"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.
The sun was in clouds, the sun looked out
Exposed a trail of mist and spouts
Ships followed the ancient lead
Deceiving friends under the sea
Wow, imagine that? they won't fight back
I got a theory on that
A whale's heart is as big as a car
A whaler's thought must be smudged by the dark
They won't fight back
I'm sure they know how
Means they love or are too proud
They won't fight back
I'm sure they know how
Means they love or too proud
They swim, it's really free
It's a beautiful thing to see
They sing
Hunters of land, hunters of sea
Exploit anything for money
I refer to anybody that takes advantage of what that is free
They won't fight back
It's only a thought that makes it seem right
What you don't see is because of your sight
Take what you want, kill what you can
That's just one way from the mind of man
Take their lives, sell their parts
But there is not taking of their hearts
If I was lost at sea
That harpoon boat in front of me
It's the whale I'd like to be
They won't fight back
They won't fight back
They won't fight back
They won't fight back
They won't fight back
They don't know how
They won't fight back
They won't fight back
They won't fight back.
Exposed a trail of mist and spouts
Ships followed the ancient lead
Deceiving friends under the sea
Wow, imagine that? they won't fight back
I got a theory on that
A whale's heart is as big as a car
A whaler's thought must be smudged by the dark
They won't fight back
I'm sure they know how
Means they love or are too proud
They won't fight back
I'm sure they know how
Means they love or too proud
They swim, it's really free
It's a beautiful thing to see
They sing
Hunters of land, hunters of sea
Exploit anything for money
I refer to anybody that takes advantage of what that is free
They won't fight back
It's only a thought that makes it seem right
What you don't see is because of your sight
Take what you want, kill what you can
That's just one way from the mind of man
Take their lives, sell their parts
But there is not taking of their hearts
If I was lost at sea
That harpoon boat in front of me
It's the whale I'd like to be
They won't fight back
They won't fight back
They won't fight back
They won't fight back
They won't fight back
They don't know how
They won't fight back
They won't fight back
They won't fight back.
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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/
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
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.
very great drummer wanted by almost everyone. not only does this song have great pj stuff but always reminds me of the connection jack had w/ hillel slovak (guitar player for rhcp jacks best friend)