"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.
You see a mask from your window at night
So you wake and you go outside
And you put it on
And they treat you in a different way
But you can't understand what they say
After you've put it on
So a change is never an end
Cause this is happening all over again
And it's been days since I left
On this ship of promises
Another day, another denial
Every longing's up on trial
So you learn to put it on
As the captain calls everyone in
To the dance hall and the night begins
You have to put it on
All these visions of a welcoming party, pretty party
Have been lost, cause it's the same since I left
On this ship of promises
All the churches I remember well
Clocking in and out to the sound of the bell
We just put it on
It takes you in, it scrubs you clean, it sanitizes every dream
And you put it on
You just put it on
But I'll meet you in between
What I say and what I mean
And we will make our own mess
On this ship of promises
Cause it's the same since we left
On this ship of promises
We just could not care less
On this ship of promises
Don't look back
So you wake and you go outside
And you put it on
And they treat you in a different way
But you can't understand what they say
After you've put it on
So a change is never an end
Cause this is happening all over again
And it's been days since I left
On this ship of promises
Another day, another denial
Every longing's up on trial
So you learn to put it on
As the captain calls everyone in
To the dance hall and the night begins
You have to put it on
All these visions of a welcoming party, pretty party
Have been lost, cause it's the same since I left
On this ship of promises
All the churches I remember well
Clocking in and out to the sound of the bell
We just put it on
It takes you in, it scrubs you clean, it sanitizes every dream
And you put it on
You just put it on
But I'll meet you in between
What I say and what I mean
And we will make our own mess
On this ship of promises
Cause it's the same since we left
On this ship of promises
We just could not care less
On this ship of promises
Don't look back
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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/
I just see it like when you get into a relationship you make all kinds of promises to love one another for ever but things dont always work out like that... Also the stuff about the church really refers to ireland where we would have to go to church when the bell rang and how the church takes you in cleans you up makes your dreams all good and wholesome.... But we would just put up with it, i love this song so much!!