"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.
I'm looking for someone with hands
I'm looking for someone with hands
To hold and to squeeze
But not my little finger please
Cos I lost it to rotary fan
Now I'm looking for someone with bi- noculars
So I, Don't have to get so close
Because thats where the most
Casualties arise
And duels will decide
And jewels, oh they will shine
And the eyes of your opponents
May they fall to the floor
You win the battle
You get to rattle
The trophy of gold
Now I'm waiting for someone to scream
(Ahhh!)
I'm waiting for someone to scream
And break all the windows
The building falls down
I'm on the rubble but I'm comfy at least
And now I need someone with spades
To dig me out the mess that I've made
And bring me back to life
With a flash of blue light
My life was flat but now it's been raised
And duels will decide
And jewels, oh they will shine
And the eyes of your opponents
May they fall to the floor
You win the battle
You get you're rattle
Strap up the saddle
And push the pattle
Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh...
Don't say yes unless you mean it
Ride the crest for all to see it
Hold your hands up and believe it
And shake it til you can't take it no more
Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh
Shake it!
Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh
Shake it!
Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh
Shake it!
I'm looking for someone with hands
To hold and to squeeze
But not my little finger please
Cos I lost it to rotary fan
Now I'm looking for someone with bi- noculars
So I, Don't have to get so close
Because thats where the most
Casualties arise
And duels will decide
And jewels, oh they will shine
And the eyes of your opponents
May they fall to the floor
You win the battle
You get to rattle
The trophy of gold
Now I'm waiting for someone to scream
(Ahhh!)
I'm waiting for someone to scream
And break all the windows
The building falls down
I'm on the rubble but I'm comfy at least
And now I need someone with spades
To dig me out the mess that I've made
And bring me back to life
With a flash of blue light
My life was flat but now it's been raised
And duels will decide
And jewels, oh they will shine
And the eyes of your opponents
May they fall to the floor
You win the battle
You get you're rattle
Strap up the saddle
And push the pattle
Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh...
Don't say yes unless you mean it
Ride the crest for all to see it
Hold your hands up and believe it
And shake it til you can't take it no more
Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh
Shake it!
Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh
Shake it!
Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh
Shake it!
Lyrics submitted by MuchTooMuch
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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.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
"Not my little finger please, cos I lost it to a rotary fan"
"You get to rattle the trophy of gold"
"The building falls down I'm in the rubble but I'm comfy at least Now I'm waiting for someone with spades To dig me out the mess that I've made"
"Push the paddle"