"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.
I said I wasn't cheating
Then I began repeating
I said I wasn't cheating
Then I began repeating
The abundance of redundance
flooded her head and she said,
"If I'm leaving with a broken heart, you're leaving with a bleeding nose."
Well, look out man, 'cause here she comes, yeah.
No, no, no, no, no, no
I think she knows what happened at the party, ow.
No, no, no, no, no, no
And did you really sleep with that chick, man?
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes
And you are you going to tell her straight up, man?
No, no, no, no
I said I wasn't cheating
Then I began repeating
I said I wasn't cheating
Then I began repeating
The abundance of redundance
flooded her head and she said,
"If I'm leaving with a broken heart, you're leaving with a bloody nose."
This is the last time you will see me
This is the last time you'll see me
Check your mood ring 'cause I'll bet it's green
Check your cash flow 'cause I'll bet it's low
Well, hey, how was the party last night, honey?
No, no, no, no, no, no
Oh well, it's wasn't bad. I saw a fight, honey.
No, no, no, no, no, no
I'll bet that wasn't all you saw, now was it?
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes
She started stutter. I couldn't quite slip it.
No, no, no, no
the last time you will see me
This is the last time you'll see me
Check your mood ring 'cause I'll bet it's green
Check your cash flow 'cause I'll bet it's low
I said I wasn't cheating
Then I began repeating
I said I wasn't cheating
Then I began repeating
Oh
Then I began repeating
I said I wasn't cheating
Then I began repeating
The abundance of redundance
flooded her head and she said,
"If I'm leaving with a broken heart, you're leaving with a bloody nose."
This is last time you will see me
This is the last time you'll see me
Check your mood ring 'cause I'll bet it's green
Check your cash flow 'cause I'll bet it's low
This is last time you will see me
This is the last time you'll see me
Check your mood ring 'cause I'll bet it's green
Check your cash flow 'cause I'll bet it's low
Check your sex toys. Check your Playboys.
Check all your things 'cause I'll bet there destroyed!
Cause I'm a jackass.
Well, I'm a jackass
Yeah, I'm a jackass
Then I began repeating
I said I wasn't cheating
Then I began repeating
The abundance of redundance
flooded her head and she said,
"If I'm leaving with a broken heart, you're leaving with a bleeding nose."
Well, look out man, 'cause here she comes, yeah.
No, no, no, no, no, no
I think she knows what happened at the party, ow.
No, no, no, no, no, no
And did you really sleep with that chick, man?
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes
And you are you going to tell her straight up, man?
No, no, no, no
I said I wasn't cheating
Then I began repeating
I said I wasn't cheating
Then I began repeating
The abundance of redundance
flooded her head and she said,
"If I'm leaving with a broken heart, you're leaving with a bloody nose."
This is the last time you will see me
This is the last time you'll see me
Check your mood ring 'cause I'll bet it's green
Check your cash flow 'cause I'll bet it's low
Well, hey, how was the party last night, honey?
No, no, no, no, no, no
Oh well, it's wasn't bad. I saw a fight, honey.
No, no, no, no, no, no
I'll bet that wasn't all you saw, now was it?
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes
She started stutter. I couldn't quite slip it.
No, no, no, no
the last time you will see me
This is the last time you'll see me
Check your mood ring 'cause I'll bet it's green
Check your cash flow 'cause I'll bet it's low
I said I wasn't cheating
Then I began repeating
I said I wasn't cheating
Then I began repeating
Oh
Then I began repeating
I said I wasn't cheating
Then I began repeating
The abundance of redundance
flooded her head and she said,
"If I'm leaving with a broken heart, you're leaving with a bloody nose."
This is last time you will see me
This is the last time you'll see me
Check your mood ring 'cause I'll bet it's green
Check your cash flow 'cause I'll bet it's low
This is last time you will see me
This is the last time you'll see me
Check your mood ring 'cause I'll bet it's green
Check your cash flow 'cause I'll bet it's low
Check your sex toys. Check your Playboys.
Check all your things 'cause I'll bet there destroyed!
Cause I'm a jackass.
Well, I'm a jackass
Yeah, I'm a jackass
Lyrics submitted by lorienmarene
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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.
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.
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.
yummy song!