"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.
The grass and the daisies
Think a lot more of the days than you
And you're you
The walls of the maze
Know the will more than the way than you
And you're just you
The buttons on my phone
Know I hate to be alone
When I dial, I'm in denial
But now at least I know
Where it is I have to go
I need supplies before I arrive
"You're running down my thigh," she said
"He's such a wonderful guy," she said
"There's pride in wanting to die
I think I'll give it a try," she said
"I can't make it on my own
And it's so hard to be alone
When I die
I'll be alright"
And now at least she knows
Where it is she has to go
She'll need supplies before she arrives
We're not gonna die like this (oh no)
We're not gonna die like this (oh no)
Sing it with me, 'cause it goes like this
We're not gonna die like this
Fly away little hummingbird!
Think a lot more of the days than you
And you're you
The walls of the maze
Know the will more than the way than you
And you're just you
The buttons on my phone
Know I hate to be alone
When I dial, I'm in denial
But now at least I know
Where it is I have to go
I need supplies before I arrive
"You're running down my thigh," she said
"He's such a wonderful guy," she said
"There's pride in wanting to die
I think I'll give it a try," she said
"I can't make it on my own
And it's so hard to be alone
When I die
I'll be alright"
And now at least she knows
Where it is she has to go
She'll need supplies before she arrives
We're not gonna die like this (oh no)
We're not gonna die like this (oh no)
Sing it with me, 'cause it goes like this
We're not gonna die like this
Fly away little hummingbird!
Lyrics submitted by _mycritique
Hummingbird Lyrics as written by Mitchell Derosier Luke Michael Charles Lalonde
Lyrics © WARP MUSIC LIMITED
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
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.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
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/
I know this thread is becoming overrun with talking about VPW and not this songbut I just have one more observation: The name 'Born Ruffians' actually means something ie they are rugged and no bullshit (I think). But what the hell is a 'Vampire Weekend' ? Even if that does have a meaning its probably just an attempt at being profound that comes off as pretentious and stupid in my opinion. O well lets get back to the song, shall we?
That's quite a strawman you've got there rebellumberjack. I'm sick of the the Vampire Weekend comparisons too, but that's no reason to assume things about the intentions of the band in naming themselves Vampire Weekend. Much to your chagrin (sorry you don't get to hate them for this anymore), their name comes from an amateur horror film one of the members of the band (not sure which one) made a few years before the band was formed (the movie was called "Vampire Weekend").