"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.
A trick that people use to make you think they are smart
Is confidence when actually they're lost in the dark
Only someone with the mind of a child says he'll grow up
Cause headin' down the avalance your life will show up
It's nice to be a victim of what happened too late
I wanna share my food, but you have stolen my plate
Hey now, hey now, go your way now
You tortured little girl
Showing them what love is all about
Where did all the time go?
Everywhere it's gone, gone, gone
You get the point now
You pick your self up off the bar, she's on his arm now
Coz they remind you of the pictures on the wall now
But she was young and I wasn't not even born yet
If you think I know a little more then
the average person on the streets, you aren't correct
Because I'm ignorant as shit, not here to preach man
You know I just wanna have fun, go to the beach man
That's all I am, I'm just a simple guy who talks when
you put a microphone in front of him
You twisted little girl
Showing them what life is all about
Where did all the time go?
Everywhere it's gone
Running laps in a relationship
Going in circles and i just can't wait
Running laps so we can get in shape
Get in shape because we can't escape
Running laps because I'm already late
Really not, I'm in the exact same place
Running laps in your relationship
Running away from the shadows themselves
The world's always amazed at how much cash you made
But not at how you made it, it's just strange
It sounded kinda cool over the phone
It killed your neighbours and their dog and crushed their bones
You tortured little girl
Showing them what laughter's all about
Where did all the wine go?
Every night it's gone
You got it all worked out
Funny little girl
Showing them what pain is all about
Where did all the time go?
Every night it's gone, gone, gone
You're the coolest girl in this whole town
I just wanna parade you around
[sound blurs out]
Is confidence when actually they're lost in the dark
Only someone with the mind of a child says he'll grow up
Cause headin' down the avalance your life will show up
It's nice to be a victim of what happened too late
I wanna share my food, but you have stolen my plate
Hey now, hey now, go your way now
You tortured little girl
Showing them what love is all about
Where did all the time go?
Everywhere it's gone, gone, gone
You get the point now
You pick your self up off the bar, she's on his arm now
Coz they remind you of the pictures on the wall now
But she was young and I wasn't not even born yet
If you think I know a little more then
the average person on the streets, you aren't correct
Because I'm ignorant as shit, not here to preach man
You know I just wanna have fun, go to the beach man
That's all I am, I'm just a simple guy who talks when
you put a microphone in front of him
You twisted little girl
Showing them what life is all about
Where did all the time go?
Everywhere it's gone
Running laps in a relationship
Going in circles and i just can't wait
Running laps so we can get in shape
Get in shape because we can't escape
Running laps because I'm already late
Really not, I'm in the exact same place
Running laps in your relationship
Running away from the shadows themselves
The world's always amazed at how much cash you made
But not at how you made it, it's just strange
It sounded kinda cool over the phone
It killed your neighbours and their dog and crushed their bones
You tortured little girl
Showing them what laughter's all about
Where did all the wine go?
Every night it's gone
You got it all worked out
Funny little girl
Showing them what pain is all about
Where did all the time go?
Every night it's gone, gone, gone
You're the coolest girl in this whole town
I just wanna parade you around
[sound blurs out]
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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."
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/
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
On the lines where it fades out, I'm pretty sure it says:
Put your perfect forehead on my plate We could leave this town without a trace.
@tenfortyonepm I think you're right. No matter how much I want to hear him say something other than "plate" for a second time, that's what I hear too. Thanks for that, it was driving me mad that I couldn't figure out the last word