"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.
Every time I think to make a move
Every time I try to get with you
Every time I've done what I want to do
There you are; there you go
You don't need me; that's easy
I know he's the one
You're already going steady with no need to run
I've been silent; so quiet
You never had a clue
My patience running out
I think it's funny how everyone knew but you
Because I'm sick of lying
And never trying to make this love make sense
Now I'm ready to go (at least I think so)
I'm taking my second chance
(Yeah yeah)
But every time I think to make a move
Every time I try to get with you
Every time I've done what I want to do
There you are; there you go
And everything isn't going alright
Because you're in love with Mr. Right
This is keeping me up every night
There you are; there you go
I've been dying
So I'm trying to let this one go
I just leaked it, but still a secret
So you'd never know
It was clever
Thought you'd never figure this one out
But I messed it up; I confessed it drunk
Looks like my secret's out
And to make it better, I wrote this letter
Explaining my feelings
Your reply came as no surprise:
I fucked up everything
(Yeah yeah)
But every time I think to make a move
Every time I try to get with you
Every time I've done what I want to do
There you are; there you go
And everything isn't going alright
Because you're in love with Mr. Right
This is keeping me up every night
There you are; there you go
There you are; there you go
Every time I try to get with you
Every time I've done what I want to do
There you are; there you go
You don't need me; that's easy
I know he's the one
You're already going steady with no need to run
I've been silent; so quiet
You never had a clue
My patience running out
I think it's funny how everyone knew but you
Because I'm sick of lying
And never trying to make this love make sense
Now I'm ready to go (at least I think so)
I'm taking my second chance
(Yeah yeah)
But every time I think to make a move
Every time I try to get with you
Every time I've done what I want to do
There you are; there you go
And everything isn't going alright
Because you're in love with Mr. Right
This is keeping me up every night
There you are; there you go
I've been dying
So I'm trying to let this one go
I just leaked it, but still a secret
So you'd never know
It was clever
Thought you'd never figure this one out
But I messed it up; I confessed it drunk
Looks like my secret's out
And to make it better, I wrote this letter
Explaining my feelings
Your reply came as no surprise:
I fucked up everything
(Yeah yeah)
But every time I think to make a move
Every time I try to get with you
Every time I've done what I want to do
There you are; there you go
And everything isn't going alright
Because you're in love with Mr. Right
This is keeping me up every night
There you are; there you go
There you are; there you go
Lyrics submitted by s_o_mercury
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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/
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.
A basic love-a-girl from afar, but can't have her because she doesn't know and he's too chickenshit to say anything, until, of course, he gets drunk and spills the beans. But it's too late.