"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.
Do I have to put my handcuffs on you, mama?
Do I have to keep you under lock and key?
Do I have to put my handcuffs on you, mama?
Now we both know that's not how it should be
Do I have to put my handcuffs on you, mama?
You're a sweet, fine, sexy woman and you're good to a man
'Cause if I have to put my handcuffs on you, mama
I hope that you will understand
If I have to keep you barefoot and pregnant
To keep you here in my world
Get down and take off your shoes
Girl, I'm gonna do to you what it is I've got to do
If we've been bondin' like you say that we do
I think you won't mind if I'd be possessive, now would you?
Your creature lacked lovin', you know it is the flame
That's why I can ask you and not even feel ashamed
Do I have to put my handcuffs on you, mama?
Are you susceptible to flatter and game? Lord, we can game
Do I have to put my handcuffs on you, mama?
Will you submit to other humans that calls your name?
'Cause if I have to put my handcuffs on you, mama
Don't you know I know as that would be on que
Do I have to put my handcuffs on you, mama?
I don't mind , I'll put 'em on, you're being a fool
I don't care if I'm lookin' like a chauvinistic kind of whatever
Some kind, Carl, you can go to hell
Then if I find out I need some help
I'm gonna pull on out my chastity belt
What it is I've got to do
If we've been bondin' like you say that we do
Then you won't mind if I be possessive, now would you?
Your creature locked lovin', you know it's the flame
That's why I can ask you and not even feel ashamed
Do I have to put my handcuffs on you, mama?
Do I have to keep you under lock and key?
Do I have to put my handcuffs on you, mama?
Now we both know that's not how it should be
Do I have to put my handcuffs on you, mama?
Are you susceptible to flatter and game? Lord, we can game
Do I have to put my handcuffs on you, mama?
You're a sweet, fine, sexy woman and you're good to a man
Do I have to put my handcuffs on you, mama?
Do I have to keep you under lock and key?
Do I have to put my handcuffs on you, mama?
Now we both know that's not how it should be
Do I have to put my handcuffs on you, mama?
You're a sweet, fine, sexy woman and you're good to a man
'Cause if I have to put my handcuffs on you, mama
I hope that you will understand
If I have to keep you barefoot and pregnant
To keep you here in my world
Get down and take off your shoes
Girl, I'm gonna do to you what it is I've got to do
If we've been bondin' like you say that we do
I think you won't mind if I'd be possessive, now would you?
Your creature lacked lovin', you know it is the flame
That's why I can ask you and not even feel ashamed
Do I have to put my handcuffs on you, mama?
Are you susceptible to flatter and game? Lord, we can game
Do I have to put my handcuffs on you, mama?
Will you submit to other humans that calls your name?
'Cause if I have to put my handcuffs on you, mama
Don't you know I know as that would be on que
Do I have to put my handcuffs on you, mama?
I don't mind , I'll put 'em on, you're being a fool
I don't care if I'm lookin' like a chauvinistic kind of whatever
Some kind, Carl, you can go to hell
Then if I find out I need some help
I'm gonna pull on out my chastity belt
What it is I've got to do
If we've been bondin' like you say that we do
Then you won't mind if I be possessive, now would you?
Your creature locked lovin', you know it's the flame
That's why I can ask you and not even feel ashamed
Do I have to put my handcuffs on you, mama?
Do I have to keep you under lock and key?
Do I have to put my handcuffs on you, mama?
Now we both know that's not how it should be
Do I have to put my handcuffs on you, mama?
Are you susceptible to flatter and game? Lord, we can game
Do I have to put my handcuffs on you, mama?
You're a sweet, fine, sexy woman and you're good to a man
Do I have to put my handcuffs on you, mama?
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
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.
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,
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.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
Someone needs to proof read this song - I'm really unsure about a couple of the lyrics, mostly at the places where I put the question marks in parentheses.