"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.
'Round the corner from me lives a lawyer/rocker age 53
He's got two kids, both girls.
23 and 17 you know they mean the world to him.
But Mr. Lawyer, he's not the point. He heard my band
And had to give an account of what he liked and what he hated,
Mentioned we alienated girls from boys.
You see I was angry, I was crushed and I know these words
Just wont be enough.
And I'll come home at night and crawl in my bed so cold
And rest will never come.
When I scream, it certainly isn't for machismo.
Not intimidation or gender segregation
I just needed more from the words I sang but you can't understand.
So you're saying that a female only listens to ballads and love songs?
The girls that I know wouldn't think so.
But according to you our songs should separate all the girls from the boys
He's got two kids, both girls.
23 and 17 you know they mean the world to him.
But Mr. Lawyer, he's not the point. He heard my band
And had to give an account of what he liked and what he hated,
Mentioned we alienated girls from boys.
You see I was angry, I was crushed and I know these words
Just wont be enough.
And I'll come home at night and crawl in my bed so cold
And rest will never come.
When I scream, it certainly isn't for machismo.
Not intimidation or gender segregation
I just needed more from the words I sang but you can't understand.
So you're saying that a female only listens to ballads and love songs?
The girls that I know wouldn't think so.
But according to you our songs should separate all the girls from the boys
Lyrics submitted by books_out_loud
Our Ballads Lyrics as written by
Lyrics © POUND IT MUSIC
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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/
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.
Great song with a good message. Is fairly obvious.
Jimmy explains it: youtube.com/watch