"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.
There was a time
And there was a place
When we were one.
And it was so still
And it was so dark
And the place was my tum.
And there came a time
And there came a place
When the bun was well done.
We had waited the time.
We had counted it out.
We had done all the sums.
So they tried to coax
With the needles and smoke.
And they stuck in the pins
And they burned my toe.
And the moon was pink
And then the moon turned dark,
You had started to start.
You had started to start.
You decided to start,
And the moon was dark.
Oh, and your power!
Oh, where should I start?
Start to explain
How lucky we are.
Cause he stayed with me
And he stayed with you,
Holding on all the the time.
And he stayed awake
And he didn't sleep
And the next day we cried.
Cause the turnip had turned,
Oh the turnip had turned,
Oh the turnip had turned.
Oh the turnip had turned,
Oh the turnip turned,
Oh the turnip had turned.
Ohhh - ooooo
And there was a place
When we were one.
And it was so still
And it was so dark
And the place was my tum.
And there came a time
And there came a place
When the bun was well done.
We had waited the time.
We had counted it out.
We had done all the sums.
So they tried to coax
With the needles and smoke.
And they stuck in the pins
And they burned my toe.
And the moon was pink
And then the moon turned dark,
You had started to start.
You had started to start.
You decided to start,
And the moon was dark.
Oh, and your power!
Oh, where should I start?
Start to explain
How lucky we are.
Cause he stayed with me
And he stayed with you,
Holding on all the the time.
And he stayed awake
And he didn't sleep
And the next day we cried.
Cause the turnip had turned,
Oh the turnip had turned,
Oh the turnip had turned.
Oh the turnip had turned,
Oh the turnip turned,
Oh the turnip had turned.
Ohhh - ooooo
Lyrics submitted by PeterK
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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/
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
I think this song might be about pregnancy and giving birth:
"There was a time and there was a place when we were one." "And it was so still and it was so dark and the place was my tum."
"And there came a time and there came a place when the bun was well done." "We had waited the time. We had counted it out. We had done all the sums."
"So they tried to coax with the needles and smoke." "And they stuck in the pins and they burned my toe."
"And the moon was pink and then the moon turned dark, you had started to start. (etc.)"
"Oh, and your power! Oh, where should I start?" "Start to explain how lucky we are."
"Cause he stayed with me and he stayed with you, holding on all the the time." "And he stayed awake and he didn't sleep and the next day we cried."
It is about pregnancy and childbirth, but it actually says Pa, not power. That bit is about her partner (her child's father)