"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.
I found it right here on the table
That letter you left for me today
Just a handful of scribbled words
And most of it sounds quite absurd
Do you know the feeling
I know the feeling well
To go into the great unknown
Knowing all the doors behind are shut
You did not leave an address so I guess
You had no interest
In my possible reply
Though I've never been a man of words
Right now there is a thing or two
I would really like to say
Do you know the feeling
I know the feeling well
To be hurt but try to hide it
To know the truth but still deny it
To put on a brave face
I could have stood the pain
The tears and the blame
I could have stood those eyes fixed upon me
But what I just can't accept
Is the simple fact
You just quietly went out of here
I know we went from day to day
Trying not to state what was clear
For both of us to see
If it had to come to an end
Then why not do it with
A shred of honesty
Do you know the feeling
I know the feeling well
To always search but never find
To run but still be left behind
To finish second best
I could have stood the pain
The tears and the blame
I could have stood those eyes fixed upon me
But what I just can't accept
Is the simple fact
You just quietly went out of here
How could it ever hurt so bad
Where it used to feel so good
I won't ask you to come back
I won't ask you to stay
But I want you to listen to
What I've got to say
I don't want your apology
I don't need your sympathy
All I want from you is
Just a minute of your time
May I please remind you it was you who said
I was too reserved
Right from the start
And now you slam that door on me
When I was just about to come right in
And open up my heart
Do you know the feeling
I know the feeling well
When the best you give is not enough
To not let good times get rough
To not let it all start again
I could have stood the pain
The tears and the blame
I could have stood those eyes fixed upon me
But what I just can't accept
Is the simple fact
You just quietly went out of here
That letter you left for me today
Just a handful of scribbled words
And most of it sounds quite absurd
Do you know the feeling
I know the feeling well
To go into the great unknown
Knowing all the doors behind are shut
You did not leave an address so I guess
You had no interest
In my possible reply
Though I've never been a man of words
Right now there is a thing or two
I would really like to say
Do you know the feeling
I know the feeling well
To be hurt but try to hide it
To know the truth but still deny it
To put on a brave face
I could have stood the pain
The tears and the blame
I could have stood those eyes fixed upon me
But what I just can't accept
Is the simple fact
You just quietly went out of here
I know we went from day to day
Trying not to state what was clear
For both of us to see
If it had to come to an end
Then why not do it with
A shred of honesty
Do you know the feeling
I know the feeling well
To always search but never find
To run but still be left behind
To finish second best
I could have stood the pain
The tears and the blame
I could have stood those eyes fixed upon me
But what I just can't accept
Is the simple fact
You just quietly went out of here
How could it ever hurt so bad
Where it used to feel so good
I won't ask you to come back
I won't ask you to stay
But I want you to listen to
What I've got to say
I don't want your apology
I don't need your sympathy
All I want from you is
Just a minute of your time
May I please remind you it was you who said
I was too reserved
Right from the start
And now you slam that door on me
When I was just about to come right in
And open up my heart
Do you know the feeling
I know the feeling well
When the best you give is not enough
To not let good times get rough
To not let it all start again
I could have stood the pain
The tears and the blame
I could have stood those eyes fixed upon me
But what I just can't accept
Is the simple fact
You just quietly went out of here
Lyrics submitted by progmetalgod
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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/