"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.
Keeps coming closer
I don't, but she thinks I know her
Beautiful smile with those sad eyes
That was my type
Amnesia that's over
I can see your breathing, girl, is colder
I can see you need me but I don't care
My whole memory of me and love
Gone so far from me girl
It's not fair
I could feel it almost start to change (almost starts to change)
But then it hurts too much
That's when it starts to fade
So cold baby, now I'm going crazy
I don't know why you need me alone
If it was true, if it was you
Don't you think?
Don't you think I would know?
Amnesia, every memory fades away till it's gone
Where did you go?
Amnesia, went from everything to nothing
No we anymore, she's a stranger that I used to know
Peaceful for those of us
So happy, so in love
Tell me what happened
Who are they? Where did they go?
And when was enough, enough
When did all the fire turn colder?
When did your heart start to beat slower?
My whole memory of me in love is gone so far from me, it's not fair
And I can feel it almost start to change (almost start to change)
But it just hurts to much, I let it go away
So cold baby, now I'm going crazy
I don't know why you need me alone
If it was true, if it was you
Don't you think?
Don't you think I would know?
Amnesia, every memory fades away till it's gone
Where did you go?
Amnesia, went from everything to nothing
No we anymore, she's a stranger that I used to know
I can feel it almost start to change (almost start to change)
But then it hurts too much I let it go away, uh
So cold baby (so cold), now I'm going crazy
I don't know why you need me alone
If it was true, if it was you
Don't you think?
Don't you think I would know?
Amnesia, every memory fades away 'til it's gone
Where did you go?
Amnesia, everything and nothing
No we anymore she's a stranger
Amnesia, every memory fades away 'til it's gone
Where did you go?
Amnesia, everything and nothing
No we anymore she's a stranger that I used to know
And I don't know you anymore
Everything to nothing
Everything to nothing
She's a stranger that I used to know
Amnesia, amnesia, amnesia
Go on and tear me apart
And do it again tomorrow
I almost forgot
Who you are
I try to forget about it every time I see ya, see ya
Thought I could do without it
Now I know I need ya, need ya
This is turning into some kind, some kind of amnesia, I need ya
Memories fade away
Love is so insane
I try to forget about it, every time I see ya, see ya
Thought I could do without it
Now I know I need ya, need ya
This is turning into some kind, some kind of amnesia, I need ya
Memories fade away
Love is so insane
So tear me apart and do it again tomorrow
I almost forgot who we are
I'll let you drive me crazy for another day
Isn't this love insane, insane? Yeah
I don't, but she thinks I know her
Beautiful smile with those sad eyes
That was my type
Amnesia that's over
I can see your breathing, girl, is colder
I can see you need me but I don't care
My whole memory of me and love
Gone so far from me girl
It's not fair
I could feel it almost start to change (almost starts to change)
But then it hurts too much
That's when it starts to fade
So cold baby, now I'm going crazy
I don't know why you need me alone
If it was true, if it was you
Don't you think?
Don't you think I would know?
Amnesia, every memory fades away till it's gone
Where did you go?
Amnesia, went from everything to nothing
No we anymore, she's a stranger that I used to know
Peaceful for those of us
So happy, so in love
Tell me what happened
Who are they? Where did they go?
And when was enough, enough
When did all the fire turn colder?
When did your heart start to beat slower?
My whole memory of me in love is gone so far from me, it's not fair
And I can feel it almost start to change (almost start to change)
But it just hurts to much, I let it go away
So cold baby, now I'm going crazy
I don't know why you need me alone
If it was true, if it was you
Don't you think?
Don't you think I would know?
Amnesia, every memory fades away till it's gone
Where did you go?
Amnesia, went from everything to nothing
No we anymore, she's a stranger that I used to know
I can feel it almost start to change (almost start to change)
But then it hurts too much I let it go away, uh
So cold baby (so cold), now I'm going crazy
I don't know why you need me alone
If it was true, if it was you
Don't you think?
Don't you think I would know?
Amnesia, every memory fades away 'til it's gone
Where did you go?
Amnesia, everything and nothing
No we anymore she's a stranger
Amnesia, every memory fades away 'til it's gone
Where did you go?
Amnesia, everything and nothing
No we anymore she's a stranger that I used to know
And I don't know you anymore
Everything to nothing
Everything to nothing
She's a stranger that I used to know
Amnesia, amnesia, amnesia
Go on and tear me apart
And do it again tomorrow
I almost forgot
Who you are
I try to forget about it every time I see ya, see ya
Thought I could do without it
Now I know I need ya, need ya
This is turning into some kind, some kind of amnesia, I need ya
Memories fade away
Love is so insane
I try to forget about it, every time I see ya, see ya
Thought I could do without it
Now I know I need ya, need ya
This is turning into some kind, some kind of amnesia, I need ya
Memories fade away
Love is so insane
So tear me apart and do it again tomorrow
I almost forgot who we are
I'll let you drive me crazy for another day
Isn't this love insane, insane? Yeah
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
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.
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/
Its about trying to forget about a love that didn't work out. It is hard to move on when feelings are strong. The woman is acting differently towards him so she becomes a stranger to him. Things have changed drastically.