"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.
Now listen up you know ya come home from working that nine to five and
Lay yourself down on burgundy couch, you know, it never really was
Burgundy. It was red, and you painted with the goddamn sprinkler and
Now you have bits and pieces of burgundy stuck to your but every time
You get off of it. You never tell your family, you never tell your
Family because, you know, ol' Junior, he's got no brains, and what can
You do? What can you do? (And old Junior, you know, got a little crazy
With that P.B.J. that one day ??)
[Chorus]
Grab yourself a can of pork soda
You'll be feeling just fine
Ain't nothin' quite like sittin' 'round the house
Swillin' down them Cans of swine
Ha ha ha! Yes, Dad's an idiot alright!
Well, alright, I'm really starting to worry about you. You had to have
That two-car garage with the large driveway so you could park that
Goddamn boat in it. If it wasn't for the boat (blah blah blah)
[Chorus]
I like Kansas wine
Well, maybe it's something simpler, like your team lost or your
Girlfriend used to be a guy, you know, I don't know. I mean (blah blah blah)
Lay yourself down on burgundy couch, you know, it never really was
Burgundy. It was red, and you painted with the goddamn sprinkler and
Now you have bits and pieces of burgundy stuck to your but every time
You get off of it. You never tell your family, you never tell your
Family because, you know, ol' Junior, he's got no brains, and what can
You do? What can you do? (And old Junior, you know, got a little crazy
With that P.B.J. that one day ??)
[Chorus]
Grab yourself a can of pork soda
You'll be feeling just fine
Ain't nothin' quite like sittin' 'round the house
Swillin' down them Cans of swine
Ha ha ha! Yes, Dad's an idiot alright!
Well, alright, I'm really starting to worry about you. You had to have
That two-car garage with the large driveway so you could park that
Goddamn boat in it. If it wasn't for the boat (blah blah blah)
[Chorus]
I like Kansas wine
Well, maybe it's something simpler, like your team lost or your
Girlfriend used to be a guy, you know, I don't know. I mean (blah blah blah)
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More Featured Meanings
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/
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.
whats a burgundy?