"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.
You've been talking for an hour, and I swear to God that I can't hear a word you say
So would you come to me, come to me
I get caught up and the waves of conversation they wash over me
And they cover me, they cover me
Should I just pack my things and leave
Would I be a bigger man if I built a wall around your heart and dared you to come in
I could lie to you and say I didn't mean it
But hurts a funny thing and it makes you stronger
All is nothing in moderation
It's a dirty feeling and it makes you stronger
Well I believe I'm just plain tired
There's a funny way your lip shakes when I know that you've been lying, and it touches me
It comforts me, it comforts me
I guess I should be satisfied, did you say you love me half the time
Well let's settle there, we can build from there, build from there
Would you be happier if I was only half the man I am
You could shadow me and dare me to come in
I could lie to you and say I didn't mean it
But it really doesn't matter when you stop to think about it
All is nothing in moderation
It's a dirty feeling and it makes you stronger
Well I believe I'm just plain tired
The end is coming she don't even feel it
It's a strange sensation, I'm almost happy
Well I believe I'm just plain tired, I'm tired
Should I just pack my things and leave
Would I be a bigger man if I built a wall around your heart and dared you to come in
I can lie to you, say I didn't mean it
But hurts a funny thing, hurts a funny thing
All is nothing in moderation
It's a dirty feeling and it makes you stronger
Well I believe I'm just plain tired
The end is coming she don't even feel it
It's a strange sensation, I'm almost happy
Well I believe I'm just plain tired, I'm tired
All is nothing in moderation
It's a dirty feeling and it makes you stronger
Well I believe I'm just plain tired
The end is coming she don't even feel it
It's a strange sensation, I'm almost happy
Well I believe I'm just plain tired, I'm tired
So would you come to me, come to me
I get caught up and the waves of conversation they wash over me
And they cover me, they cover me
Should I just pack my things and leave
Would I be a bigger man if I built a wall around your heart and dared you to come in
I could lie to you and say I didn't mean it
But hurts a funny thing and it makes you stronger
All is nothing in moderation
It's a dirty feeling and it makes you stronger
Well I believe I'm just plain tired
There's a funny way your lip shakes when I know that you've been lying, and it touches me
It comforts me, it comforts me
I guess I should be satisfied, did you say you love me half the time
Well let's settle there, we can build from there, build from there
Would you be happier if I was only half the man I am
You could shadow me and dare me to come in
I could lie to you and say I didn't mean it
But it really doesn't matter when you stop to think about it
All is nothing in moderation
It's a dirty feeling and it makes you stronger
Well I believe I'm just plain tired
The end is coming she don't even feel it
It's a strange sensation, I'm almost happy
Well I believe I'm just plain tired, I'm tired
Should I just pack my things and leave
Would I be a bigger man if I built a wall around your heart and dared you to come in
I can lie to you, say I didn't mean it
But hurts a funny thing, hurts a funny thing
All is nothing in moderation
It's a dirty feeling and it makes you stronger
Well I believe I'm just plain tired
The end is coming she don't even feel it
It's a strange sensation, I'm almost happy
Well I believe I'm just plain tired, I'm tired
All is nothing in moderation
It's a dirty feeling and it makes you stronger
Well I believe I'm just plain tired
The end is coming she don't even feel it
It's a strange sensation, I'm almost happy
Well I believe I'm just plain tired, I'm tired
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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”
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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,
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.