"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.
Aye yo Spice, all these rich motherfuckers keep going to
The record stores buyin' these fake ass raps,
You know what I'm sayin'?
Yeah, yeah, I hear you byte all that fake shit
Niggas need to get up on the hardcore shit,
You know what I'm sayin'?
Ay, man, you still got the Ski mask and them gats
I'm ready to jack these motherfuckers, I'm ready to break this up
Yeah, fuck that, let's handle that business
Huh, yeah, we gotta flow sumptin' funky
Check it, Spice 1 is fuckin' it up upon the flow
And if you got the static motherfucker we can go
My homie Ant Banks got the bass line thumpin'
Stop a nigga heart 'cause my mouth is a gauge pumpin'
Spice is on the one and Ant is on the two
But y'all don't kick it yet because a nigga just ain't trough
Comin' hard as fuck I be like acin' and I'm icin'
Steppin' into the ring fuckin' 'em up like Michael Tyson
Gimme all your cash 'cause I'm about to blast
And bust 50 bullets in your motherfuckin' ass
Niggas think I'm crazy 'cause I'm poppin' off at the mouth
And plus I had the chopper pointed at your damned house
My name is Spice 1, I be a vicious motherfucker
Get you for a key and leave you lyin' in the gutter
And if you think its possible to harm 'em
I be stickin' my foot up in your ass like it was ?
So nigga brake yourself and buy the motherfuckin' tape
The beat'll fuck your ears like a statutory rape
Murderous nigga on the gangsta tip
So MC Ant cover me while I reload the motherfuckin' clip
And by the way if you want your life don't take yourself
Buy the dope ass record and brake yourself
Huh, yeah, you know what I'm sayin'?
Got MC Ant in the motherfuckin' house
He came to break these motherfuckers
Load the clip and handle your business, partner
A 'n' T is like a motherfuckin' pro in it
Niggas didn't know that I kick it funky and flow with it
Straight up out the O A K L A 'n' D
Coolin' all the bitches when I be on the late night tweak
Who's that on the corner be stoppin' and starin' to makin' 'em stutter
Was that MC Ant, the rip-a-rappin' motherfucker
187 with the 211 and progress
So get out the shit break bitch because I'll just
Pistol whip your ass and slam the tape
I pop if you wanna brake and dump you off in the lake
Run if you dumb dick I'm quick to pop the clip
Slip if you wanna slip, I'm tough and won't even trip
Don't move and you won't get hurt
Take off your motherfuckin' clothes and put your face in the dirt
This is a genuine gank move, bitch
So give me your money and your jewels and make me rich
Another nigga might play it on a cool tip
But Ant and Spice won't be takin' no bullshit
Everything nigga, even your gold tooth
I knock the motherfucker lose if you want prove
'Cause I'm down for the mail
And if it's worth the jail I'm out on bail
If it ain't given I'll straight up take your wealth
Tell a motherfucker straight up brake yourself
Yeah, and that's how we run that shit on this motherfuckin' stage
Right now, you know what I'm sayin'?
Ay, Spice, I want you to step to 'em and kick it one more time
With that gangsta shit
It's like a G O, and I kick in a bankin' a motherfucker
So stop at the red light and I just wanted a battle
Another rich ass nigga on a ego tip
Give up the Rolex watch ? bitch
And have ya both in the back of a black hearse
Bitch, if you want your life give me your fuckin' purse
This is a Halloween trick or treat
But if you trick you get beat shut up left dead in the street
'Cause 187 is runnin' shit up in the house
Down to shoot you in your motherfuckin' mouth
And MC Ant of O A K L A 'n' D
Is with the faculty and S P I see E
So put the goodies inside the bag
This ain't a lolly gag stick in my clip and raise him up out his jag
I let the motherfuckin' 9 click
Comin' at our dome kickin' funky gangsta shit
So nigga empty your pocket, pull out your bank roll
Try to be a hero and let us nut up your ass hole
'Cause Arnold Schwarzenegger just play parts
But I specialize in stoppin' nigga's hearts
187 is sendin' niggas to ghetto heaven
We beat the funk out your eardrums and keep it revvin'
So don't pound too hard and fuck up your health
And by the way drop the Abraham Lincolns and brake yourself
Yeah
Motherfucker you wanna spent that money on that bass hip
You wanna get the bomb, baby
Yeah, nigga brake yourself and get with the real shit
Yeah, nigga, MC Ant and Spice in the house
With Ant Banks on the tracks
Yeah, Ant Banks in the motherfuckin' house
187 motherfucker
Goin' out to all you motherfuckers
We got the dope shit
Bustin' caps in your motherfuckin' eardrums
Straight jackin' it, I'm out
The record stores buyin' these fake ass raps,
You know what I'm sayin'?
Yeah, yeah, I hear you byte all that fake shit
Niggas need to get up on the hardcore shit,
You know what I'm sayin'?
Ay, man, you still got the Ski mask and them gats
I'm ready to jack these motherfuckers, I'm ready to break this up
Yeah, fuck that, let's handle that business
Huh, yeah, we gotta flow sumptin' funky
Check it, Spice 1 is fuckin' it up upon the flow
And if you got the static motherfucker we can go
My homie Ant Banks got the bass line thumpin'
Stop a nigga heart 'cause my mouth is a gauge pumpin'
Spice is on the one and Ant is on the two
But y'all don't kick it yet because a nigga just ain't trough
Comin' hard as fuck I be like acin' and I'm icin'
Steppin' into the ring fuckin' 'em up like Michael Tyson
Gimme all your cash 'cause I'm about to blast
And bust 50 bullets in your motherfuckin' ass
Niggas think I'm crazy 'cause I'm poppin' off at the mouth
And plus I had the chopper pointed at your damned house
My name is Spice 1, I be a vicious motherfucker
Get you for a key and leave you lyin' in the gutter
And if you think its possible to harm 'em
I be stickin' my foot up in your ass like it was ?
So nigga brake yourself and buy the motherfuckin' tape
The beat'll fuck your ears like a statutory rape
Murderous nigga on the gangsta tip
So MC Ant cover me while I reload the motherfuckin' clip
And by the way if you want your life don't take yourself
Buy the dope ass record and brake yourself
Huh, yeah, you know what I'm sayin'?
Got MC Ant in the motherfuckin' house
He came to break these motherfuckers
Load the clip and handle your business, partner
A 'n' T is like a motherfuckin' pro in it
Niggas didn't know that I kick it funky and flow with it
Straight up out the O A K L A 'n' D
Coolin' all the bitches when I be on the late night tweak
Who's that on the corner be stoppin' and starin' to makin' 'em stutter
Was that MC Ant, the rip-a-rappin' motherfucker
187 with the 211 and progress
So get out the shit break bitch because I'll just
Pistol whip your ass and slam the tape
I pop if you wanna brake and dump you off in the lake
Run if you dumb dick I'm quick to pop the clip
Slip if you wanna slip, I'm tough and won't even trip
Don't move and you won't get hurt
Take off your motherfuckin' clothes and put your face in the dirt
This is a genuine gank move, bitch
So give me your money and your jewels and make me rich
Another nigga might play it on a cool tip
But Ant and Spice won't be takin' no bullshit
Everything nigga, even your gold tooth
I knock the motherfucker lose if you want prove
'Cause I'm down for the mail
And if it's worth the jail I'm out on bail
If it ain't given I'll straight up take your wealth
Tell a motherfucker straight up brake yourself
Yeah, and that's how we run that shit on this motherfuckin' stage
Right now, you know what I'm sayin'?
Ay, Spice, I want you to step to 'em and kick it one more time
With that gangsta shit
It's like a G O, and I kick in a bankin' a motherfucker
So stop at the red light and I just wanted a battle
Another rich ass nigga on a ego tip
Give up the Rolex watch ? bitch
And have ya both in the back of a black hearse
Bitch, if you want your life give me your fuckin' purse
This is a Halloween trick or treat
But if you trick you get beat shut up left dead in the street
'Cause 187 is runnin' shit up in the house
Down to shoot you in your motherfuckin' mouth
And MC Ant of O A K L A 'n' D
Is with the faculty and S P I see E
So put the goodies inside the bag
This ain't a lolly gag stick in my clip and raise him up out his jag
I let the motherfuckin' 9 click
Comin' at our dome kickin' funky gangsta shit
So nigga empty your pocket, pull out your bank roll
Try to be a hero and let us nut up your ass hole
'Cause Arnold Schwarzenegger just play parts
But I specialize in stoppin' nigga's hearts
187 is sendin' niggas to ghetto heaven
We beat the funk out your eardrums and keep it revvin'
So don't pound too hard and fuck up your health
And by the way drop the Abraham Lincolns and brake yourself
Yeah
Motherfucker you wanna spent that money on that bass hip
You wanna get the bomb, baby
Yeah, nigga brake yourself and get with the real shit
Yeah, nigga, MC Ant and Spice in the house
With Ant Banks on the tracks
Yeah, Ant Banks in the motherfuckin' house
187 motherfucker
Goin' out to all you motherfuckers
We got the dope shit
Bustin' caps in your motherfuckin' eardrums
Straight jackin' it, I'm out
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Break Yourself Lyrics as written by Robert Lee Green Jr.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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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.
Mountain Song
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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 Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
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.
No Surprises
Radiohead
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Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.