"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 you do garage music mate?
You got any of that Urban?
(Urban, urban, urban)
House, do you do Garage?
Ga-ga-ga-garage
Wot do you call it?
Garage?
Wot do you call it?
Garage?
Garage
Wot do you call it?
Urban?
Wot do you call it?
Urban?
Urban
Wot do you call it?
2step?
Wot do you call it?
2step?
2step
Tell us wot you call it
Garage I don't care about garage
Listen to this, it don't sound like garage
Who told you that I make garage?
Wiley Kat'z got his own styles not garage
Make it in the studio but not in the garage
Here in London there's a sound called garage
But this is my sound, it sure ain't garage
I heard they don't like me in garage
Cause I use their scene but make my own sound
The Eskimo sound is mine recognize this
It's mine, you can't claim what's mine
It's my time to bait you up
I don't hate you but some of you have got a problem
I'm puttin' you outta business why is that a problem
Wot's your problem?
Wot the heck my name is problem, remember
Wot do you call it garage?
(Wot do you call it garage?)
Wot do you call it urban?
(Wot do you call it urban?)
Wot do you call it 2step?
(Wot do you call it 2step?)
Wot do you call it, tell us what you call it then
Why do that think I'm stupid
I got brains I could never be stupid
You could never use my name to make your raves 'n' jam
I won't turn up, I'll stay at home with my gyal 'n' jam
Can't threaten me with that bad man talk I'm not scared sorry man
I've seen too much I don't give a monkeys
Swing from tree to tree just like monkeys
Who influenced me to be funky
Who influenced me to make Eski beat
I've made Eski gyals 'n' Eski boys
Movin' there feet to the sound you can hear
You can hear I hear you tryin' to stop my record sales
Record deals like the belt can't hold the waist in
(the waist in)
If it gets too big and it's tremblin' those pots
It blows up and we win (I'm winnin')
Ready to say my goodbyes
Goodbye to the man who don't like me
Goodbye to the woman who don't like me
Goodbye to the fingers pointin' at me
Goodbye to the promoters that hate me
Goodbye to the people that's hasslin' me
I'm turnin' over a new leaf
Get sharp like a knife in the sheet
If you don't cut the strings it's more beef
See I get the impression I'm not wanted
So I'm givin' you the sound that's not wanted
I'm on my way now
Wish me luck I'm doin' my thing now
To the bikes let's go everyone who likes this let's go
Everyone who likes that go that way
Go that way, go that way, go that way
Go that way, go that way, go that way
Everyone who likes this come this way
(come this way) let's go this way
Let's go this way, let's go this way, let's go this way
Let's go this way
I'll break everybody down
Take everybody down
Any crew any sound
Any MC who's in my way I break down
I'm a show you now it's all changed round
I remember when things were the other way round
When the world got colder and it changed round
I go to every manor and it's all changed round
I want everybody to follow this sound
So don't deny the power of my empire
When I'm hit a strike back with empire
No more crew so wot we got an empire
Roll Deep empire high flyer high power
I'm a compulsory re-buyer
Go to the shops and I spend them buy what I want and
This is for Roll deep empire
If you work hard then you can be a buyer
Like me
You got any of that Urban?
(Urban, urban, urban)
House, do you do Garage?
Ga-ga-ga-garage
Wot do you call it?
Garage?
Wot do you call it?
Garage?
Garage
Wot do you call it?
Urban?
Wot do you call it?
Urban?
Urban
Wot do you call it?
2step?
Wot do you call it?
2step?
2step
Tell us wot you call it
Garage I don't care about garage
Listen to this, it don't sound like garage
Who told you that I make garage?
Wiley Kat'z got his own styles not garage
Make it in the studio but not in the garage
Here in London there's a sound called garage
But this is my sound, it sure ain't garage
I heard they don't like me in garage
Cause I use their scene but make my own sound
The Eskimo sound is mine recognize this
It's mine, you can't claim what's mine
It's my time to bait you up
I don't hate you but some of you have got a problem
I'm puttin' you outta business why is that a problem
Wot's your problem?
Wot the heck my name is problem, remember
Wot do you call it garage?
(Wot do you call it garage?)
Wot do you call it urban?
(Wot do you call it urban?)
Wot do you call it 2step?
(Wot do you call it 2step?)
Wot do you call it, tell us what you call it then
Why do that think I'm stupid
I got brains I could never be stupid
You could never use my name to make your raves 'n' jam
I won't turn up, I'll stay at home with my gyal 'n' jam
Can't threaten me with that bad man talk I'm not scared sorry man
I've seen too much I don't give a monkeys
Swing from tree to tree just like monkeys
Who influenced me to be funky
Who influenced me to make Eski beat
I've made Eski gyals 'n' Eski boys
Movin' there feet to the sound you can hear
You can hear I hear you tryin' to stop my record sales
Record deals like the belt can't hold the waist in
(the waist in)
If it gets too big and it's tremblin' those pots
It blows up and we win (I'm winnin')
Ready to say my goodbyes
Goodbye to the man who don't like me
Goodbye to the woman who don't like me
Goodbye to the fingers pointin' at me
Goodbye to the promoters that hate me
Goodbye to the people that's hasslin' me
I'm turnin' over a new leaf
Get sharp like a knife in the sheet
If you don't cut the strings it's more beef
See I get the impression I'm not wanted
So I'm givin' you the sound that's not wanted
I'm on my way now
Wish me luck I'm doin' my thing now
To the bikes let's go everyone who likes this let's go
Everyone who likes that go that way
Go that way, go that way, go that way
Go that way, go that way, go that way
Everyone who likes this come this way
(come this way) let's go this way
Let's go this way, let's go this way, let's go this way
Let's go this way
I'll break everybody down
Take everybody down
Any crew any sound
Any MC who's in my way I break down
I'm a show you now it's all changed round
I remember when things were the other way round
When the world got colder and it changed round
I go to every manor and it's all changed round
I want everybody to follow this sound
So don't deny the power of my empire
When I'm hit a strike back with empire
No more crew so wot we got an empire
Roll Deep empire high flyer high power
I'm a compulsory re-buyer
Go to the shops and I spend them buy what I want and
This is for Roll deep empire
If you work hard then you can be a buyer
Like me
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Wot Do U Call It? Lyrics as written by Richard Cowie
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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Hayalperest
Hayalperest
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.
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,
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/
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.