"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.
Well I'm scared of my reflection
Is it mine or is it yours?
And I swear I hear the knockin'
But there's no one at the door.
Don't think I'm losing my perspective
Cause I know one thing for sure
They've been watching, they've been listening
Every whisper, every word
[Chorus]
Your sudden movements, sudden movements
Gonna give us all away
No sudden movements, sudden movements
Or they'll blow us all away
Dare I find my information
Who's the black sheep of the herd?
I am the guardian of angels
And they'll get what they deserve
So lock your children in the basement
Keep a rifle by the door
Don't be afraid of my intentions
Cause I'm more afraid of yours
[Chorus:Repeat x2]
Blow our soul away
Blow our soul away
[Chorus:Repeat x2]
Is it mine or is it yours?
And I swear I hear the knockin'
But there's no one at the door.
Don't think I'm losing my perspective
Cause I know one thing for sure
They've been watching, they've been listening
Every whisper, every word
[Chorus]
Your sudden movements, sudden movements
Gonna give us all away
No sudden movements, sudden movements
Or they'll blow us all away
Dare I find my information
Who's the black sheep of the herd?
I am the guardian of angels
And they'll get what they deserve
So lock your children in the basement
Keep a rifle by the door
Don't be afraid of my intentions
Cause I'm more afraid of yours
[Chorus:Repeat x2]
Blow our soul away
Blow our soul away
[Chorus:Repeat x2]
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
The Night We Met
Lord Huron
Lord Huron
This is a hauntingly beautiful song about introspection, specifically about looking back at a relationship that started bad and ended so poorly, that the narrator wants to go back to the very beginning and tell himself to not even travel down that road. I believe that the relationship started poorly because of the lines:
"Take me back to the night we met:When the night was full of terrors: And your eyes were filled with tears: When you had not touched me yet"
So, the first night was not a great start, but the narrator pursued the relationship and eventually both overcame the rough start to fall in love with each other:
"I had all and then most of you"
Like many relationships that turn sour, it was not a quick decline, but a gradual one where the narrator and their partner fall out of love and gradually grow apart
"Some and now none of you"
Losing someone who was once everything in your world, who you could confide in, tell your secrets to, share all the most intimate parts of your life, to being strangers with that person is probably one of the most painful experiences a person can go through. So Painful, the narrator wants to go back in time and tell himself to not even pursue the relationship.
This was the perfect song for "13 Reasons Why"
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."
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 song, to me, could be written from the perspective of someone involved or affected by war and the paranoia it brings on.
For instance: "And I swear I hear the knocking But there's no one at the door Don't think I'm losing my perspective 'Cause I know one thing for sure" This describes paranoia of hearing a 'knock on the door' and being taken away.
"They've been watching, they've been listening Every whisper, every word", along with the chorus may be from the perspective of a population or group of people being spied on and scrutinised, and if they are percieved as doing something wrong, they may be killed "...they'll blow us all away." Having recently read '1984', this song reminds me of the 'Thought Police', 'Thought Crime' and 'Thought Criminals'. I could be very wrong, but this is my perspective, and anyway, this is an amazing song nonetheless.
As explained by Ian himself:
It means he (paranoid man) has taken it upon himself to guard the angels (people he wants to protect ie...his family) and 'they'll' (anyone he thinks would inflict harm upon them) will get what they deserve (with his rifle).
...
He was trying oh-so-hard to put it into words on the band's forums. I love how they randomly post.
correct lyrics (more correct, anyway)
Well, I'm scared of my reflection Is it mine or is it yours? And I swear I hear the knocking But there's no one at the door Don't think I'm losing my perspective 'Cause I know one thing for sure They've been watching, they've been listening Every whisper, every word
[CHORUS] Your sudden movements, sudden movements Gonna give us all away No sudden movements, sudden movements Or they'll blow us all away
Dare I find my information? Who's the black sheep of the herd? I am the guardian of angels And they'll get what they deserve So lock your children in the basement Keep a rifle by the door Don't be afraid of my intentions 'Cause I'm more afraid of yours
[CHORUS]
I think this song is about being paronoid towards the government or something, nuff said.
this might be my favorite on the new album. i love the tone of ben's voice in it.<3
Frontman Ben Kowalewicz explained to Kerrang! May 30, 2009: "This is about being paranoid. It's about a man whose waking hours are oversaturated by the media; the naysayer on the news stations who tell you how awful everything is and what you need to protect yourself. If you're not of a strong mind-set, this kind of stuff can really wear on you. Some people take it more seriously than others and this man in the story thinks his phones are tapped and he's being watched. Keeping rifles at the door, family in the basement, that kind of thing. Survivalists preparing for Armageddon."