"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.
Central scrutinizer:
We take you now to a garage in canoga park
(it makes its own sauce... if you add water)
It wasn't very large
There was just enough room to cram the drums
In the corner over by the dodge
It was a fifty-four
With a mashed up door
And a cheesy little amp
With a sign on the front said
"fender champ"
And a second-hand guitar
It was a stratocaster with a whammy bar
We could jam in joe's garage
His mama was screamin'
His dad was mad
We was playin' the same old song
In the afternoon 'n sometimes we would
Play it all night long
It was all we knew, 'n easy too
So we wouldn't get it wrong
All we did was bend the string like . . .
Hey!
Down in joe's garage
We didn't have no dope or lsd
But a coupla quartsa beer
Would fix it so the intonation
Would not offend yer ear
And the same old chords goin' over 'n over
Became a symphony
We could play it again 'n again 'n again
'Cause it sounded good to me
One more time!
We could jam in joe's garage
His mama was screamin',
"turn it down!"
We was playin' the same old song
In the afternoon 'n sometimes we would
Play it all night long
It was all we knew, 'n easy too
So we wouldn't get it wrong
Even if you played it on a saxophone
We thought we was pretty good
We talked about keepin' the band together
'n we figured that we should
'cause about this time we was gettin' the eye
From the girls in the neighborhood
They'd all come over 'n dance around like . . .
So we picked out a stupid name
Had some cards printed up for a coupla bucks
'n we was on our way to fame
Got matching suits
'n beattle boots
'n a sign on the back of the car
'n we was ready to work in a go-go bar
One two three four
Let's see if you've got some more!
People seemed to like our song
They got up 'n danced 'n made a lotta noise
An' it wasn't 'fore very long
A guy from a company we can't name
Said we oughta take his pen
'n sign on the line for a real good time
But he didn't tell us when
These "good times" would be somethin'
That was really happenin'
So the band broke up
An' it looks like
We will never play again...
Guess you only get one chance in life
To play a song that goes like...
Turn it down!
Turn it down!
I have children sleeping here . . .
Don't you boys know any nice songs?
Well the years was rollin' by
Heavy metal 'n glitter rock
Had caught the public eye
Snotty boys with lipstick on
Was really flyin' high
'n then they got that disco thing
'n new wave came along
'n all of a sudden I thought the time
Had come for that old song
We used to play in "joe's garage"
And if I am not wrong
You will soon be dancin' to the . . .
Central scrutinizer:
The white zone is for loading and unloading only.
If you gotta load or unload, go to the white zone...
I said the years was rollin' by, yeah
The years was rollin' by...
I'm calling the police!
So the years was rollin' by...
I did it!
So the years was rollin' by...
They'll be here... shortly!
By, by, the years was rollin' by...
This is the police...
I'm not joking around anymore!
Come out!
We have the garage surrounded
The years was rollin' by...
Give yourself up
We will not harm you
Or hurt you, neither
I said the years was rollin' by . . .
You'll see now!
There they are, they're coming!
This is the police
Give yourself up
We will not harm you
The years was rollin' by . . .
Listen to that mess, would you!
This is the police
Give yourself up
We have the garage surrounded
Every day this goes on around here!
The years was rollin' by...
We will not harm you
Or maim you
(swat team 4, move in!)
The years was rollin' by . . .
He used to cut my grass . . .
He was a very nice boy . . .
This is the police
Come out with your hands up
This is the central scrutinizer . . .
That was joe's first confrontation with the law.
Naturally, we were easy on him.
One of our friendly counselors gave him
A do-nut . . . and told him to
Stick closer to church-oriented social activities.
We take you now to a garage in canoga park
(it makes its own sauce... if you add water)
It wasn't very large
There was just enough room to cram the drums
In the corner over by the dodge
It was a fifty-four
With a mashed up door
And a cheesy little amp
With a sign on the front said
"fender champ"
And a second-hand guitar
It was a stratocaster with a whammy bar
We could jam in joe's garage
His mama was screamin'
His dad was mad
We was playin' the same old song
In the afternoon 'n sometimes we would
Play it all night long
It was all we knew, 'n easy too
So we wouldn't get it wrong
All we did was bend the string like . . .
Hey!
Down in joe's garage
We didn't have no dope or lsd
But a coupla quartsa beer
Would fix it so the intonation
Would not offend yer ear
And the same old chords goin' over 'n over
Became a symphony
We could play it again 'n again 'n again
'Cause it sounded good to me
One more time!
We could jam in joe's garage
His mama was screamin',
"turn it down!"
We was playin' the same old song
In the afternoon 'n sometimes we would
Play it all night long
It was all we knew, 'n easy too
So we wouldn't get it wrong
Even if you played it on a saxophone
We thought we was pretty good
We talked about keepin' the band together
'n we figured that we should
'cause about this time we was gettin' the eye
From the girls in the neighborhood
They'd all come over 'n dance around like . . .
So we picked out a stupid name
Had some cards printed up for a coupla bucks
'n we was on our way to fame
Got matching suits
'n beattle boots
'n a sign on the back of the car
'n we was ready to work in a go-go bar
One two three four
Let's see if you've got some more!
People seemed to like our song
They got up 'n danced 'n made a lotta noise
An' it wasn't 'fore very long
A guy from a company we can't name
Said we oughta take his pen
'n sign on the line for a real good time
But he didn't tell us when
These "good times" would be somethin'
That was really happenin'
So the band broke up
An' it looks like
We will never play again...
Guess you only get one chance in life
To play a song that goes like...
Turn it down!
Turn it down!
I have children sleeping here . . .
Don't you boys know any nice songs?
Well the years was rollin' by
Heavy metal 'n glitter rock
Had caught the public eye
Snotty boys with lipstick on
Was really flyin' high
'n then they got that disco thing
'n new wave came along
'n all of a sudden I thought the time
Had come for that old song
We used to play in "joe's garage"
And if I am not wrong
You will soon be dancin' to the . . .
Central scrutinizer:
The white zone is for loading and unloading only.
If you gotta load or unload, go to the white zone...
I said the years was rollin' by, yeah
The years was rollin' by...
I'm calling the police!
So the years was rollin' by...
I did it!
So the years was rollin' by...
They'll be here... shortly!
By, by, the years was rollin' by...
This is the police...
I'm not joking around anymore!
Come out!
We have the garage surrounded
The years was rollin' by...
Give yourself up
We will not harm you
Or hurt you, neither
I said the years was rollin' by . . .
You'll see now!
There they are, they're coming!
This is the police
Give yourself up
We will not harm you
The years was rollin' by . . .
Listen to that mess, would you!
This is the police
Give yourself up
We have the garage surrounded
Every day this goes on around here!
The years was rollin' by...
We will not harm you
Or maim you
(swat team 4, move in!)
The years was rollin' by . . .
He used to cut my grass . . .
He was a very nice boy . . .
This is the police
Come out with your hands up
This is the central scrutinizer . . .
That was joe's first confrontation with the law.
Naturally, we were easy on him.
One of our friendly counselors gave him
A do-nut . . . and told him to
Stick closer to church-oriented social activities.
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More Featured Meanings
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.
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/
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
I remember many times when me and a few of my friends would just hang out in my garage and jam, we'd try to play something cool, but none of us were any good, so someone would just end up yelling "hey, let's play Smells Like Teen Spirit!" And then we would, despite how none of us actually liked the song. A toast to good times with friends, no matter how.