"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.
Each ticker-tape parade is followed by a broom brigade
To sweep up all the mess we made
Don't let me off this float
Each smiley face I see reminds me of the agony
But every love ends in defeat
Don't ever let me go
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
In the end we're sent to bed and put to sleep
But not me
I'm never coming down
Not ever coming down
Forever coming down
In a hot air balloon the moon hangs low and so do you
I pop a bottle of champagne
And toast a love grown cold
Keep pushing into me, the [?] a tapestry
Why can't we live so blanketed
In the moment we explode
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
Flashy fireworks decay into debris
But not me
I'm never coming down
Not ever coming down
Forever coming down
I'm never coming down
Not ever coming down
Forever coming down
I'm never coming down
Not ever coming down
Forever coming down
To sweep up all the mess we made
Don't let me off this float
Each smiley face I see reminds me of the agony
But every love ends in defeat
Don't ever let me go
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
In the end we're sent to bed and put to sleep
But not me
I'm never coming down
Not ever coming down
Forever coming down
In a hot air balloon the moon hangs low and so do you
I pop a bottle of champagne
And toast a love grown cold
Keep pushing into me, the [?] a tapestry
Why can't we live so blanketed
In the moment we explode
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
Flashy fireworks decay into debris
But not me
I'm never coming down
Not ever coming down
Forever coming down
I'm never coming down
Not ever coming down
Forever coming down
I'm never coming down
Not ever coming down
Forever coming down
Lyrics submitted by Mellow_Harsher
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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/
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.
According to Tim himself: "This was one of the first songs written for the album and helped set a tone for the style we wanted to capture. This song is very 120 Minutes to me (that’s Subterranean to you younger kids) (That’s… YouTubing alternative band videos?!?! to you much younger kids). This song’s lyrics also works as the main template for the amazing artwork illustrated by Dan Black."