"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.
It's not the pale moon that excites me
That thrills and delights me
Oh no, it's just the nearness of you
It isn't your sweet conversation
That brings this sensation
Oh no, it's just the nearness of you
When you're in my arms
And I feel you so close to me
All my wildest dreams came true
I need no soft lights to enchant me
If you will only grant me
The right to hold you ever so tight
And to feel in the night
The nearness of you
That thrills and delights me
Oh no, it's just the nearness of you
It isn't your sweet conversation
That brings this sensation
Oh no, it's just the nearness of you
When you're in my arms
And I feel you so close to me
All my wildest dreams came true
I need no soft lights to enchant me
If you will only grant me
The right to hold you ever so tight
And to feel in the night
The nearness of you
Lyrics submitted by Lilbleu, edited by pimlicowinner
The Nearness of You Lyrics as written by Ned Washington Hoagy Carmichael
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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i don't know why people have to act like they know everything and burst people's bubbles. TONS of musicians do other peoples music. it's part of the biz. blah...sorry i had to say something b/c people are making nice comments..then some person has to come in here and say something rude to them b/c she doesnt "own" the song...who gives a crap. she does a great job with this song. and thats all there is to it.
I LOVE this song! I'm a singer myself, and this song is tons of fun to sing. It's upbeat, sweet, and romantic. Norah Jones has a way with words and, aside from "Don't Know Why", this is my favorite of all of her work. BUY HER CD! It's fantabulous!
this song is beautiful! its abosolutely wonderful! It's so graceful and the words are soothing and they very romantic! I Love it ! Buy the CD if you haven't !!
really cool song. but all of Norah's songs are cool. this one specific because it's so romantic and sweet and ... well, just listen to it ;)
Such a sweet song. Something I would like to dance to with the one I love.
.. again, not 'norah's song'.. it's a glenn miller cover.
I love this song. She did such a good job on this song. Her voice is so beautiful. Norah Jones is going to be around for quite awhile. I just know it.
what a beautiful song.. i love having that feeling where everything is new..and the nearness of that special person just gives you an amazing feeling inside..there's no other word to describe that feeling
For the record, the song was written by Hoagy Carmichael (who wrote Stardust and that song you always play on the piano, Heart and Soul, among many others). Ned Washington just did the lyrics. Glenn Miller and Sinatra just made it famous.
Covering songs and making them you own is an established tradition in jazz.
And thank God for tradition. i remember this from one of my father's reel to reel tapes. Faint memory, but thank you Norah for a beautiful song. Love the sound of a woman in love.