"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 am an architect
Of days that haven't happened yet
I can't believe a month is all it's been
You know my paper heart
The one I fill with pencil marks
I think I might have gone and inked you in
Little by little, inch by inch
We built a yard
With a garden in the middle of it
It ain't much, but it's a start
You got me swaying right along
To the song in your heart
And a face to call home
A face to call home
You got a face to call home
It's so good you didn't see
The nervous wreck I used to be
I never thought a man could feel so small
You never look at me like I'm a liability
I bet you'd think I've never been at all
Little by little, inch by inch
We built a yard
With a garden in the middle of it
It ain't much, but it's a start
You got me swaying right along
To the song in your heart
And a face to call home
A face to call home
You got a face to call home
A face to call home
A face to call home
You got a face to call home
Maybe I can stay awhile
Maybe I can stay awhile
Maybe I can stay awhile
I'm talking like all of the time
Maybe I can stay awhile
Little by little, inch by inch
We built a yard
With a garden in the middle of it
It ain't much, but it's a start
You got me swaying right along
To the song in your heart
And a face to call home
A face to call home
You got a face to call home
Of days that haven't happened yet
I can't believe a month is all it's been
You know my paper heart
The one I fill with pencil marks
I think I might have gone and inked you in
Little by little, inch by inch
We built a yard
With a garden in the middle of it
It ain't much, but it's a start
You got me swaying right along
To the song in your heart
And a face to call home
A face to call home
You got a face to call home
It's so good you didn't see
The nervous wreck I used to be
I never thought a man could feel so small
You never look at me like I'm a liability
I bet you'd think I've never been at all
Little by little, inch by inch
We built a yard
With a garden in the middle of it
It ain't much, but it's a start
You got me swaying right along
To the song in your heart
And a face to call home
A face to call home
You got a face to call home
A face to call home
A face to call home
You got a face to call home
Maybe I can stay awhile
Maybe I can stay awhile
Maybe I can stay awhile
I'm talking like all of the time
Maybe I can stay awhile
Little by little, inch by inch
We built a yard
With a garden in the middle of it
It ain't much, but it's a start
You got me swaying right along
To the song in your heart
And a face to call home
A face to call home
You got a face to call home
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More Featured Meanings
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,
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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.
I also think this is him kind of telling his story to his wife/girlfriend about how she saw the good in him and how they have a house but she is his actual home and with her he feels safe.