"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.
Urban ego war
Urban suburban ego war
It's an ego war
It's a suburban ego war
Urban ego war
Urban suburban ego war
It's an ego war
It's a suburban ego war
One, two
Drinks and friends by the river Thames
It's a suburban ego war
Packet of Benz and a bag of tens
It's a suburban ego war
Heaven, Hell, and drugs to sell
Suburban ego war
You get cussed off the back of a bus
It's a suburban ego war
Owe me dough from time ago
Suburban ego war
Graffiti on the wall
Suburban ego war
Owe me cash for a bit of hash
Suburban ego war
Tags on trains but the fact remains
Suburban ego war
I wanna stay here
For the rest of my days
But as long as I stay here
I want to get paid
One, two
My mate pulled in a local brawl
Suburban ego war
Sold a quarter to his daughter
Now her dad's on an ego war
Angry man on the cold shop floor
Suburban ego war
One, two
Drinks and friends by the river Thames
It's a suburban ego war
Packet of Benz and a bag of tens
It's a suburban ego war
Heaven, Hell, and drugs to sell
Suburban ego war
You get cussed off the back of a bus
It's a suburban ego war
Owe me dough from time ago
Suburban ego war
Graffiti on the wall
Suburban ego war
Owe me cash for a bit of hash
Suburban ego war
Tags on trains but the fact remains
Suburban ego war
Urban ego war
Urban suburban ego war
It's an ego war
It's a suburban ego war
Urban ego war
Urban suburban ego war
It's an ego war
It's a suburban ego war
I wanna stay here
For the rest of my days
And as long as I stay here
I want to get paid
Urban ego war
Urban suburban ego war
It's an ego war
It's a suburban ego war
Urban ego war
Urban suburban ego war
It's an ego war
It's a suburban ego war
I wanna stay here
For the rest of my days
But as long as I stay here
I want to get paid
Urban suburban ego war
It's an ego war
It's a suburban ego war
Urban ego war
Urban suburban ego war
It's an ego war
It's a suburban ego war
One, two
Drinks and friends by the river Thames
It's a suburban ego war
Packet of Benz and a bag of tens
It's a suburban ego war
Heaven, Hell, and drugs to sell
Suburban ego war
You get cussed off the back of a bus
It's a suburban ego war
Owe me dough from time ago
Suburban ego war
Graffiti on the wall
Suburban ego war
Owe me cash for a bit of hash
Suburban ego war
Tags on trains but the fact remains
Suburban ego war
I wanna stay here
For the rest of my days
But as long as I stay here
I want to get paid
One, two
My mate pulled in a local brawl
Suburban ego war
Sold a quarter to his daughter
Now her dad's on an ego war
Angry man on the cold shop floor
Suburban ego war
One, two
Drinks and friends by the river Thames
It's a suburban ego war
Packet of Benz and a bag of tens
It's a suburban ego war
Heaven, Hell, and drugs to sell
Suburban ego war
You get cussed off the back of a bus
It's a suburban ego war
Owe me dough from time ago
Suburban ego war
Graffiti on the wall
Suburban ego war
Owe me cash for a bit of hash
Suburban ego war
Tags on trains but the fact remains
Suburban ego war
Urban ego war
Urban suburban ego war
It's an ego war
It's a suburban ego war
Urban ego war
Urban suburban ego war
It's an ego war
It's a suburban ego war
I wanna stay here
For the rest of my days
And as long as I stay here
I want to get paid
Urban ego war
Urban suburban ego war
It's an ego war
It's a suburban ego war
Urban ego war
Urban suburban ego war
It's an ego war
It's a suburban ego war
I wanna stay here
For the rest of my days
But as long as I stay here
I want to get paid
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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."
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/
This is like, such a good song. Very underrated y'know? Anyways, this is like a song I ALWAYS recommend to people.