"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.
An occasional joint, a glass or two of beer
Still I would never have guessed that you'd wind up here
In a half-way house, on a dead-end street
In a run-down part of a one-horse town
But just do what they say, don't worry 'bout your girl
'Cause I won't run away, and I won't run around
And I won't let you down, and without a doubt
I'll be waiting, waiting
Waiting at the gate when they let you out
You set the world on fire, dancing after dark
Now you're playing solitaire in a fenced-in park
I'm not the one to judge you, so baby don't be scared
No one gets a free ride, none of us is spared
I'll be back on the ninth, I've circled the date
Three o'clock sharp, and I won't be late
You've been through hell I know what that's all about
And I'll be waiting, waiting
Waiting at the gate when they let you out
The doctors have so little faith
They say you were a classic case
They said the chance is eight in ten
They'd see you back in here again
But I'm counting on you to prove the doctors wrong
I'm imagining you, healthy and strong
Your papers all stamped, your eyes so bright and blue
Looking like a baby picture of you
Walking down the path, your suitcase in your hand
The howling at your back, a brand new man
Be a perfect little camper, be a brave little scout
And I'll be waiting waiting
Waiting at the gate when they let you out...
Still I would never have guessed that you'd wind up here
In a half-way house, on a dead-end street
In a run-down part of a one-horse town
But just do what they say, don't worry 'bout your girl
'Cause I won't run away, and I won't run around
And I won't let you down, and without a doubt
I'll be waiting, waiting
Waiting at the gate when they let you out
You set the world on fire, dancing after dark
Now you're playing solitaire in a fenced-in park
I'm not the one to judge you, so baby don't be scared
No one gets a free ride, none of us is spared
I'll be back on the ninth, I've circled the date
Three o'clock sharp, and I won't be late
You've been through hell I know what that's all about
And I'll be waiting, waiting
Waiting at the gate when they let you out
The doctors have so little faith
They say you were a classic case
They said the chance is eight in ten
They'd see you back in here again
But I'm counting on you to prove the doctors wrong
I'm imagining you, healthy and strong
Your papers all stamped, your eyes so bright and blue
Looking like a baby picture of you
Walking down the path, your suitcase in your hand
The howling at your back, a brand new man
Be a perfect little camper, be a brave little scout
And I'll be waiting waiting
Waiting at the gate when they let you out...
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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.
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.