"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.
Cut and paste
Were you sitting down
On the beaded impotence of New Orleans
A hint of suspense when that telephone rings
This is forever
It paved a wave of distance
Between a syntax error
From Austin's yellow brick road
This is forever
From this Texas breath
Exhaled no sign of relief
This you know, this you know this is forever
March 23rd hushed the wind the music died
If you can't get the best of us now
It's because this forever
Makes no difference our alphabet
Is missing letters
17 embalmed and caskets lowered
Into the weather
A drizzle brisk and profound
From this Texas breath
Exhaled no sign of relief
This is forever
We're struck by the chords from their hearts
This is forever this is forever
From this Texas breath
Exhaled no sign of relief
You know that this is forever
Were you sitting down
On the beaded impotence of New Orleans
A hint of suspense when that telephone rings
This is forever
It paved a wave of distance
Between a syntax error
From Austin's yellow brick road
This is forever
From this Texas breath
Exhaled no sign of relief
This you know, this you know this is forever
March 23rd hushed the wind the music died
If you can't get the best of us now
It's because this forever
Makes no difference our alphabet
Is missing letters
17 embalmed and caskets lowered
Into the weather
A drizzle brisk and profound
From this Texas breath
Exhaled no sign of relief
This is forever
We're struck by the chords from their hearts
This is forever this is forever
From this Texas breath
Exhaled no sign of relief
You know that this is forever
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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Bee Gees
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@[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.
Amazing
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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
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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.
This is such an amazing song... it gives me chills