"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.
Ooh, baby baby, I feel these sweet sensations, yeah
Honey, honey, looks like a superstar, yeah yeah
She' got a promise of love-struck fascination, ooh
What am I to do? How am I to know who you are?
When this love, foolosophy is killing
Previous illusions that (I'm a love fool)
I had in my mind about you (I'm a love fool)
Seems so true, all the lies you're telling
Tragically compelling and (I'm a love fool)
My love, it means nothing to you
So maybe I'm still a love fool
She shimmers like a California sunset
Lady lady, glitters but there's no gold
She carries sweetly infectious magic formulas
I'm so delirious, is she that serious?
Or is she bringing me on, I've been waiting so long
And this love, foolosophy is killing
Previous illusions that (I'm a love fool)
I had in my mind about you (I'm a love fool)
Seems so true, all the lies you're telling
Tragically compelling and (I'm a love fool)
My love, it means nothing to you
So maybe I'm still a love fool
I don't want the world I want you, yeah
I don't want the world I want you, you
I don't want the world I want you
I want you
I want you (I want you)
I want you
I want you (I want you)
Love, foolosophy is killing
Previous illusions that
I had in my mind about you (I'm a love fool)
Seems so true, all the lies you're telling
Tragically compelling and (I'm a love fool)
My love, it means nothing to you
So maybe I'm still a love fool (I'm a love fool)
My love it means nothing to you
So maybe I'm still a love fool (I'm a love fool)
You're my love foolosophy
Don't you see it's killing me? Ooh?
You're my love foolosophy, yeah
Don't you see it's killing me? Oh
I'm a love fool
Honey, honey, looks like a superstar, yeah yeah
She' got a promise of love-struck fascination, ooh
What am I to do? How am I to know who you are?
When this love, foolosophy is killing
Previous illusions that (I'm a love fool)
I had in my mind about you (I'm a love fool)
Seems so true, all the lies you're telling
Tragically compelling and (I'm a love fool)
My love, it means nothing to you
So maybe I'm still a love fool
She shimmers like a California sunset
Lady lady, glitters but there's no gold
She carries sweetly infectious magic formulas
I'm so delirious, is she that serious?
Or is she bringing me on, I've been waiting so long
And this love, foolosophy is killing
Previous illusions that (I'm a love fool)
I had in my mind about you (I'm a love fool)
Seems so true, all the lies you're telling
Tragically compelling and (I'm a love fool)
My love, it means nothing to you
So maybe I'm still a love fool
I don't want the world I want you, yeah
I don't want the world I want you, you
I don't want the world I want you
I want you
I want you (I want you)
I want you
I want you (I want you)
Love, foolosophy is killing
Previous illusions that
I had in my mind about you (I'm a love fool)
Seems so true, all the lies you're telling
Tragically compelling and (I'm a love fool)
My love, it means nothing to you
So maybe I'm still a love fool (I'm a love fool)
My love it means nothing to you
So maybe I'm still a love fool (I'm a love fool)
You're my love foolosophy
Don't you see it's killing me? Ooh?
You're my love foolosophy, yeah
Don't you see it's killing me? Oh
I'm a love fool
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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/
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.
love the play on words! :)
this one, falling and virtual insanity are jamiroquai's greatest songs ever. damn, i love him... that sound, his lyrics... it gives me something...
it is remarkable to me how Jamiroquai has been able to preserve the purity of 70's funk via Stevie Wonder.
consistently one of my favorite bands for about the past ten years!
I know someone who knows JK's dad.
Theres my claim 2 fame....
I love Jamiroquai, its such a unique sound, you can always dance to it!
The acoustic version is tight
All of JK's songs are awesome but this and (don't) Give hate a chance are my faves :P
LOVE THIS SONG!
It's a sort of confession. That feelings of love might not be so sure. That the one in question is just doing it all for pleasure. Though the singer is stating that it's definitely love the singer's after.