"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.
All she's asking is for a little more time,
To walk away from his anger and leave the bruises far behind
She won't talk about it...she's made up her mind
But as the front door shuts behind her she whispers "give me a sign."
Feels the power of the engine as she climbs to 65
Every piston sounds like freedom, every white line says goodbye
She'll find strength in her anger and the truth in his lies
When the last scar finally fades she'll have a new life
Say goodbye to Mr. Right
Lock the door, turn out the light
Pack your bags, leave this trap
Run away, don't look back
See another day with each new sun
Your life has just begun
She can still feel the touch of his hand
Not just the violence but the warmth of her man
The night she never felt so alive
Even though it feels so cold outside
It's the first time I've ever seen her smile.
To walk away from his anger and leave the bruises far behind
She won't talk about it...she's made up her mind
But as the front door shuts behind her she whispers "give me a sign."
Feels the power of the engine as she climbs to 65
Every piston sounds like freedom, every white line says goodbye
She'll find strength in her anger and the truth in his lies
When the last scar finally fades she'll have a new life
Say goodbye to Mr. Right
Lock the door, turn out the light
Pack your bags, leave this trap
Run away, don't look back
See another day with each new sun
Your life has just begun
She can still feel the touch of his hand
Not just the violence but the warmth of her man
The night she never felt so alive
Even though it feels so cold outside
It's the first time I've ever seen her smile.
Lyrics submitted by punkmebabygal
Alive Lyrics as written by Mark J Beauchemin Mark Beauchemin
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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.
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/
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.
I can't believe how.... not too many people like SR-71... They are an AWESOME band. This song is so good, and thanx for the info on it ROsniper. This song gets to me everytime I listen to it... like ever SR-71 song does.
I can't believe no one has commented on this great song about a friend of the singers who is with an abusive man, and she finally leaves him, even thou it is hard, and he is so glad to finally see her happy
gr8 song I think its about running away from an abusive spouse and starting a new life
Man, this song rocks. I never had heard of them till talking to a friend. but these lyrics are wesome. I hope all the others are just as good.
when i saw them live with dexter freebish, they actually told the story behind it, as ROsniper18 said. it was so powerful to hear them do it live. there was silence after they finished. and i love how the verses are sensative, and quiet, and the chorus has that jarring reality.
This is one of the most kick ass songs in the album! the change of tunes is great. It's about a woman that's involve in a relashionship with a violent man. One night she decides to leave "the bruises far behind" so she drives away "and every white line says good bye." "The night she never felt so alive even though it feels so cold outside It's the first time I've ever seen her smile." She is finally happy for leaving him. "See another day in each new sun, cause your life has just begun" Is one of my favorite lines in the song. It just transmits the feeling of moving on...
Yeah I just kinda discovered this song. I got this CD from a friend and put it on my computer with a library of 2500 or so songs...i can't exactely listen to all of them, but one day I randomly clicked on this song, and I'm obsessed with it. Its beautiful, powerful, and meaningful all at the same time. Great stuff. Now i suppose i should listen to some more of their stuff. And I agree with Punker girl on the meaning...pretty self explanatory.
i love the first part of this song, and the "Feels the power of the engine as she climbs to 65 Every piston sounds like freedom, every white line says goodbye" is especially cool not a fan of the rest of the song sadly
same here Invader!! I love this song. powerful song !
It's a true story I know, and is about a friend of Mitch who finally had the courage to leave her violent husband/boyfriend and leave everything hard about her past behind. great song, great lyrics!