"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 know they call my girl the Snake Charmer
Here she comes rising with the yellow dawn
You know I would do nothing to ever harm her
I guess I've loved you for too long
You know they call my girl the Worm Tamer
She cracks lightning like a viper's tongue
She leaves me every night and who can blame her?
I guess that I've loved you for too long
For too long
For too long
For too long
You know, you know they call my girl the Serpent Wrangler
Eating inchworms down by the bill-a-bong
I spent all night trying to untangle her
But I guess I've loved you for too long
For too long
For too long
For too long
You know they call my baby the Mambo Rider
I cry storms of tears til the rising of the dawn
And you know I'm only happy when I'm inside her
I guess that I've just loved you for too long
For too long
For too long
For too long
For too long
For too long
Well my baby calls me the Loch Ness Monster
Two great big humps and then I'm gone
Actually I am the Abominable Snowman
And I guess that I've loved you for too long
Here she comes rising with the yellow dawn
You know I would do nothing to ever harm her
I guess I've loved you for too long
You know they call my girl the Worm Tamer
She cracks lightning like a viper's tongue
She leaves me every night and who can blame her?
I guess that I've loved you for too long
For too long
For too long
For too long
You know, you know they call my girl the Serpent Wrangler
Eating inchworms down by the bill-a-bong
I spent all night trying to untangle her
But I guess I've loved you for too long
For too long
For too long
For too long
You know they call my baby the Mambo Rider
I cry storms of tears til the rising of the dawn
And you know I'm only happy when I'm inside her
I guess that I've just loved you for too long
For too long
For too long
For too long
For too long
For too long
Well my baby calls me the Loch Ness Monster
Two great big humps and then I'm gone
Actually I am the Abominable Snowman
And I guess that I've loved you for too long
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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.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
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.
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.
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.
clever
I think this song is about a (middle-aged) man who feels sexually inadequate. While his woman is a great lover (Snake charmer, worm tamer, serpent wrangler, mambo rider - all pretty sexual images when put in this context), the man cannot keep up with her - which becomes clear in the last verse: "Well my baby calls me the Loch Ness Monster/Two great big humps and then I'm gone"
I agree with you on the general sense of the song, it doesn't necessarily mean sexually inadequate to me though.
This song is like a musicians wet dream. A mischievous dedication of love for a female other, who has totally hypnotised the male counterpart who feels inferior to her.