"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.
You ask me where I go tonight, I go back to today last year.
when we knew how to make each other happier, now there's hope with everything.
It's hard enough to feel the world as it is, and hold on anything.
Without these quiet times you've brought 'round here.
I'm gonna have to run away, I'm sure that I belong some other place.
I've seen another side of all, I've seen it keeps me wondering where my family is.
Its hard enough to see the world as it is, and hold on anything.
Without these quiet times coming 'round here.
Now I miss you,
Now I want you,
But I can't have you,
Even when you're here
I suppose I have to take you with me, broken mind I'd rather leave you here.
To forget everything you've seen and known, erase every idea.
And you walk up in the street, and hold my hand and smile.
Well I won't be taken in, 'cause I know how it turns out.
And it takes me back to these quiet times coming 'round here.
Now I miss you,
Now I want you,
You're not coming back,
And I need you,
But I can't have you,
Even when you're here
Now I miss you,
Now I want you,
You're not coming back,
And I need you,
But I can't have you,
Even when you're here.
when we knew how to make each other happier, now there's hope with everything.
It's hard enough to feel the world as it is, and hold on anything.
Without these quiet times you've brought 'round here.
I'm gonna have to run away, I'm sure that I belong some other place.
I've seen another side of all, I've seen it keeps me wondering where my family is.
Its hard enough to see the world as it is, and hold on anything.
Without these quiet times coming 'round here.
Now I miss you,
Now I want you,
But I can't have you,
Even when you're here
I suppose I have to take you with me, broken mind I'd rather leave you here.
To forget everything you've seen and known, erase every idea.
And you walk up in the street, and hold my hand and smile.
Well I won't be taken in, 'cause I know how it turns out.
And it takes me back to these quiet times coming 'round here.
Now I miss you,
Now I want you,
You're not coming back,
And I need you,
But I can't have you,
Even when you're here
Now I miss you,
Now I want you,
You're not coming back,
And I need you,
But I can't have you,
Even when you're here.
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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.
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/
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.
I think her lover is depressed and withdrawn. She loves him but she has given up hope that they'll be happy again together.