"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.
And I don't believe in double vision
And I don't think that two heads are better than one
All I can see is Ouroboros
When my pet snakes are sizing me up
And if you don't believe in destiny,
Then take what you're given
Oh, you and I got caught between magic and business
We walked in on you while you were polishing your knives
(While your eyes were turning green)
Sleeping in a twin bed with a serpent by your side
(Are you trying to compete with me?)
Talk a lot of shit but you would never start a fight
(Fantasize about killing me)
God it makes me queasy when you smile
(Through your jealousy)
And I don't believe in sucking your way to the top
Fingers crossed, you're flipping me off
No, I don't need your supervision
I'll sink this ship if I want
And if you don't believe in chemistry,
Then what were we doing?
Oh, you and I had everything
From rebirth to ruin
Well, every time you come around I have to run and hide
(And your eyes, are they bleeding?)
I get claustrophobic even when I am outside
(Are you trying to put a hex on me?)
I thought we were brothers, man I thought that we were tight
(But your bite is so evil)
Sucking out the venom of your bite
(As you poison me)
Hey, dad. Hello?
And I don't believe that paradise is lost
I say this with my fingers crossed
And if you don't believe in prophecy
Decide when it's finished
Oh, you and I tried everything
From heroin to Guinness
2009 it was a bastard of a year
(Lalala, pass the joint to me)
I cannot get stoned no more I only get the fear
(These good times, they are killin' me)
We can have it out or we can have another beer
(I could lie so we're even)
All the best of luck with your career
And I don't think that two heads are better than one
All I can see is Ouroboros
When my pet snakes are sizing me up
And if you don't believe in destiny,
Then take what you're given
Oh, you and I got caught between magic and business
We walked in on you while you were polishing your knives
(While your eyes were turning green)
Sleeping in a twin bed with a serpent by your side
(Are you trying to compete with me?)
Talk a lot of shit but you would never start a fight
(Fantasize about killing me)
God it makes me queasy when you smile
(Through your jealousy)
And I don't believe in sucking your way to the top
Fingers crossed, you're flipping me off
No, I don't need your supervision
I'll sink this ship if I want
And if you don't believe in chemistry,
Then what were we doing?
Oh, you and I had everything
From rebirth to ruin
Well, every time you come around I have to run and hide
(And your eyes, are they bleeding?)
I get claustrophobic even when I am outside
(Are you trying to put a hex on me?)
I thought we were brothers, man I thought that we were tight
(But your bite is so evil)
Sucking out the venom of your bite
(As you poison me)
Hey, dad. Hello?
And I don't believe that paradise is lost
I say this with my fingers crossed
And if you don't believe in prophecy
Decide when it's finished
Oh, you and I tried everything
From heroin to Guinness
2009 it was a bastard of a year
(Lalala, pass the joint to me)
I cannot get stoned no more I only get the fear
(These good times, they are killin' me)
We can have it out or we can have another beer
(I could lie so we're even)
All the best of luck with your career
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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Silent Planet
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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
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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,
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Wu-Tang Clan
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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.
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
This song is sung directly at blake sennett of the elected. Jenny and Blake were both members of rilo kiley. dont get your hopes up for a reunion. Basically see the lyrics, see their careers now go listen to blakes new song go for the throat directly stated at Jenny lewis for abandoning her band for her solo career. it doesn't help that shes flashes her new hubby jonathan off in front of the world, you know jenny and blake dated right? ;] i sound like e hollywood news, anyways it all makes sense to me now.
"All the best of luck with your career"
"Are you trying to COMPETE WITH me?"