"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.
Pictures of you
Oh, they're still on my mind
You had this smile
That could light up the world
Now when it rains
It seems the sun never shines
And I drive
Down this lonely, lonely road
Ooh, I got this feelin'
Girl, I gotta let you go
'Cause now you've got to fly high (fly high)
Fly to the angels
Heaven awaits your heart
And flowers bloom in your name
Whoa oh
You've got to fly (fly high)
Fly to the angels
All the stars in the night
Shine in your name
Though it hurts me way deep inside
When I turn and look and find
That you're not there
I try to convince myself
That the pain
The pain is still not gone
Still I drive
Down this lonely, lonely road
Ooh I got this feelin'
Girl, I've got to let you go
But now you've got to fly (fly high)
Fly to the angels
Heaven awaits your heart
And flowers bloom in your name
Whoa
You've got to fly (fly high)
Fly to the angels
All the stars in the night
Shine in your name
Fly
And still I drive down
This lonely, lonely road
Ooh, I got this feelin'
Oh, I can't let you go
But I know
That you've got to fly (fly high)
Fly to the angels
Heaven awaits your heart
And flowers bloom in your name
Whoa oh oh oh
You've got fly (fly high)
Fly to the angels
All the stars in the sky
Shine in your name, yeah
I'm gonna miss you
Miss you, girl
Oh, they're still on my mind
You had this smile
That could light up the world
Now when it rains
It seems the sun never shines
And I drive
Down this lonely, lonely road
Ooh, I got this feelin'
Girl, I gotta let you go
'Cause now you've got to fly high (fly high)
Fly to the angels
Heaven awaits your heart
And flowers bloom in your name
Whoa oh
You've got to fly (fly high)
Fly to the angels
All the stars in the night
Shine in your name
Though it hurts me way deep inside
When I turn and look and find
That you're not there
I try to convince myself
That the pain
The pain is still not gone
Still I drive
Down this lonely, lonely road
Ooh I got this feelin'
Girl, I've got to let you go
But now you've got to fly (fly high)
Fly to the angels
Heaven awaits your heart
And flowers bloom in your name
Whoa
You've got to fly (fly high)
Fly to the angels
All the stars in the night
Shine in your name
Fly
And still I drive down
This lonely, lonely road
Ooh, I got this feelin'
Oh, I can't let you go
But I know
That you've got to fly (fly high)
Fly to the angels
Heaven awaits your heart
And flowers bloom in your name
Whoa oh oh oh
You've got fly (fly high)
Fly to the angels
All the stars in the sky
Shine in your name, yeah
I'm gonna miss you
Miss you, girl
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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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,
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Classic 80's. Great song.
it came out in '91 :)