
Don't ever be that terrified
Remember when we closed our eyes behind hotels
You spoke three short words and then went down
And if you ever needed anyone
All that's left is to agree
'Til the meadow shake and the tall grass hums
'Til the first light breaks and morning comes
There's no way around it's all getting down
We can take everything we've found
There's no way we can lose
When we're proving simple proofs
It's the best thing we can do
While the light is coming through
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
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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/
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
These are the correct lyrics, right from mattpondPA.com:
People have this way of knowing everything They take one short look and then move on If you've ever wanted anything Then you have to disagree Make some time with the fire's coals Who really knows if it isn't cold.
I am hardly shocked to learn it's everywhere I read two short words and then passed out If you ever needed anything There's got to be more we can see Like the silver glow after sleepless nights In the melting dark with the losing light Making shapes with the preying eyes Don't ever be that terrified
Remember when we closed our eyes behind hotels Spoke three short words and then went down If you ever needed anyone All that's left is to agree Till the meadows shake and the tall grass hums Till first light breaks and the morning comes There's no way around, it's all getting down We can take everything we've found
There's no way we can lose When we're proving simple proofs It's the best that we can do The light is coming through