"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.
Don't wake up, won't wake up, can't wake up,
No, don't wake me up
Don't wake up, won't wake up, can't wake up,
No, don't wake me up
It's the early morn
Lights flick on
Sleepy eyes peek through the blinds at something wrong
Motionless remains the mess
Shame, such a beautiful, beautiful young life
By the time I'm dreaming
And you've crept out on me sleeping
I'm busy in the blissful unaware
By the time I'm dreaming
And you've crept out on me sleeping
Tell me how am I supposed to care
Don't wake up, won't wake up, can't wake up,
No, don't wake me up
Don't wake up, won't wake up, can't wake up,
No, don't wake me up
A trail of clothes two years old
Why did you have to go and leave all this stuff behind
Wasn't I allowed three strikes and out
No, but you said I could, said I could just one night
By the time I'm dreaming
And you've crept out on me sleeping
I'm busy in the blissful unaware
By the time I'm dreaming
And you've crept out on me sleeping
Tell me how am I supposed to care
If I had let you go, let you go (sounds like Would)
Would this be different, different
Now I'll never know never know
I didn't get the chance damn you
If I let had you go, let you go
Would this be different, different
Now I'll never know never know
I didn't get the chance damn you
And by the time I'm dreaming
And you've crept out on me sleeping
I'm busy in the blissful unaware
And by the time I'm dreaming
And you've crept out on me sleeping
Tell me how am I supposed to care
Don't wake up, won't wake up, can't wake up,
No, don't wake me up
Don't wake up, won't wake up, can't wake up,
No, don't wake me up
Don't wake up, won't wake up, can't wake up,
No, don't wake me up
Don't wake up, won't wake up, can't wake up,
No, don't wake me up
Don't wake up, won't wake up, can't wake up
No, don't wake me up
Don't wake up, won't wake up, can't wake up,
No, don't wake me up
It's the early morn
Lights flick on
Sleepy eyes peek through the blinds at something wrong
Motionless remains the mess
Shame, such a beautiful, beautiful young life
By the time I'm dreaming
And you've crept out on me sleeping
I'm busy in the blissful unaware
By the time I'm dreaming
And you've crept out on me sleeping
Tell me how am I supposed to care
Don't wake up, won't wake up, can't wake up,
No, don't wake me up
Don't wake up, won't wake up, can't wake up,
No, don't wake me up
A trail of clothes two years old
Why did you have to go and leave all this stuff behind
Wasn't I allowed three strikes and out
No, but you said I could, said I could just one night
By the time I'm dreaming
And you've crept out on me sleeping
I'm busy in the blissful unaware
By the time I'm dreaming
And you've crept out on me sleeping
Tell me how am I supposed to care
If I had let you go, let you go (sounds like Would)
Would this be different, different
Now I'll never know never know
I didn't get the chance damn you
If I let had you go, let you go
Would this be different, different
Now I'll never know never know
I didn't get the chance damn you
And by the time I'm dreaming
And you've crept out on me sleeping
I'm busy in the blissful unaware
And by the time I'm dreaming
And you've crept out on me sleeping
Tell me how am I supposed to care
Don't wake up, won't wake up, can't wake up,
No, don't wake me up
Don't wake up, won't wake up, can't wake up,
No, don't wake me up
Don't wake up, won't wake up, can't wake up,
No, don't wake me up
Don't wake up, won't wake up, can't wake up,
No, don't wake me up
Don't wake up, won't wake up, can't wake up
Lyrics submitted by DiscreetThinker
By the Time Lyrics as written by Michael Holbrook Penniman Imogen Jennifer Jane Heap
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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Holiday
Bee Gees
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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."
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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/
At first I thought that it was more along the lines of a lover leaving in the middle of the night.
But I do agree that the death of a loved one makes more sense now.
"Motionless remains the mess Shame, such a beautiful, beautiful young life"