"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.
Don't look back (ooh, a new day is breakin')
It's been too long since I felt this way
I don't mind (ooh, where I get taken)
The road is callin', today is the day
I can see, it took so long just to realize
I'm much too strong not to compromise
Now I see what I am is holding me down
I'll turn it around, oh, yes, I will
I finally see the dawn arrivin'
I see beyond the road I'm drivin'
It's a bright horizon (ooh, and I'm awakin' now)
Oh, I see myself in a brand new way
The sun is shinin' (ooh, the clouds are breakin')
'Cause I can't lose now, there's no game to play
I can tell there's no more time left to criticize
I've seen what I could not recognize
Everything in my life was leading me on
But I can be strong, oh, yes, I can
I finally see the dawn arrivin'
I see beyond the road I'm drivin'
Ooh, far away and left behind, left behind
Oh, the sun is shinin' and I'm on that road
Don't look back (ooh, a new day is breakin')
Oh, it's been so long since I felt this way
I don't mind (ooh, where I get taken)
The road is callin', today is the day
I can see, it took so long just to realize
I'm much too strong not to compromise
Now I see what I am is holding me down
I'll turn it around, oh, yes, I will
I finally see the dawn arrivin'
I see beyond the road I'm drivin'
Oh, far away and left behind
Don't look back, ooh
Don't look back, ooh
Don't look back, ooh
Don't look back, ooh
It's been too long since I felt this way
I don't mind (ooh, where I get taken)
The road is callin', today is the day
I can see, it took so long just to realize
I'm much too strong not to compromise
Now I see what I am is holding me down
I'll turn it around, oh, yes, I will
I finally see the dawn arrivin'
I see beyond the road I'm drivin'
It's a bright horizon (ooh, and I'm awakin' now)
Oh, I see myself in a brand new way
The sun is shinin' (ooh, the clouds are breakin')
'Cause I can't lose now, there's no game to play
I can tell there's no more time left to criticize
I've seen what I could not recognize
Everything in my life was leading me on
But I can be strong, oh, yes, I can
I finally see the dawn arrivin'
I see beyond the road I'm drivin'
Ooh, far away and left behind, left behind
Oh, the sun is shinin' and I'm on that road
Don't look back (ooh, a new day is breakin')
Oh, it's been so long since I felt this way
I don't mind (ooh, where I get taken)
The road is callin', today is the day
I can see, it took so long just to realize
I'm much too strong not to compromise
Now I see what I am is holding me down
I'll turn it around, oh, yes, I will
I finally see the dawn arrivin'
I see beyond the road I'm drivin'
Oh, far away and left behind
Don't look back, ooh
Don't look back, ooh
Don't look back, ooh
Don't look back, ooh
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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/
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
I love Boston and this one of my favorite songs. Like most Boston songs, the meaning of the lyrics is straightforward. Be the person you can be, were intended to be, today. Don't be held back by previous successes or failures. Focusing on the past blinds you from the present and impedes your vision of the future.
Boston has affected me profoundly over the years. I can only describe their music as a spiritual rising. The lyrics, Tom's warm guitar tone and Brad's amazing voice have elevated me during the most difficult times in my life.
Tom Scholz is notorious for taking the better part of a decade to record each album. I was born in '74 and the first Boston album I remember coming out was "Third Stage" in 1986. My best friend was the first person I knew who had a CD player and I remember sitting in his room, listening to this album over and over. When I was 14, I could sing along and hit all the high notes in Hollyann! Alas, by the time I got to college, I could not longer impersonate a soprano, but my friends and I spent many an hour in the dorm, listening to Brad's majestic voice on Boston's debut album, desperately trying to keep up with this lyrical virtuoso.
I can honestly say I spent years hoping for the next Boston album just to get another glimpse of Brad's voice. When "Walk On" came out in 1994, I bought it immediately, went straight home to listen to it, and was disappointed when I realized the voice I was hearing was NOT the Voice of Boston. Fran Cosmo, who sang the leads, is a wonderful singer and he sounded great, but Brad was nonpareil.
I waited eight more years and picked up "Corporate America." Unfortunately, Brad only sang lead vocals on three of those songs, and the rest of the songs on the album sound so little like Boston's previous works that you would never guess it was a Boston album if you listened to it for the first time blindfolded. Of course, Brad died about 5 years later so I've given up the dream of another Boston album with his voice. The one true outstanding piece on the album is "I Had a Good Time."
Their latest release, "Life, Love and Hope," hasn't done much for me. Bummer.
@phantomlaw <br /> [Boston has affected me profoundly over the years. I can only describe their music as a spiritual rising. The lyrics, Tom's warm guitar tone and Brad's amazing voice have elevated me during the most difficult times in my life.]<br /> <br /> I feel the same. You said it well.