"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.
Lazy days calling to you
Come out to play
The future lies with you
Now you can be sure love is the cure
What we're searching for
Is to have a jolly good time
Crazy days, but you'll get me through
And here I'll stay holding on to you
Now you can be sure
Our thoughts unpure
Will unlock the door
And we will have (and we will have)
A jolly good time
It can happen in any season
We don't need any reason
To sit around and wait
The world can change in a second so
I find the sunshine beckons me
To open up the gate
And dream and dream
Lazy days, don't let them get you down (let them get you down)
Wear your smile
I don't want to see you frown
Don't let them get you down
It can happen in any season
We don't need any reason
To sit around and wait
The world can change in a second so
I find the sunshine beckons me
To open up the gate
And dream and dream
And we will have (and we will have)
A jolly good time
Time
It's alright
It's alright
It's alright
Time
It's alright (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
It's alright (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
It's alright (yeah, yeah)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah yeah
Time
It's alright (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
It's alright (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
It's alright (yeah, yeah)
Come out to play
The future lies with you
Now you can be sure love is the cure
What we're searching for
Is to have a jolly good time
Crazy days, but you'll get me through
And here I'll stay holding on to you
Now you can be sure
Our thoughts unpure
Will unlock the door
And we will have (and we will have)
A jolly good time
It can happen in any season
We don't need any reason
To sit around and wait
The world can change in a second so
I find the sunshine beckons me
To open up the gate
And dream and dream
Lazy days, don't let them get you down (let them get you down)
Wear your smile
I don't want to see you frown
Don't let them get you down
It can happen in any season
We don't need any reason
To sit around and wait
The world can change in a second so
I find the sunshine beckons me
To open up the gate
And dream and dream
And we will have (and we will have)
A jolly good time
Time
It's alright
It's alright
It's alright
Time
It's alright (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
It's alright (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
It's alright (yeah, yeah)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah yeah
Time
It's alright (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
It's alright (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
It's alright (yeah, yeah)
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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.
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/
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.
What a great song, from a really young Robbie, coping with his own "fall from grace". I love the optimistic tone of it, telling us that it's really up to us to go after our happiness..."to open up the gate and dream"... It just gives me hope, saying that no matter how much you've screwed up your life you can still recover and find he sun again. It (the change, your happiness) could happen in any season (it doesn't have to be the summer) and without a particular reason, as long as you're decided to get over yourself. One of my all time favourites, and very underrated in my opinion, from his first cd "Life Thru A Lens". I wish more Robbie fans would post here, so they could tell me if they see the resemblance of this (old) video with the "Tripping" one...it's really impressive and I've always wondered why he put those images back again, maybe as a wink to their fans? (the maze, the twins and some other stuff appear again).
Both of these songs are very beautiful songs, I have them both saved in my favorites and I\'ll keep them there forever! Thanks for helping me understand this song. :)
Hi Gabigs... i have read so many of your comments on here, and i end up not commenting because i agree with you with absoultely EVERYTHING!! As you say about this, it is a very, in fact HUGELY over-rated song, it is so good really and i just wish more people would realize it!! =) xx
correction: UNDER-rated not over-rated!