"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.
See you there
Don't know where you come from
Unaware the stare from someone
Don't appear to care that I saw you, and I want you too
What's your name? Because I have to know it
You let me in and begin to show it
We're terrified, because we're heading straight for it, might get it
Your favorite song plays on the background
All alone but you turn it up now
And everyone is rising to meet you, to greet you
Turn around and you're walking toward me
I'm breaking down and you're breathing slowly
Say the word and I will be your man, your man
Say when
And my own two hands will comfort you
Tonight, tonight
Say when
And my own two arms will carry you
Tonight, tonight
Come close and even closer
We bring it in, but we go no further
We separate two ghosts in one mirror, no mirror
Later on, if it turns to chaos
Hurricanes coming all around us
See the crack, pull it back
From the window, you stay low
Say when
And my own two hands will comfort you
Tonight, tonight
Say when
And my own two arms will carry you
Tonight, tonight
Come across you lost and broken
You're coming to, but you're slow in waking
You start to shake
You still haven't spoken, what happened?
They're coming back and you just don't know when
You want to cry but there's nothing coming
They're gonna push until you give in, say when
Now we're here and it turns to chaos
Hurricane coming all around us
Another crack throws you back from the window
You stay low
It all began with the man and country
Every plan turns another century
Around again another nation, fallen
Maybe God can be on both sides of the gun
Never understood why
Some of us never get it so good, so good
Some of this was here before us
All of this will go after us
It never stops until we give in, give in
Say when
And my own two hands will comfort you
Tonight, tonight
Say when
And my own two arms will carry you
Tonight, tonight
Say when
And my own two hands will comfort you
Tonight, tonight.
Don't know where you come from
Unaware the stare from someone
Don't appear to care that I saw you, and I want you too
What's your name? Because I have to know it
You let me in and begin to show it
We're terrified, because we're heading straight for it, might get it
Your favorite song plays on the background
All alone but you turn it up now
And everyone is rising to meet you, to greet you
Turn around and you're walking toward me
I'm breaking down and you're breathing slowly
Say the word and I will be your man, your man
Say when
And my own two hands will comfort you
Tonight, tonight
Say when
And my own two arms will carry you
Tonight, tonight
Come close and even closer
We bring it in, but we go no further
We separate two ghosts in one mirror, no mirror
Later on, if it turns to chaos
Hurricanes coming all around us
See the crack, pull it back
From the window, you stay low
Say when
And my own two hands will comfort you
Tonight, tonight
Say when
And my own two arms will carry you
Tonight, tonight
Come across you lost and broken
You're coming to, but you're slow in waking
You start to shake
You still haven't spoken, what happened?
They're coming back and you just don't know when
You want to cry but there's nothing coming
They're gonna push until you give in, say when
Now we're here and it turns to chaos
Hurricane coming all around us
Another crack throws you back from the window
You stay low
It all began with the man and country
Every plan turns another century
Around again another nation, fallen
Maybe God can be on both sides of the gun
Never understood why
Some of us never get it so good, so good
Some of this was here before us
All of this will go after us
It never stops until we give in, give in
Say when
And my own two hands will comfort you
Tonight, tonight
Say when
And my own two arms will carry you
Tonight, tonight
Say when
And my own two hands will comfort you
Tonight, tonight.
Lyrics submitted by jacksont123, edited by joyceey16, BIRDDUDE830, dippystickk, descole0, JMartinez3, 60_miles_an_hour, darkforce100
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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/
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.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
I also read this interpretation of the lyrics: Maybe God can be on both sides of a coin Never understood why Some of us never get a shoulder, shoulder
Some of this was here before us All the rest will go after us Never stops until we get there, get there
pretty sure the lyrics are:<br /> <br /> maybe god can be on both sides of the gun<br /> never understood why<br /> some of us never get it so good<br /> <br /> some of them less fortunate than us<br /> all the less will go after us<br /> it never stops 'til we give in
I agree with most of what car12meek says it is but if u combine what u 2 are sayin it's<br /> <br /> Maybe god can be on both side of the gun<br /> never understood why<br /> some of us never get it so good, so good<br /> <br /> some of this was here before us<br /> all the rest will go after us <br /> until we give in, give in<br />
made an account to say that this, and never say never were the best songs in their album. So intense, so powerful.