"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.
A short piece of my life.
77 was the year, where everything starts [Stop!]
I Lived on the top of the street
in a building full of green, Field? Was not that
screen [Scream!]
To call my best friend, that lived on the other side,
TV off, Computers on? Bye bye
we found outside a club, where boys can be boys,
like old times No girls at all
All the time I was in school,
we change our friends, we change our clothes
we kiss the girls because we need to,
it's an ego of a normal boy...
But why at that time, it was strange not to look or
act like a normal guy,
songs were made to make me cry,
and we can meet The Smiths at any time of our lives,
cause songs will help you every time, just try to wake
up one day rewind,
we were only 17, and then did you wait for the lonely
time
just to say like a normal guy, [HI] my bed its empty,
you want to try?
We grow as normal nature.
And we still believe that if we try THE BAND can save
your life.
can be such an easy thing, just think the kid you were
before
Creep was like a bomb. Share the songs with the
friends,
he will know your thoughts, he knows your songs, he
brings the light you wish,
it's the cure to yuor lonely time, he's a Jesus in a
genius way.
A lie, at that time it was just a way to put us by the
same side,
we were more then 17. At that time a lie means a
sacrifice,
everybody knows why,
but we were only... Again out of time, I know why we
will say good bye,
everybody knows why and we were almost 21, and then,
still you wait for a lonely time, just to say to a
normal guy??? normal guy???
My bed is empty...
Why at that time
it was just a way to put us by the same side, cause we
were more then 17
and then, still you wait till the end, to say like a
normal guy. goodbye...
A lie, at that time it was just a way to put us by the
same side,
cause we were almost 21, and then, still you wait
till the end,
to say like a normal guy.
goodbye... and why, why, why, why...
[till fade]
Please, i'm 27 years old
77 was the year, where everything starts [Stop!]
I Lived on the top of the street
in a building full of green, Field? Was not that
screen [Scream!]
To call my best friend, that lived on the other side,
TV off, Computers on? Bye bye
we found outside a club, where boys can be boys,
like old times No girls at all
All the time I was in school,
we change our friends, we change our clothes
we kiss the girls because we need to,
it's an ego of a normal boy...
But why at that time, it was strange not to look or
act like a normal guy,
songs were made to make me cry,
and we can meet The Smiths at any time of our lives,
cause songs will help you every time, just try to wake
up one day rewind,
we were only 17, and then did you wait for the lonely
time
just to say like a normal guy, [HI] my bed its empty,
you want to try?
We grow as normal nature.
And we still believe that if we try THE BAND can save
your life.
can be such an easy thing, just think the kid you were
before
Creep was like a bomb. Share the songs with the
friends,
he will know your thoughts, he knows your songs, he
brings the light you wish,
it's the cure to yuor lonely time, he's a Jesus in a
genius way.
A lie, at that time it was just a way to put us by the
same side,
we were more then 17. At that time a lie means a
sacrifice,
everybody knows why,
but we were only... Again out of time, I know why we
will say good bye,
everybody knows why and we were almost 21, and then,
still you wait for a lonely time, just to say to a
normal guy??? normal guy???
My bed is empty...
Why at that time
it was just a way to put us by the same side, cause we
were more then 17
and then, still you wait till the end, to say like a
normal guy. goodbye...
A lie, at that time it was just a way to put us by the
same side,
cause we were almost 21, and then, still you wait
till the end,
to say like a normal guy.
goodbye... and why, why, why, why...
[till fade]
Please, i'm 27 years old
Lyrics submitted by OnlyPainIsReal
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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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,
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
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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/
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.