"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.
A nocturnal concerto
Candlelight whispers me where to go
Hymn of gathering stars as my guide
Whilst I wander on this path of the night
Embroidery of the stars
Undress my feelings for this earth
Send me your saliva to heal my scars
And let this nakedness be my birth
Macrocosm poured its powers on me
And the hopes of this world I now must leave
The night wish I sent you centuries ago
Has been heard by those who dwelled in a woe
The distance of our bridal bed
Await for me to be dead
Dust of the galaxies take my hand
Lead me to my beloved's land
Departed by the guillotine of death
I received a letter from the depth
The dream of my lover it carried inside
Caressed by the sharpest knife
I asked you to be my wife
Rays of the setting sun
Were my tears wept upon promises undone
Come to me
Make me believe
To you and your love again
Above the universe
Beneath the great eye
I shall desire you forevermore
Candlelight whispers me where to go
Hymn of gathering stars as my guide
Whilst I wander on this path of the night
Embroidery of the stars
Undress my feelings for this earth
Send me your saliva to heal my scars
And let this nakedness be my birth
Macrocosm poured its powers on me
And the hopes of this world I now must leave
The night wish I sent you centuries ago
Has been heard by those who dwelled in a woe
The distance of our bridal bed
Await for me to be dead
Dust of the galaxies take my hand
Lead me to my beloved's land
Departed by the guillotine of death
I received a letter from the depth
The dream of my lover it carried inside
Caressed by the sharpest knife
I asked you to be my wife
Rays of the setting sun
Were my tears wept upon promises undone
Come to me
Make me believe
To you and your love again
Above the universe
Beneath the great eye
I shall desire you forevermore
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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,
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
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.
Hits the nail on the head with nightmarish punctuation and grammar.