"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.
She was so bright and a tragic
Like the dying planets from the universe that came before ours
She was the cemetery that would always scare me
As I walked by it alone in the dark
She was the story I read to the people in bed
Who needed fantasy to sleep through the night
She was the feeling and joy of every girl and boy
When the end of the school year's arrived
Antarctica
I'll take you to the South Pole
Antarctica
When you've got no place to go
Antarctica
I'll take you to the South Pole
Antarctica
She was the sunshine stars
She had my brains and heart
She was the brightest part of this black universe
She was the thorn of trees
Searching for me, a breeze
She was the only thing good in this universe
It was the strangest thing for him
To ever think that one day he was to give himself to her
But for me what was stranger was
The feeling of danger that I felt the moment that it occurred
"Was it healthy or not?"
Was the question I got from every person that I talked to
If she smokes six packs a day
and that's completely insane
Then how can I pretend she gave me no clue?
Antarctica
I'll take you to the South Pole
Antarctica
When you've got no place to go
Antarctica
I'll take you to the South Pole
Antarctica
She was the sunshine stars
She had my brains and heart
She was the brightest part of this black universe
She was the thorn of trees
Searching for me, a breeze
She was the only thing good in this universe
When I'm a hundred and five
And my ashes resides on the mantle of my future son's home
I hope to never regret any moment I spent
Trying to tally up the beauty I've known
Because the truth is I've liked
Every time that we fight
I can't imagine doing anything else
With my time here on Earth
And all around in the dirt
With a woman who is bad for my health
Antarctica
I'll take you to the South Pole
Antarctica
When you've got no place to go
Antarctica
I'll take you to the South Pole
Antarctica
She was the sunshine stars
She had my brains and heart
She was the brightest part of this black universe
She was the thorn of trees
Searching for me, a breeze
She was the only thing good in this universe
Like the dying planets from the universe that came before ours
She was the cemetery that would always scare me
As I walked by it alone in the dark
She was the story I read to the people in bed
Who needed fantasy to sleep through the night
She was the feeling and joy of every girl and boy
When the end of the school year's arrived
Antarctica
I'll take you to the South Pole
Antarctica
When you've got no place to go
Antarctica
I'll take you to the South Pole
Antarctica
She was the sunshine stars
She had my brains and heart
She was the brightest part of this black universe
She was the thorn of trees
Searching for me, a breeze
She was the only thing good in this universe
It was the strangest thing for him
To ever think that one day he was to give himself to her
But for me what was stranger was
The feeling of danger that I felt the moment that it occurred
"Was it healthy or not?"
Was the question I got from every person that I talked to
If she smokes six packs a day
and that's completely insane
Then how can I pretend she gave me no clue?
Antarctica
I'll take you to the South Pole
Antarctica
When you've got no place to go
Antarctica
I'll take you to the South Pole
Antarctica
She was the sunshine stars
She had my brains and heart
She was the brightest part of this black universe
She was the thorn of trees
Searching for me, a breeze
She was the only thing good in this universe
When I'm a hundred and five
And my ashes resides on the mantle of my future son's home
I hope to never regret any moment I spent
Trying to tally up the beauty I've known
Because the truth is I've liked
Every time that we fight
I can't imagine doing anything else
With my time here on Earth
And all around in the dirt
With a woman who is bad for my health
Antarctica
I'll take you to the South Pole
Antarctica
When you've got no place to go
Antarctica
I'll take you to the South Pole
Antarctica
She was the sunshine stars
She had my brains and heart
She was the brightest part of this black universe
She was the thorn of trees
Searching for me, a breeze
She was the only thing good in this universe
Lyrics submitted by NewOxfordAmerican
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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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.
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.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
I think: She was the thorn of trees Searching for me, a breeze
Should be: She was the tall oak tree Such a familiar breeze
I could be wrong though. Other than that there are just a few words missing.