"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.
Dennis is a menace with his "anyone for tennis?"
And beseeching me to come and keep the score
And Maud saya "Oh Lord! I'm so terribly bored!"
I really can't stand it anymore
I'm going out to dinner, with a gorgeous singer
To a little place I've found down by the quay
Her name is Patricia, she calls herself Delicia
And the reason isn't very hard to see
She says God made her a sinner just to keep fat men thinner
As they tumble down in heaps before her feet
They hang around in groups like battle-weary troops
One can often see them queue right down the street
You see Patricia, or Delicia, not only is a singer
She also removes all her clothing
For Patricia is the best stripper in town
And with a swing of her hips she started to strip
To tremendous applause she took off her drawers
And with a lick of her lips she undid all the clips
Threw it all in the air, and everyone stared
And as the last piece of clothing fell to the floor
The police were banging on the door
On a Saturday night, in nineteen twenty-four
Take it away boys!
But poor Patricia was arrested and everyone detested
The manner in which she was exposed
And later on in court, well, everybody thought
A summer run in jail would be proposed
But the judge said, "Patricia
Or may I say, Delicia
The facts of this case lie before me
Case dismissed, this girl was in her working clothes!"
And with a swing of her hips, she started to strip
To tremendous applause she took off her drawers
And with a lick of her lips she undid all her clips
Threw it all in the air, and everyone stared
And as the last piece of clothing fell to the floor
The police were yelling out for more!
On a Saturday night in nineteen twenty-four
On a Saturday night in nineteen twenty-four
And beseeching me to come and keep the score
And Maud saya "Oh Lord! I'm so terribly bored!"
I really can't stand it anymore
I'm going out to dinner, with a gorgeous singer
To a little place I've found down by the quay
Her name is Patricia, she calls herself Delicia
And the reason isn't very hard to see
She says God made her a sinner just to keep fat men thinner
As they tumble down in heaps before her feet
They hang around in groups like battle-weary troops
One can often see them queue right down the street
You see Patricia, or Delicia, not only is a singer
She also removes all her clothing
For Patricia is the best stripper in town
And with a swing of her hips she started to strip
To tremendous applause she took off her drawers
And with a lick of her lips she undid all the clips
Threw it all in the air, and everyone stared
And as the last piece of clothing fell to the floor
The police were banging on the door
On a Saturday night, in nineteen twenty-four
Take it away boys!
But poor Patricia was arrested and everyone detested
The manner in which she was exposed
And later on in court, well, everybody thought
A summer run in jail would be proposed
But the judge said, "Patricia
Or may I say, Delicia
The facts of this case lie before me
Case dismissed, this girl was in her working clothes!"
And with a swing of her hips, she started to strip
To tremendous applause she took off her drawers
And with a lick of her lips she undid all her clips
Threw it all in the air, and everyone stared
And as the last piece of clothing fell to the floor
The police were yelling out for more!
On a Saturday night in nineteen twenty-four
On a Saturday night in nineteen twenty-four
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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.
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
2 words. Sick Song!