"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.
As I stepped out upon the landing my heart was already down the stairs
She's in the bedroom with that boy of hers
Though her face is creased and her eyes seem strange
There's a second-hand emotion on battered forty-five
My tears were never enough to keep that girl alive
Now she seems contrite will she make the change
[Chorus:]
The next time 'round
The next time 'round
You'll be someone else's baby
But I'll be underground
The next time 'round
Then you took two steps forward and then one step on your back
Now it's a future for me and you that I lack
You'll be the one who'll stands out in the dark
Even when you're all dressed in black
[Chorus:]
You've got something I want now
And I've got something I can't hide
I've got too much love for you now
Have you got too much pride
Sometimes I name and number all the things you gave to me
Your elastic love, this velvet-line purgatory
You used to take the breath out of me
Now I think you'll be the death of me
[Chorus:]
You'll be in some sputnik baby
But I'll be underground
The next time 'round
She's in the bedroom with that boy of hers
Though her face is creased and her eyes seem strange
There's a second-hand emotion on battered forty-five
My tears were never enough to keep that girl alive
Now she seems contrite will she make the change
[Chorus:]
The next time 'round
The next time 'round
You'll be someone else's baby
But I'll be underground
The next time 'round
Then you took two steps forward and then one step on your back
Now it's a future for me and you that I lack
You'll be the one who'll stands out in the dark
Even when you're all dressed in black
[Chorus:]
You've got something I want now
And I've got something I can't hide
I've got too much love for you now
Have you got too much pride
Sometimes I name and number all the things you gave to me
Your elastic love, this velvet-line purgatory
You used to take the breath out of me
Now I think you'll be the death of me
[Chorus:]
You'll be in some sputnik baby
But I'll be underground
The next time 'round
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
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.
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.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
Off of Blood & Chocolate. I remember listening to the entire record for the first time and realizing that every song had some connection to death in some way, as does "Next time 'round."
The storyteller's former girlfriend is either physically or emotionally dead. She's dead, or a living dead, zombie-like "her face is creased and her eyes seem strange...my tears were never enough to keep that girl alive" and "in the bedroom with that boy of hers", a young lover, rather than together with the storyteller. Possibly that "boy of hers" is not a physical lover, but heroin, lending her the creased face, strange eyes, and emotional death.
Next time (in another life, perhaps) the roles will somehow be reversed and she's going to be at the storyteller's funeral, dressed in black:
"The next time 'round The next time 'round You'll be someone else's baby But I'll be underground The Next Time 'Round"
The explanation is that she continued without the storyteller
"Then you took two steps forward"
and ended up in be with another man, or possibly shooting up, and dying in the process "and then one step on your back Now it's a future for me and you that I lack"
She's still ravishing, a stand out even when dressed in black "You'll be the one who'll stands out in the dark Even when you're all dressed in black"
Life with this girl was like a living hell, her womb being likened to a velvet lined purgatory:
Your elastic love, this velvet-line purgatory You used to take the breath out of me Now I think you'll be the death of me
Chorus
You'll be in some sputnik baby But I'll be underground
The Next Time 'Round
"The next time 'round The next time 'round You'll be someone else's baby But I'll be underground The Next Time 'Round"
@Gadgety Great Analysis!