"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.
I loved a girl named Sandyface,
She lived outside of town
In a tent made of diapers
In the sand she laid face down
She had a pillow of cactus
And her bed was desert land
I suppose the call her Sandyface
Because her face was covered in sand
And I remember her sandy face
And I remember her sandy smile
That Sandy was the apple
Of many bloodshot eyes
And one day she fell victim
To a sheep in wolf's disguise
They said a man with banana bread
And a beehive on his chin
Sold my love to the Grateful Dead
Stole her land and then cashed in
There's a one-eyed dog
With horns like a yak,
Wax lips and a broken back
His feet in front face the opposite
Of his hind legs in the back
He tried to save that sandy girl
From the city man disease
But was stung to death
By all the pets
Of the man with the beard of bees
Oh, Sandyface
I do recall
Oh, Sandyface
I could not do it all!
Dr. Rock was on a jog
Saw my dear in the parking lot
Selling grilled cheese sandwiches
In hippy slavery
Dr. Rock tried to free my love
But he had no gun
So he dialed me collect
On 10-10-321
I got the call from Dr. Rock
Raced down to the scene
But Sandy had been swept away
Into the Rainbow Sea
Swim, swim away
Oh, Sandy
Swim so far away from him
Swim far away from this place
Just keep that sand on that face!
But it was too late....
I went back to that stinky place
Where I first met my Sandy, but
Whitey and his beard of bees
Had built a Pizza Hut
So I bought a slice in memory
Poured sand on the cheese
And as I ate
Off that sandy plate
I missed my one-eyed dog
And now it's over
The tide has washed her face
And now it's
Oh Sandyface
I do recall
Oh Sandyface
I could not
She lived outside of town
In a tent made of diapers
In the sand she laid face down
She had a pillow of cactus
And her bed was desert land
I suppose the call her Sandyface
Because her face was covered in sand
And I remember her sandy face
And I remember her sandy smile
That Sandy was the apple
Of many bloodshot eyes
And one day she fell victim
To a sheep in wolf's disguise
They said a man with banana bread
And a beehive on his chin
Sold my love to the Grateful Dead
Stole her land and then cashed in
There's a one-eyed dog
With horns like a yak,
Wax lips and a broken back
His feet in front face the opposite
Of his hind legs in the back
He tried to save that sandy girl
From the city man disease
But was stung to death
By all the pets
Of the man with the beard of bees
Oh, Sandyface
I do recall
Oh, Sandyface
I could not do it all!
Dr. Rock was on a jog
Saw my dear in the parking lot
Selling grilled cheese sandwiches
In hippy slavery
Dr. Rock tried to free my love
But he had no gun
So he dialed me collect
On 10-10-321
I got the call from Dr. Rock
Raced down to the scene
But Sandy had been swept away
Into the Rainbow Sea
Swim, swim away
Oh, Sandy
Swim so far away from him
Swim far away from this place
Just keep that sand on that face!
But it was too late....
I went back to that stinky place
Where I first met my Sandy, but
Whitey and his beard of bees
Had built a Pizza Hut
So I bought a slice in memory
Poured sand on the cheese
And as I ate
Off that sandy plate
I missed my one-eyed dog
And now it's over
The tide has washed her face
And now it's
Oh Sandyface
I do recall
Oh Sandyface
I could not
Lyrics submitted by evilmprss
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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/
What a stupid/random/GREAT song! The MC Bat Commander has an awesome voice, kind of reminds me of Danny Elfman in his Oingo Boingo days...