"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 don't know where I'm going
All these feelings overflowing
I'm lost in the dark
I'm falling apart slowly
So slowly, losing conscience
I've lost my direction, direction, direction
Living my life on the grey side
I'm falling apart on the inside
Lost in my own world
Choirs in my head saying I'm better of dead
I try not to listen but they're going on, going on
Turn the lyrics to a song
I'mma live my way
I don't care what you have to say
Same people, same places, same life (Yeah, shit)
Nothing extraordinary
I'mma do what's necessary
Wanna die legendary
But that's hard when your happiness is only temporary
Escape in my music cause that's where I'm save
It's just me and the beat where I feel complete
But so utterly empty such a prepossessing tragedy
Stuck in my mind and the past on rewind I keep falling behind
But that's what happens when you keep your head stuck in the past
I'm lost in the dark
I'm falling apart slowly
So slowly losing conscience
I've lost my direction, direction, direction
I can´t explain what I'm feeling inside
Going on living it feels like I've died
This void in my chest
This demons are hunting me
I never rest
You can only move forward if you can move on
You have to be strong
But I'm weak
They're the wolf, I'm the sheep
Just waiting for someone to break me again
Just waiting for someone to wake me again
Relying on others, an unhealthy habit
The only one I can rely on is myself
And nobody else
Give them your heart
And they'll take it or break it
You just have to make it
If you don't believe in yourself, then tell me who will
If you don't start fighting, you'll never gain skills
It's the way that it is
Life isn't easy and trust me it's never
I don't know where I'm going
All these feelings overflowing
I'm lost in the dark
I'm falling apart slowly
So slowly losing conscience
I've lost my direction, direction, direction
Telling me one thing "smile!"
Cover the pain, don't let them know that your going insane
Don't let them know you don't wanna live and just wanna put a bullet in your brain
It's okay to not be okay
I'm aware of the right but I don't see the light
Waking up late at night
I'm scared of my demons
I just wanna give up I don't wanna fight
Leave me alone
I'll find myself
All these feelings overflowing
I'm lost in the dark
I'm falling apart slowly
So slowly, losing conscience
I've lost my direction, direction, direction
Living my life on the grey side
I'm falling apart on the inside
Lost in my own world
Choirs in my head saying I'm better of dead
I try not to listen but they're going on, going on
Turn the lyrics to a song
I'mma live my way
I don't care what you have to say
Same people, same places, same life (Yeah, shit)
Nothing extraordinary
I'mma do what's necessary
Wanna die legendary
But that's hard when your happiness is only temporary
Escape in my music cause that's where I'm save
It's just me and the beat where I feel complete
But so utterly empty such a prepossessing tragedy
Stuck in my mind and the past on rewind I keep falling behind
But that's what happens when you keep your head stuck in the past
I'm lost in the dark
I'm falling apart slowly
So slowly losing conscience
I've lost my direction, direction, direction
I can´t explain what I'm feeling inside
Going on living it feels like I've died
This void in my chest
This demons are hunting me
I never rest
You can only move forward if you can move on
You have to be strong
But I'm weak
They're the wolf, I'm the sheep
Just waiting for someone to break me again
Just waiting for someone to wake me again
Relying on others, an unhealthy habit
The only one I can rely on is myself
And nobody else
Give them your heart
And they'll take it or break it
You just have to make it
If you don't believe in yourself, then tell me who will
If you don't start fighting, you'll never gain skills
It's the way that it is
Life isn't easy and trust me it's never
I don't know where I'm going
All these feelings overflowing
I'm lost in the dark
I'm falling apart slowly
So slowly losing conscience
I've lost my direction, direction, direction
Telling me one thing "smile!"
Cover the pain, don't let them know that your going insane
Don't let them know you don't wanna live and just wanna put a bullet in your brain
It's okay to not be okay
I'm aware of the right but I don't see the light
Waking up late at night
I'm scared of my demons
I just wanna give up I don't wanna fight
Leave me alone
I'll find myself
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
lost Lyrics as written by Nicole Baum
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'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/
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.