"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.
In your own time, you'll drink something evil
Sing like an old crow and worship the land
Don't be scared if I walk with the devil
Run down the mountain and ask for your hand
'Cause we only want a life that's well worth living
And sleeping ain't no kind of life at all
Come meet the family and sit by the fire
Someone will catch you if you want to fall
In your own time, you'll dance in the moonlight
Smoke like a freight train and fuck like a dog
Don't be scared if I tell you I love you
I'll be good to you and then I'll be gone
'Cause we only want a life that's well worth living
And sleeping ain't no kind of life at all
Come meet the family and get warm by the fire
Someone will catch you if you want to fall
Someone will catch you if you want to fall
Sing like an old crow and worship the land
Don't be scared if I walk with the devil
Run down the mountain and ask for your hand
'Cause we only want a life that's well worth living
And sleeping ain't no kind of life at all
Come meet the family and sit by the fire
Someone will catch you if you want to fall
In your own time, you'll dance in the moonlight
Smoke like a freight train and fuck like a dog
Don't be scared if I tell you I love you
I'll be good to you and then I'll be gone
'Cause we only want a life that's well worth living
And sleeping ain't no kind of life at all
Come meet the family and get warm by the fire
Someone will catch you if you want to fall
Someone will catch you if you want to fall
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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/
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.
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.
I don't really know why, but the impression I get from this song is that someone is trying to "ruin" their life or is starting to go down a path that they know is self-destructive but they find themselves surrounded by people who just won't leave them alone/let them do what they want. So they're stifled by people that love them and say they want to help but don't really understand anything about the world. It reminds me a lot of my life. It's like... there are some people that just know more about the real world, the darker things of it, and the more naive people think they can fix everything and do everything right and that everyone has a problem if they're not as happy as them. I don't know. Just an idea. It's like churchpeople not understanding a druggie's problem, but having known them forever they think that a little prayer will do the trick when in reality, the druggie needs real help, psychological help, rehab, etc, and not just religion. This one isn't my favorite Iron & Wine song, but it's a good listen(: