"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.
Mom bought us lemonade
On a coca-cola tray
Ice rattlin' in plastic glasses
We'd see who could drink the fastest
In a split second we were gone
Racin' cross the fresh cut lawn
And we were runnin' barefoot in the grass
Barefoot in the grass
When I was twelve I started likin' boys
She was still playin' with her toys
I pointed out that she was only nine
I didn't need her taggin' behind
Then I would jump on my red bicycle
I'd look back, I'd get tickled
She was runnin' barefoot in the grass
Barefoot in the grass
It brings a smile to my face
Seein' her, no shoes in a foot race
Runnin' as fast as she can
Wavin' her hands and calling out my name
Little sister
Oh I wonder if she knows how bad I miss her
I remember being so confused
When mom and daddy broke the news
I never even saw her cry
Though I could tell she was hurtin' inside
But now I'm sure she has a full head of hair
And I know that somewhere up there
She's runnin' barefoot in the grass
Barefoot in the grass
It brings a smile to my face
Seein' her, no shoes in a foot race
Runnin' as fast as she can
Wavin' her hands and calling out my name
Little sister
Oh I wonder if she knows how bad I miss her
Mom brought us lemonade
On a coca-cola tray
Ice rattlin' in plastic glasses
We'd see who could drink the fastest
On a coca-cola tray
Ice rattlin' in plastic glasses
We'd see who could drink the fastest
In a split second we were gone
Racin' cross the fresh cut lawn
And we were runnin' barefoot in the grass
Barefoot in the grass
When I was twelve I started likin' boys
She was still playin' with her toys
I pointed out that she was only nine
I didn't need her taggin' behind
Then I would jump on my red bicycle
I'd look back, I'd get tickled
She was runnin' barefoot in the grass
Barefoot in the grass
It brings a smile to my face
Seein' her, no shoes in a foot race
Runnin' as fast as she can
Wavin' her hands and calling out my name
Little sister
Oh I wonder if she knows how bad I miss her
I remember being so confused
When mom and daddy broke the news
I never even saw her cry
Though I could tell she was hurtin' inside
But now I'm sure she has a full head of hair
And I know that somewhere up there
She's runnin' barefoot in the grass
Barefoot in the grass
It brings a smile to my face
Seein' her, no shoes in a foot race
Runnin' as fast as she can
Wavin' her hands and calling out my name
Little sister
Oh I wonder if she knows how bad I miss her
Mom brought us lemonade
On a coca-cola tray
Ice rattlin' in plastic glasses
We'd see who could drink the fastest
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Barefoot in the Grass Lyrics as written by Shaye Smith Ken Harrell
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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Silent Planet
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Just A Little Lovin'
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"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Page
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