"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.
I have my mother's dreams
I have my father's eyes
You can't take that from me
Just go ahead and try
The crescent city sleeps
While giants in the sky
Preparing to unleash
Let loose a mighty cry
Can nobody save us?
Will anyone try?
The bayou is burning
The cypress has died
And all along they're saying
Help is on the way (They said they said)
Help is on the way (They said they said)
One by land, two by sea, right there in front of me
Help is on the way
Five thousand feet below
As black smoke engulfs the sky
The ocean floor explodes
Eleven mothers cry
My bones all resonate
A burning lullaby
You can't take that from me
Just go ahead and try
She says that's a shoreline
With hands in the air
Her words pierce the dark night
Does anyone care?
And all along can say it
Help is on the way (They said they said)
Help is on the way (They said they said)
Hold my hand, to help see, right there in front of me
Help is on the way
Right here
Right here
Right here
Right here
Right here
Right here
Choking on the black gold
Upon which we here rely
We keep axes in the attic
To see cameras in the sky
Help is on the way (They said they said)
Help is on the way (They said they said)
We were told, just to sit tight
'Cause somebody will soon arrive
Help is on the way
They never came
They never came
Help is on the way (They said they said)
Help is on the way (They said they said)
One by land, two by sea, right there in front of me
Help is on the way
On the way
I have my father's eyes
You can't take that from me
Just go ahead and try
The crescent city sleeps
While giants in the sky
Preparing to unleash
Let loose a mighty cry
Can nobody save us?
Will anyone try?
The bayou is burning
The cypress has died
And all along they're saying
Help is on the way (They said they said)
Help is on the way (They said they said)
One by land, two by sea, right there in front of me
Help is on the way
Five thousand feet below
As black smoke engulfs the sky
The ocean floor explodes
Eleven mothers cry
My bones all resonate
A burning lullaby
You can't take that from me
Just go ahead and try
She says that's a shoreline
With hands in the air
Her words pierce the dark night
Does anyone care?
And all along can say it
Help is on the way (They said they said)
Help is on the way (They said they said)
Hold my hand, to help see, right there in front of me
Help is on the way
Right here
Right here
Right here
Right here
Right here
Right here
Choking on the black gold
Upon which we here rely
We keep axes in the attic
To see cameras in the sky
Help is on the way (They said they said)
Help is on the way (They said they said)
We were told, just to sit tight
'Cause somebody will soon arrive
Help is on the way
They never came
They never came
Help is on the way (They said they said)
Help is on the way (They said they said)
One by land, two by sea, right there in front of me
Help is on the way
On the way
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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Little Feat
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Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
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The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
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“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
"the ocean floor explodes 11 mothers cry"
For those unaware, 11 people died when the oil rig exploded in the gulf. Hence this line.