"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.
It is time to go, march us prisoners off
I accept the agony applause
Brave as I am
An insane dance at the brink of death
In your circus of the obscene
Far away from my home, caged behind rusty bars
Beaten and mortified your shouting and cheering
Would forever fall silent
You would be ashamed of clapping your hands
I accept the agony applause
Brave as I am
An insane dance at the brink of death
In your circus of the obscene
Dear spectators I'm coming from the boondocks
To your wilderness of mirrors
Pretending to be dangerous and unpredictable
But look into my eyes
And all you will see
Is frustration and fear
Disappointment about man
Creation's crowning glory
But now it's time to go once again
March us prisoners off, rush to the trucks
Cause the next town is waiting for our show
Let our agony and torment entertain you
I accept the agony applause
Brave as I am
An insane dance at the brink of death
In your circus of the obscene
I accept the agony applause
Brave as I am
An insane dance at the brink of death
In your circus of the obscene
Far away from my home, caged behind rusty bars
Beaten and mortified your shouting and cheering
Would forever fall silent
You would be ashamed of clapping your hands
I accept the agony applause
Brave as I am
An insane dance at the brink of death
In your circus of the obscene
Dear spectators I'm coming from the boondocks
To your wilderness of mirrors
Pretending to be dangerous and unpredictable
But look into my eyes
And all you will see
Is frustration and fear
Disappointment about man
Creation's crowning glory
But now it's time to go once again
March us prisoners off, rush to the trucks
Cause the next town is waiting for our show
Let our agony and torment entertain you
I accept the agony applause
Brave as I am
An insane dance at the brink of death
In your circus of the obscene
Lyrics submitted by HystericRomance
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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/