"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 mistakes I've made
That cause pain
I could've done without
Oh my selfish thoughts
Oh my pride
The things I
You have forgotten about
They're all behind you
They'll never find you
They're on the ocean floor
Your sins are forgotten
They're on the bottom
Of the ocean floor
My misdeeds
Oh my grieve
The things that harm me now
They're not a pretty site to see
But they wipe away
By a mighty, mighty wave, mighty, mighty wave
They're behind you
They'll never find you
They're on the ocean floor
Your sins are forgotten
They're on the bottom
They're on the ocean floor
Your sins are erased
And they are no more
They're out on the ocean floor
Take them away
To return no more
Take them away
To the ocean floor, to the ocean floor
They're all behind you
They'll never find you
They're on the ocean floor
Your sins are forgotten
They're on the bottom
All on the ocean floor
Your sins are erased
They are no more
They're out on the ocean floor
Your sins are forgotten
They're on the bottom
They're on the ocean floor
Your sins are erased and
They are no more
They're on the ocean floor
That cause pain
I could've done without
Oh my selfish thoughts
Oh my pride
The things I
You have forgotten about
They're all behind you
They'll never find you
They're on the ocean floor
Your sins are forgotten
They're on the bottom
Of the ocean floor
My misdeeds
Oh my grieve
The things that harm me now
They're not a pretty site to see
But they wipe away
By a mighty, mighty wave, mighty, mighty wave
They're behind you
They'll never find you
They're on the ocean floor
Your sins are forgotten
They're on the bottom
They're on the ocean floor
Your sins are erased
And they are no more
They're out on the ocean floor
Take them away
To return no more
Take them away
To the ocean floor, to the ocean floor
They're all behind you
They'll never find you
They're on the ocean floor
Your sins are forgotten
They're on the bottom
All on the ocean floor
Your sins are erased
They are no more
They're out on the ocean floor
Your sins are forgotten
They're on the bottom
They're on the ocean floor
Your sins are erased and
They are no more
They're on the ocean floor
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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/
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 love audio a! this song is very awsome and it (along with all the other songs) makes me feel better... i'm so glad bands like these are around