"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.
As processions fade,
New hearts doubt.
But you are Golden and no one questions it.
But who you fake and how you sound,
Asks the best of men
To share your sentiment
I want to be the one to help you find those years
That you've been talking about.
Dreaming of the South
And all those lost goodbyes,
And all those lonely tears,
You never got to cry
It never works out right,
Unless you're one to follow.
Where the silence takes too long,
When the night falls
When the night falls oh so slow,
And caution isn't ours.
When the night falls
When the night falls oh so low,
We may lose control.
I want to be the one to help you find those years
That you've been talking about.
Dreaming of the South
And all those lonely nights,
And all those lost goodbyes,
You never got to sigh.
I want to be the one to help you find those dreams
Because you've been hanging around,
Talking about the South,
And all those balmy nights,
And all those lonely songs,
You never got to write.
And I'll hold your hand as I walk you through that door,
I'll hold your hand as you held my hand as I walk you through the door
New hearts doubt.
But you are Golden and no one questions it.
But who you fake and how you sound,
Asks the best of men
To share your sentiment
I want to be the one to help you find those years
That you've been talking about.
Dreaming of the South
And all those lost goodbyes,
And all those lonely tears,
You never got to cry
It never works out right,
Unless you're one to follow.
Where the silence takes too long,
When the night falls
When the night falls oh so slow,
And caution isn't ours.
When the night falls
When the night falls oh so low,
We may lose control.
I want to be the one to help you find those years
That you've been talking about.
Dreaming of the South
And all those lonely nights,
And all those lost goodbyes,
You never got to sigh.
I want to be the one to help you find those dreams
Because you've been hanging around,
Talking about the South,
And all those balmy nights,
And all those lonely songs,
You never got to write.
And I'll hold your hand as I walk you through that door,
I'll hold your hand as you held my hand as I walk you through the door
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[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.
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,
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.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
this song captures that nervous excitement of new love so well. can't get enough.