"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.
His two handed handshake
Says he's so glad to meet you
His one silver earring
Says he parties on weekends
He churns through the channels
When he's watching the TV
He recites lines from movies
When he's trying to be funny
Guys, it's like we're not even trying
Yeah, she danced with that one guy
She must know we're watching
It seems like less people
Than were here just last weekend
She's still pretty pissed
About her ex's new trick
There were stares
And glares and names
Girls, you know you're not really helping
I don't think that you'll find love
In some bathroom at some club
I know some kids who didn't come back
We had First Ave. on Fridays
We're pirates at port
We go in and we get high,
Two at a time
We get drunk on the sports
We're falling into bed
With our television sets
We're watching movies
That we've already seen
Guys, it's like we're not even trying
You dress like contestants
At some desparate paegent
You fall asleep in your makeup
You wake up with a blemish
You're making up your mind
About the drinks after work
It's such a gossipy office
Girls, you're gonna find someone
You don't have to rush it
You're too young to force your crushes
You don't have to rush it
You're too young to fake your crushes
Oooh
Guys, I'm pretty sure that we can put it back together
And girls, you gotta try to be nice to one another
Guys, I'm pretty sure that we can put it back together
And girls, you gotta try to be nice to one another
I don't think we'll get the truth
From kids with stickers on their boots
I know some kids who didn't come back
From the plywood painted black
We gotta try a little harder
We gotta be a little better
We gotta pull it back together
Says he's so glad to meet you
His one silver earring
Says he parties on weekends
He churns through the channels
When he's watching the TV
He recites lines from movies
When he's trying to be funny
Guys, it's like we're not even trying
Yeah, she danced with that one guy
She must know we're watching
It seems like less people
Than were here just last weekend
She's still pretty pissed
About her ex's new trick
There were stares
And glares and names
Girls, you know you're not really helping
I don't think that you'll find love
In some bathroom at some club
I know some kids who didn't come back
We had First Ave. on Fridays
We're pirates at port
We go in and we get high,
Two at a time
We get drunk on the sports
We're falling into bed
With our television sets
We're watching movies
That we've already seen
Guys, it's like we're not even trying
You dress like contestants
At some desparate paegent
You fall asleep in your makeup
You wake up with a blemish
You're making up your mind
About the drinks after work
It's such a gossipy office
Girls, you're gonna find someone
You don't have to rush it
You're too young to force your crushes
You don't have to rush it
You're too young to fake your crushes
Oooh
Guys, I'm pretty sure that we can put it back together
And girls, you gotta try to be nice to one another
Guys, I'm pretty sure that we can put it back together
And girls, you gotta try to be nice to one another
I don't think we'll get the truth
From kids with stickers on their boots
I know some kids who didn't come back
From the plywood painted black
We gotta try a little harder
We gotta be a little better
We gotta pull it back together
Lyrics submitted by shrodes
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
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.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
Amazing song, I feel this should have been on the CD (instead of Cutters)