"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.
We try to stay young, by chasing the sun
You blink for too long, the swans sing a song
And all that I've lost, and all that I've won
Don't mean nothing more when you open your eyes and they're gone
After all we've been told, we're still flesh and bone
And life's worth much more than silver and gold
And all that I've lost, and all that I've won
Don't mean nothing more when you open your eyes and they're gone
And how could it be that we'll never see
The first day of spring and the last autumn leaves?
So lost in my mind, I try to stay strong
If wounds heal in time, tell me why it's so hard to move on
Hard to move on
I'll never move on
I curse the mistakes that we'll never make
The pictures of trips that we'll never take
And all of these thoughts, they keep me awake
Hang on to your heroes before it's too late
'Cause there'll come a time when you open your eyes and they're gone
Some day they're gone
Some day they'll be gone
And I'll still be here chasing the sun
You blink for too long, the swans sing a song
And all that I've lost, and all that I've won
Don't mean nothing more when you open your eyes and they're gone
After all we've been told, we're still flesh and bone
And life's worth much more than silver and gold
And all that I've lost, and all that I've won
Don't mean nothing more when you open your eyes and they're gone
And how could it be that we'll never see
The first day of spring and the last autumn leaves?
So lost in my mind, I try to stay strong
If wounds heal in time, tell me why it's so hard to move on
Hard to move on
I'll never move on
I curse the mistakes that we'll never make
The pictures of trips that we'll never take
And all of these thoughts, they keep me awake
Hang on to your heroes before it's too late
'Cause there'll come a time when you open your eyes and they're gone
Some day they're gone
Some day they'll be gone
And I'll still be here chasing the sun
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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/
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
Maybe their best lyrics ever in this song! It's about the death of Aaron's brother and it's a sad, sad, sad song with so much hope in it!