"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 golden gun, I should have known
Your diamond rings and your golden throne
My golden heart at the barrel's tip
Just pull that trigger baby,
Blow this whole charade to bits
I'd hate to think that you'd love to hate
My thoughts and actions now, a little too late
Cause you're a killer now, who nothing sates
You're just so goddamned good at it,
You make me think it feels great
And I just wanna hold your hand
I just wanna hear those lies
I just feel so grand
Each and every time you shoot me up inside
I just wanna keep you close
You just wanna blow my mind
I just wanna be your friend to the end
You just wanna live and let die
You double cross my heart, and I
I hope to die, you stick those poison needles in my eyes
I cannot run away, I can't even cry
I'm bleeding while you're kissing me,
You've cut out my will to live, and now I'm paralyzed
And I just gotta hold your hand
I just gotta hear those lies
I just feel so grand
Each and every time you shoot me up inside
I just gotta keep you close
You just gotta blow my mind
I just wanna be your friend, baby
You just gotta live and let die
Your diamond rings and your golden throne
My golden heart at the barrel's tip
Just pull that trigger baby,
Blow this whole charade to bits
I'd hate to think that you'd love to hate
My thoughts and actions now, a little too late
Cause you're a killer now, who nothing sates
You're just so goddamned good at it,
You make me think it feels great
And I just wanna hold your hand
I just wanna hear those lies
I just feel so grand
Each and every time you shoot me up inside
I just wanna keep you close
You just wanna blow my mind
I just wanna be your friend to the end
You just wanna live and let die
You double cross my heart, and I
I hope to die, you stick those poison needles in my eyes
I cannot run away, I can't even cry
I'm bleeding while you're kissing me,
You've cut out my will to live, and now I'm paralyzed
And I just gotta hold your hand
I just gotta hear those lies
I just feel so grand
Each and every time you shoot me up inside
I just gotta keep you close
You just gotta blow my mind
I just wanna be your friend, baby
You just gotta live and let die
Lyrics submitted by a_melancholy_soul
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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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.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
Very James Bondish. Just had the title in mind when I woke up, by the end of the day it was complete. lol