"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.
Do I make you feel like Christmas time?
Put me in a party dress one time
Love me till I see the sunshine
Say you'll never leave me
Say you'll never leave me
Who has the face like smarty does?
Who has the voice like smarty does?
Who has the choice like smarty does?
Nobody, nobody
Who has the face like smarty does?
Who has the voice like smarty does?
Nobody
Who has the choice like smarty does?
Nobody, nobody
Say I make you feel like christmas time
Say I make you feel like christmas time
Tell me that I feel like christmas time
Put me in a party dress one time
Baby, if you love me you'll call me a bunny
Tell me I'm just a baby, honey
Beat me and tell me no one will love me
Better than you do
Better than you do
Dance me all around the room
Dance me around the room
Keep out the stars, turn out the lights
This little world is yours tonight
Dance me all around the room
Say you'll never leave me
Who has the face like smarty does?
Who has the voice like smarty does?
Who has the choice like smarty does?
Nobody, nobody
Who has the face like smarty does?
Who has the voice like smarty does?
Nobody
Who has the choice like smarty does?
Nobody, nobody
Say I make you feel like
Like you did, like you did when you were thirteen
Say I make you feel like
When you were the dirty heavy metal king
Say I make you feel alright, alright, alright
Kissing me till I see the sunshine
Kissing me till I see the sunshine
Keep out the stars, turn out the lights
This little world is yours tonight
Is yours tonight
This little world is yours tonight
Say you'll never leave me
Say you'll never leave me
Who has the face like smarty does?
Who has the voice like smarty does?
Who has the choice like smarty does?
Nobody, nobody
Who has the face like smarty does?
Who has the voice like smarty does?
Nobody
Who has the choice like smarty does?
Nobody, nobody
Nobody, nobody
Nobody, nobody
Put me in a party dress one time
Love me till I see the sunshine
Say you'll never leave me
Say you'll never leave me
Who has the face like smarty does?
Who has the voice like smarty does?
Who has the choice like smarty does?
Nobody, nobody
Who has the face like smarty does?
Who has the voice like smarty does?
Nobody
Who has the choice like smarty does?
Nobody, nobody
Say I make you feel like christmas time
Say I make you feel like christmas time
Tell me that I feel like christmas time
Put me in a party dress one time
Baby, if you love me you'll call me a bunny
Tell me I'm just a baby, honey
Beat me and tell me no one will love me
Better than you do
Better than you do
Dance me all around the room
Dance me around the room
Keep out the stars, turn out the lights
This little world is yours tonight
Dance me all around the room
Say you'll never leave me
Who has the face like smarty does?
Who has the voice like smarty does?
Who has the choice like smarty does?
Nobody, nobody
Who has the face like smarty does?
Who has the voice like smarty does?
Nobody
Who has the choice like smarty does?
Nobody, nobody
Say I make you feel like
Like you did, like you did when you were thirteen
Say I make you feel like
When you were the dirty heavy metal king
Say I make you feel alright, alright, alright
Kissing me till I see the sunshine
Kissing me till I see the sunshine
Keep out the stars, turn out the lights
This little world is yours tonight
Is yours tonight
This little world is yours tonight
Say you'll never leave me
Say you'll never leave me
Who has the face like smarty does?
Who has the voice like smarty does?
Who has the choice like smarty does?
Nobody, nobody
Who has the face like smarty does?
Who has the voice like smarty does?
Nobody
Who has the choice like smarty does?
Nobody, nobody
Nobody, nobody
Nobody, nobody
Lyrics submitted by mister care-too-much, edited by WritesToLive
Smarty Lyrics as written by David Martin Kahne Elizabeth Grant
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
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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.
Cajun Girl
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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.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
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”
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.
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
I agree, ilikeboats, it's definitely "beat me."
I would love to see some fan interpretations of this! This song is hypnotic. I've gone through phases verging on addiction to it. (It's been like that with a lot of early Lana for me, though.)
The verses are quite clearly about an abusive relationship in which Lana finds masochistic comfort. Because she is subservient to him in their relationship she has become dependent on him, helpless without him.
But does anyone else think that the refrain ("Who has a face like....) is meant to be from the man's point of view? He refers to himself as "Smarty" to assert that he knows best and imply that Lana is stupid, or unable to make the informed decisions "Smarty" can. Perhaps Lana is thinking of leaving the deadly relationship, but he convinces her that "Smarty" knows best - and no one else has a "face" or "voice" like Smarty does. Finally, "Smarty" deviously turns it around on Lana - "Who has a choice like Smarty does?" He implies that HE has the power to leave in the relationship, not Lana. And that is why she stays/stayed with him.
Perhaps writing this song is how she gained great enough insight into the troubled relationship to realize it was Smarty who needed HER; She did not need him. I like to think that this song has helped at least one victim in an abusive relationship.... Lana has the courage to speak the truth when it comes to controversy, and that is what it takes to save lives.
Fantastic song with a great groove. I had a gig with Lizzy Grant in Soho or the Village a few years ago. I love what she does with her voice - so expressive!
Lance lancevallis.com
Maybe it's just me, but isn't it "beat me and tell me that no one will love me", not "meet me"?
This was always one of my favourite unreleased Lana songs. I feel like her whole theme from the whole Born to Die and pre-Born to Die era is really present in this song; the dark romantic connotations, and this idea of a man in your life who you regard as the absolute pinnacle of perfection and who you can't get over - just total adoration, basically. And letting yourself be used in any sense by them because no one could ever compare to them.